Sam, this is an excellent video in which you talk about tractor counterweight and rollover. It hits me hard because I found out the hard way. I rolled my Kobota B2301 over six weeks ago. I spent three days in a hospital, and I am in a sling for six weeks for the rotor cuff repair. You explained wheels being turned and uneven ground, Exactly what happened to me. I have a new respect for my Kobota! Thank you for this video. Jim
So sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you have a speedy recovery 🙏 I really hope someone will see this and it will prevent an accident like yours ❤️
I have a lot of hills in my yard, and if I have the backhoe off going downhill, the rear gets light, and if you are in 2 wheel drive, NO BRAKES! BRAKES IN REAR ONLY! Great video as usual!
SAM is twisted up today!!!!!!! Agreed on all points for sure. I run spacers on my B2601 for mowing and plowing snow as the chains will hang up on the fenders. Great advise on lifting and ballast. I am never without some ballast during operations, a ballast box or at least my box blade as well as loaded tires.
Howdy Sam, well said. It reminds me of so many people who add a ton of horsepower to their car's engine then blow out the rear-end or the transmission, lack the stopping power because brake system is now undersized, etc. Point is, there is no problem to beef up the lift capacity but you better modify everything else otherwise things just may go very badly. Also, not many people realize that if you have too much rear ballast your tractor becomes vulnerable to flip over backwards, and yes it has happens.
So true! Every bit of it. I mean seriously, at what point do we all just admit, we need a bigger machine. Better to get the right tool for the job or we risk hurting the tractor or worse yet, ourselves. Thank you as always 😁👍
I haven't check specs etc like you have, but in site prep for my garage, I moved a lot of dirt and stone. Yep, my rear wheels came off the ground quite a few times! I didn't built a ballast box like you did, but I attached the box blade and added a couple cement blocks on the box blade. Made a big difference!
Not only is there the safety issue, also the loader lift arms are only built to lift the rated weight of the loader. If you turn up the hydraulics you will be over torqueing the loader lift arms and pivot points. My son has a welding shop in Northern Wisconsin and he has had several tractors come in with loader over stressing issues. It doesn't matter what color they are. A green one came in with the loader arm ripped completely out of the pivot pin. Great video!
Well, they are designed to take more than the rated load limit, but yes, I agree, they have a limit, and changing the hydraulics and such will definitely cause some issues if you aren't careful....This is one reason I won't shim my tractor, nor will I be buying those larger hydraulic cylinders for the loader. If I want to lift more, I know where to get a larger tractor, or a skid steer, or excavator, etc. LOL.
Well said, I saw Johns video and I was also concerned with that move based on that tractors operating specs. Makes for great content but like you said it can also be very dangerous. Love your video and informative content. Be well.
The tractor we have is a bit bigger than your BX, it’s an MX. The same principles apply. It came with a 600 kg 3 point counter weight and water in the rear tyres. It doesn’t get very cold where the tractor is, water will not freeze overnight. Generally the counter weight is on the back when the loader is on the front. I tried the loader once without the counter weight and I’m pretty sure the rear wheels lifted off the ground. When mowing i take the loader off. I prefer using the tractor without the loader.
The spacers do actually help when using the loaders. I hear what your saying about the front pivot, but the wheels being spaced apart on the rear do give you a fulcrum effect as well to the side. That would be like saying a single rear wheel would have the same stability as a tractor with wheels 10 feet apart.
Very true. I should have been more clear. I was referring to when the rear wheels come off the ground if you don't have enough ballast, but yes, you're absolutely right. If they stay on the ground, the added width does result in stability 😁👍
Very well said Sam. All valid points. My way of thinking is tractor manufacturers spend years and a ton of money in research and development when manufacturing a product. They set specifications and limits for many reasons such as operator safety, manufacturers liability, and tractor longevity, amongst other things. I don't claim to know more about a product than the manufacturers know so I do my best to reasonably stay within the manufacturers recommended specifications. This can also be said with the maintenance of my tractor, I use recommended oils, filters, and lubricants, not what my neighbors second cousin Jerry's farmer friend uses. But that's just me. Keep the good content coming and of course stay safe!
All well said and I couldn't agree more. Someone way more qualified than me made those decisions, so I also choose to follow the manufacturer's guidelines 😁👍
Not exactly the same situation, but I had a near miss recently when I removed my loader and backed out of a sea can with the backhoe on. Ballast and balance are very important factors when it comes to tractors. The video is in my channel if you want to have a look. Thanks for sharing Sam. Cheers, Mike.
Thank you for the comment Mike! I will definitely check it out 😁👍... actually I'm pretty sure I saw it on Good Works Tractors. I think he did a reaction video to it.
