University studies obviously can vary. The one I did myself as an ag engineering undergrad (meaning nothing was published) showed a measurable difference in favor of the wide front. The model for both narrow and wide front tractors had the machine setting on a three-point base - the two back wheels and a single point at the front. However, on the wide front the single point was elevated to the height of the axle oscillation point whereas on the narrow front it was on the ground plane. A line from this point to either rear tire defines the "tipping axis" of the tractor. A "stability index" of 100 was defined as when the loads on the rear wheels were equal (assuming the CG is located on the centerline plane) and an index of 0 was when either rear wheel became completely unloaded.
Having this front point elevated means that when turning the centrifugal force acting on the center of gravity has a shorter "lever arm" to work with about the tipping axis which results in less weight being transferred off of the inner wheel. Likewise, when the tractor is operating on an incline the CG point will cross over this tipping axis sooner if it is along the ground vs. being elevated. The farther forward the CG is the more stability benefit you get from a wide front.
Although it wasn't considered in the study the wide front also gives you a "last chance" to stop tipping when the axle pivot bottoms out. I personally experienced this once with a Kubota when backing up with the loader bucket full of rocks. One rear tire started climbing up a six inch high ledge and kept on heading up until the front axle bottomed out. Dumped the bucket and the tire came back to earth. In a higher speed situation, however, you may have enough momentum to flip the tractor on over anyway which is why this wasn't factored into the stability index equation.
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]
Today's Featured Article - Trenching With a Plow - by Staff. Introduction: This interesting information came from one of the discussion forums here at YT. We thought we should place it up front so it could be read by anyone interested in putting old iron to work. [Editor] I tried something new today, and it worked so well I thought I should post it - in case it might help someone else. I'm running 100 yards of 4" drain pipe from the gutter downspouts of our house to a pond down the hill. This should hel
... [Read Article]
Latest Ad:
1964 I-H 140 tractor with cultivators and sidedresser. Starts and runs good. Asking 2650. CALL RON AT 502-319-1952
[More Ads]
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
