So how safe are we?

A very common reason for the flip over is the load pulling above the center of gravity. The first Fordson tractors were known for flip-over because the "drawbar" was mounted on the back of the differential. This naturally put the "point of pull" above the center of gravity. This way, if the load got hung up, like a plow getting caught on a root or rock, or when trying to pull something like a stump, that first gear is low enough to provide the torque to make that tractor swing up and over with the axis being the rear axle.

The three-point hitch can provide the same set up. That is why one should NEVER pull anything from that third hitch point...it is way above the center of gravity. It IS why you should always pull from the drawbar. Also, when pulling from the three-point hitch itself, the center of gravity can get too high if the hitch is operated in a high position or if the geometry of the three-point hitch pulls above the center of gravity.

I have a Farmall 300 with three point and a drawbar. It is a wonderful, stable tractor. The only thing the three point gets used for is using equipment intended for the three point. When I "pull", I pull with the drawbar.

In short, if it doesn't look safe, then it probably isn't.

While the phrase 'Center of Gravity' is probably well understood, it is not the correct phrase here. The center of gravity of the tractor is not an issue.

If you imagine a tractor with a variable hitch height, imagine a tractor with a hitch height (pick a number, say 20 feet) that high in the air.

Wouldn`t take much pull toward the rear to lift the front of the tractor off the ground.

Start lowering the hitch height, and the result is that more pull would be needed to lift the front end. The effect continues until the hitch point reaches the ground.

Lowering the hitch height below the rear axle, there is nothing magical that happens.

Lowering the hitch height to ground level is the ultimate loss of lifting effect. Raising the hitch height anything above ground level causes a decrease in weight on the front wheels as pulling force is applied.

If you could actually lower the hitch point below the surface of the ground, pulling force would actually put more weight on the front wheels, transferring weight from the rear wheels.

It's just that lowering the hitch height as much as possible will usually cause the tractor to lose traction before enough weight is taken off the front wheels to cause them to lift off the ground.

I had a gooseneck grain trailer that one time I had 300 bushell of corn on and attempted to pull it (Slightly) uphill in soft ground behind a Deere 4230. The hitch was a little higher than when the trailer was hitched to the fifth wheel in the pickup. I had ten suitcase weights on the front of the 4230 and could not pull the trailer. All the pull and weight of the trailer on the hitch was above the level of the 3 point arms in the raised position.

Any pulling force I applied would lift the front of the tractor before the trailer moved.

Factory made hitch for the trailer and very dangerous. Good only for moving the trailer when empty.

DMH