Most of the YT subcompact tractor videos show these tractors on flat land with nice loose soil. I'm on the side of the mountain in rocky terrain. Digging involves moving rocks heavier than 300 lbs. Yet they sell a LOT of these small tractors in my area - well... at least the dealers have a ton of them on their lots (especially now). I don't get it.
Great video with very informative information. I have a better understanding so thank you. I have found without ballast, my BX has gotten squirrelly so ballast is on the most have list. Moving dirt this past weekend, front tire pressure is also important. I also wear my seatbelt (surprisingly) because of the bumps and slopes of my land.
Wooo how many times have I had my back wheels off the ground! Go to a rock quarry and watch the loaders there, I've loaded myself and I have had one of those come off the ground!! I did put spacers on my bx after I put a canopy on I bought from my dealer, it's heavy , I could push on my ropes and get one wheel off the ground just by rocking it, mowing hit a small hole or slight angle it would spin one wheel! 1.5" spacers and it helped with that, but picking up a load too high, driving too fast with the load, your right they don't help with that, depending on what I'm doing is how I decided what implement will be on the back of the bx!!
All so true 👍 The spacers are good. Don't get me wrong. To qualify, I'm really talking about spacers without proper ballast, of course. But nothing beats a skilled operator with good safety practices 😁👍 Thank you!
Great info, true it is a lot about feel and experience. It very tempting to push beyond limits, I think folks want max potential at the ready, however, do we need it? Like you state. It’s a tiny tractor, useful, but tiny.
Hello, I’m a new subscriber I have a bx23s I’ve only had since aug? But I do have a Kubota grand L3830 no cab loader the works since 2015 and an old 8n since like 2000 any how my point is I’ve got lots of seat time and pucker factor? I’ve bought the bx for little jobs around my property hence the backhoe aprox? Wt. 600 ish pounds and I get the narrow width of these machines but first thing I noticed was how tippy it felt most of my land is semi flat except ditches and I have 5 ponds to work around? I’ve bought wheel spacers I have not put on yet I wanted to feel this tractor out first I’m definitely a fan of ballast ! I’m concerned is I have a 19 yr old daughter that wants to help plow this winter ? I’ll be honest I’d let any one (while just about any one) jump on my bigger tractor the wheels on it are offset (have adjustable rims and rim guard in tires) these tractors are super stable amazingly? But this bx is tippy scary tippy I believe for snow removal I’ll definitely put spacers on so I agree with you about mowing with spacers but I believe snow plowing is another tippy place for spacers we push a lot of snow into the ditches at angles and easy to slide into them ? I agree with you on lift capability I wish not to increase mine just for where and tear and carrying more your spot on mine is more than enough power ? Ok just my thoughts and I believe the wheel spacers are good just for driving around especially near my ponds even with out a load in the bucket? I’ll let you know more after I install them but I’ve been on the fence because of not wanting to hurt my machine but after a couple months and almost 100 hrs I’m convinced I’m going to install ok thanks look forward to watching your channel more ? I’m planning on putting a make shift cab on mine either golf cart cover or I was looking at them make one for reg 4 wheelers little more more but looks like it would go on fast we will see ! Thanks just my 2 cents Chad from north west PA !
Hey neighbor! Welcome to the channel 😁 👍 Lots of good points there. I didn't even think about plowing snow. Especially if you're using the loader to lift it out of the way. Stay safe 🙏
Something else to add that you left out. You add all that weight to that tractor, you better figure out how to stop it safely. The brakes on the tractor are only in the back....the front don't brake at all unless you are in 4WD then the transmission will help slow you down with all 4 wheels, but, keep in mind you got the weight of that tractor, ballast, and whatever you got hanging off that loader to slow down and stop. 1200lbs+ is a lot of weight to slow down and stop safely with a machine that small....hills are a huge factor in this. It don't take much of a bump, or a hill to get one of these little tractors off balance.
Sam, this is an excellent video in which you talk about tractor counterweight and rollover. It hits me hard because I found out the hard way. I rolled my Kobota B2301 over six weeks ago. I spent three days in a hospital, and I am in a sling for six weeks for the rotor cuff repair. You explained wheels being turned and uneven ground, Exactly what happened to me. I have a new respect for my Kobota! Thank you for this video. Jim
So sorry to hear about your accident. Hope you have a speedy recovery 🙏 I really hope someone will see this and it will prevent an accident like yours ❤️
I have a lot of hills in my yard, and if I have the backhoe off going downhill, the rear gets light, and if you are in 2 wheel drive, NO BRAKES! BRAKES IN REAR ONLY! Great video as usual!
