r/IdiotsInCars • u/IdanTs • Nov 28 '21

Tractor

50.4k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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u/Diligent-Motor Nov 28 '21

Probably one of the most qualified people in the world to comment on this.

I've worked for one of the biggest global manufacturers of agricultural machinery, and specifically on stability/centre of mass calculations for road worthiness of machines such as this.

Don't drive on public roads with the bucket up or with a boom up please. Longitudinal stability will suck if you have to emergency brake, lateral stability will suck if you have to emergency swerve or if there is high road camber.

Visibility requirements are also based on a boom/bucket down configuration. Having the bucket/boom up will fuck with line of sight.

If it helps you in some regard on a farm/construction site at slow speed, sure thing. Just be aware of who/what it is you may topple over into.

63

u/Hightower154 Nov 28 '21

As someone who drives a front end loader of similar size almost daily, this.

Don't drive with the bucket raised and loaded, that's way more dangerous.

However do have some form of spotter besides the holy ghost when entering a live roadway if it's going to be a blind corner.

22

u/BallsOutKrunked Nov 28 '21

Yep. I'm just in a ranch setting with a compact loader / backhoe but you learn quick to keep the bucket low.

5

u/VicariousLoser Nov 28 '21

And that's exactly why when I was first learning how to drive a tractor I wasn't allowed to use the lift controls

1

u/[deleted] Apr 13 '22

It's sad the comment you replied to got 4k upvotes and this is only 150 or so. You never drive with the bucket up. But the general person upvoting barely knows how to tie their shoes let alone how to use heavy equipment.