Thank you! Just wanted everyone to be safe out there. We're all worth more than our tractors ❤️😁👍
SAM is twisted up today!!!!!!! Agreed on all points for sure. I run spacers on my B2601 for mowing and plowing snow as the chains will hang up on the fenders. Great advise on lifting and ballast. I am never without some ballast during operations, a ballast box or at least my box blade as well as loaded tires.
Thank you! I sincerely hope this video helps keep operators safe 😁👍
Common sense with science. Great info.
Thank you! I really hope this helps somebody out there 😁👍
Howdy Sam, well said. It reminds me of so many people who add a ton of horsepower to their car's engine then blow out the rear-end or the transmission, lack the stopping power because brake system is now undersized, etc. Point is, there is no problem to beef up the lift capacity but you better modify everything else otherwise things just may go very badly.
Also, not many people realize that if you have too much rear ballast your tractor becomes vulnerable to flip over backwards, and yes it has happens.
So true! Every bit of it. I mean seriously, at what point do we all just admit, we need a bigger machine. Better to get the right tool for the job or we risk hurting the tractor or worse yet, ourselves. Thank you as always 😁👍
Outstanding information.
Thank you! 😁👍
I haven't check specs etc like you have, but in site prep for my garage, I moved a lot of dirt and stone. Yep, my rear wheels came off the ground quite a few times! I didn't built a ballast box like you did, but I attached the box blade and added a couple cement blocks on the box blade. Made a big difference!
Thank you! It definitely makes a difference. And you're right, it doesn't have to be a box. Implements will do the job 😁👍
Not only is there the safety issue, also the loader lift arms are only built to lift the rated weight of the loader. If you turn up the hydraulics you will be over torqueing the loader lift arms and pivot points. My son has a welding shop in Northern Wisconsin and he has had several tractors come in with loader over stressing issues. It doesn't matter what color they are. A green one came in with the loader arm ripped completely out of the pivot pin. Great video!
Thank you! Yes, great point. Everything has its breaking point. 😁👍
Well, they are designed to take more than the rated load limit, but yes, I agree, they have a limit, and changing the hydraulics and such will definitely cause some issues if you aren't careful....This is one reason I won't shim my tractor, nor will I be buying those larger hydraulic cylinders for the loader. If I want to lift more, I know where to get a larger tractor, or a skid steer, or excavator, etc. LOL.
Well said, I saw Johns video and I was also concerned with that move based on that tractors operating specs. Makes for great content but like you said it can also be very dangerous. Love your video and informative content. Be well.
Thank you so very much! My hope is really to help others to be safe and informed 😁👍
Hey Sam I filled my tires myself with an air to fluid valve, and used RV antifreeze from lowes. Big difference.
Very good! It's so important 😁👍
can't believe i over looked that stuff. great vid sam.
Thank you! So glad I could help 😁👍
The tractor we have is a bit bigger than your BX, it’s an MX. The same principles apply. It came with a 600 kg 3 point counter weight and water in the rear tyres. It doesn’t get very cold where the tractor is, water will not freeze overnight.
Generally the counter weight is on the back when the loader is on the front. I tried the loader once without the counter weight and I’m pretty sure the rear wheels lifted off the ground. When mowing i take the loader off. I prefer using the tractor without the loader.
Very good point. This principle applies to all size machines and not just tractors 😁👍
The spacers do actually help when using the loaders. I hear what your saying about the front pivot, but the wheels being spaced apart on the rear do give you a fulcrum effect as well to the side. That would be like saying a single rear wheel would have the same stability as a tractor with wheels 10 feet apart.
Very true. I should have been more clear. I was referring to when the rear wheels come off the ground if you don't have enough ballast, but yes, you're absolutely right. If they stay on the ground, the added width does result in stability 😁👍
Well said!
Thank you! 😁👍
Very well said Sam. All valid points. My way of thinking is tractor manufacturers spend years and a ton of money in research and development when manufacturing a product. They set specifications and limits for many reasons such as operator safety, manufacturers liability, and tractor longevity, amongst other things. I don't claim to know more about a product than the manufacturers know so I do my best to reasonably stay within the manufacturers recommended specifications. This can also be said with the maintenance of my tractor, I use recommended oils, filters, and lubricants, not what my neighbors second cousin Jerry's farmer friend uses. But that's just me. Keep the good content coming and of course stay safe!
All well said and I couldn't agree more. Someone way more qualified than me made those decisions, so I also choose to follow the manufacturer's guidelines 😁👍
Great video Sam so much info thank you. Lots of good advice here.
Thank you! So glad it was helpful 😁👍
@@samsdoinstuff keep at it brother 🦾🪓🧬
Not exactly the same situation, but I had a near miss recently when I removed my loader and backed out of a sea can with the backhoe on. Ballast and balance are very important factors when it comes to tractors. The video is in my channel if you want to have a look. Thanks for sharing Sam. Cheers, Mike.
Thank you for the comment Mike! I will definitely check it out 😁👍... actually I'm pretty sure I saw it on Good Works Tractors. I think he did a reaction video to it.
@@samsdoinstuff yes sir! Good Works got it out to the masses.
Most of the YT subcompact tractor videos show these tractors on flat land with nice loose soil. I'm on the side of the mountain in rocky terrain. Digging involves moving rocks heavier than 300 lbs. Yet they sell a LOT of these small tractors in my area - well... at least the dealers have a ton of them on their lots (especially now). I don't get it.
Absolutely. If you want to do more work, it's best to buy a bigger machine 😁👍
Great video with very informative information. I have a better understanding so thank you.
I have found without ballast, my BX has gotten squirrelly so ballast is on the most have list.
Moving dirt this past weekend, front tire pressure is also important.
I also wear my seatbelt (surprisingly) because of the bumps and slopes of my land.
All great safety practices. Make it a habit and you won't get bit. Thank you very much 😁👍
Nice information Sam! , I have rim guard in my rear tires on my 2019 B2301 + I have a backhoe on it, about 800lbs for backhoe alone. I’m good
Thank you! Yup, you are good sir 😁👍
Wooo how many times have I had my back wheels off the ground! Go to a rock quarry and watch the loaders there, I've loaded myself and I have had one of those come off the ground!! I did put spacers on my bx after I put a canopy on I bought from my dealer, it's heavy , I could push on my ropes and get one wheel off the ground just by rocking it, mowing hit a small hole or slight angle it would spin one wheel! 1.5" spacers and it helped with that, but picking up a load too high, driving too fast with the load, your right they don't help with that, depending on what I'm doing is how I decided what implement will be on the back of the bx!!
All so true 👍 The spacers are good. Don't get me wrong. To qualify, I'm really talking about spacers without proper ballast, of course. But nothing beats a skilled operator with good safety practices 😁👍 Thank you!
Great info, true it is a lot about feel and experience. It very tempting to push beyond limits, I think folks want max potential at the ready, however, do we need it? Like you state. It’s a tiny tractor, useful, but tiny.
Thank you! There's just a point where we need a bigger machine 😁👍
Great video and i agree 200%
Thank you 😁👍
Hello, I’m a new subscriber I have a bx23s I’ve only had since aug? But I do have a Kubota grand L3830 no cab loader the works since 2015 and an old 8n since like 2000 any how my point is I’ve got lots of seat time and pucker factor? I’ve bought the bx for little jobs around my property hence the backhoe aprox? Wt. 600 ish pounds and I get the narrow width of these machines but first thing I noticed was how tippy it felt most of my land is semi flat except ditches and I have 5 ponds to work around? I’ve bought wheel spacers I have not put on yet I wanted to feel this tractor out first I’m definitely a fan of ballast ! I’m concerned is I have a 19 yr old daughter that wants to help plow this winter ? I’ll be honest I’d let any one (while just about any one) jump on my bigger tractor the wheels on it are offset (have adjustable rims and rim guard in tires) these tractors are super stable amazingly? But this bx is tippy scary tippy I believe for snow removal I’ll definitely put spacers on so I agree with you about mowing with spacers but I believe snow plowing is another tippy place for spacers we push a lot of snow into the ditches at angles and easy to slide into them ? I agree with you on lift capability I wish not to increase mine just for where and tear and carrying more your spot on mine is more than enough power ? Ok just my thoughts and I believe the wheel spacers are good just for driving around especially near my ponds even with out a load in the bucket? I’ll let you know more after I install them but I’ve been on the fence because of not wanting to hurt my machine but after a couple months and almost 100 hrs I’m convinced I’m going to install ok thanks look forward to watching your channel more ? I’m planning on putting a make shift cab on mine either golf cart cover or I was looking at them make one for reg 4 wheelers little more more but looks like it would go on fast we will see ! Thanks just my 2 cents Chad from north west PA !
Hey neighbor! Welcome to the channel 😁 👍 Lots of good points there. I didn't even think about plowing snow. Especially if you're using the loader to lift it out of the way. Stay safe 🙏
Something else to add that you left out. You add all that weight to that tractor, you better figure out how to stop it safely. The brakes on the tractor are only in the back....the front don't brake at all unless you are in 4WD then the transmission will help slow you down with all 4 wheels, but, keep in mind you got the weight of that tractor, ballast, and whatever you got hanging off that loader to slow down and stop. 1200lbs+ is a lot of weight to slow down and stop safely with a machine that small....hills are a huge factor in this.
It don't take much of a bump, or a hill to get one of these little tractors off balance.
Very good point! And if the ground is muddy and slippery... well, you know! 😁👍