'51 JD A with tricycle front - what is safe operation

c.d.1951 · Jun 20, 2018

1951 John Deere A with Roll-o-Matic & novice driver here, what is the safe operating limits climbing hill angle and side hill angle to avoid front lift off and side roll over.It's not mentioned in owners operator's manual. Thank You from Hillsboro New Hampshire.

FBH44 · Jun 20, 2018

Don't do it. If you are planning to take it to the max angle, and you think you can find out what that angle is, you will probably be pulling some mower implement, and it might shift at the last minute and suddenly you go from same-safe to ROLL-OVER! You can get killed quick. Get a tractor with roll-over protection, and then DON'T DO IT.

PJH · Jun 20, 2018

I agree with fbh44. Just when you think everything is going good, something as simple as a box turtle under the uphill wheel will ruin you. There are too many variables to discuss this issue over the internet, such as wheel spacing, ballast, and various implement possibilities.

LSBull · Jun 20, 2018

In western MA, like NH, there were a LOT of side hills that needed to be mowed. I did a lot of them with a #5 mower on a 50 B. Always mowed one way on the modest slopes with the cutter bar above me, and mowed down and up hill when possible instead. Have to be careful with a side delivery rake. A woodchuck hole can be a BAD deal! Raked up and down also when possible. And be VERY careful if you have a big baler (like an old New Holland 66). It will push you down hill and up hill the weight on the drawbar will make the front wheels VERY light on the ground. I suspect an A may be a little easier to deal with because it is heavier but..Be careful!

old · Jun 20, 2018

Well a lot depends on how brave you are. If it feels unsafe to you then it is likely to be unsafe. Years ago a friend of mine let his cousin borrow an 8N to brush hog with. He told the guy not to drive it along the hill but he did not listen. Tractor slide sideways into a tree and caught to tree in the clutch pedal area and spun it 180 degrees. Busted up the guys knee pretty good. Tractor came to a stop wit h the front wheel a good 18 inch off the ground and clutch side rear tire 6 inches off the ground. Only thing that saved him from rolling it over was the tree. Took me 2 days of pulling and getting it turned around so it could be driven off that hill. Had to get it spun around 90 degrees and then pulled off the tree and up the hill 20 of so feet to get it away from the tree

BushogPapa · Jun 20, 2018

On fairly smooth hillsides, I call 30 Degrees about my limit, but mine have loaded rear tires...probably 80" across the rear treads...

Narrow fronts are not that bad, but weights and rear wheel width dictate limits..(minus driver incompetence)..

mdross · Jun 21, 2018

Of course there is the front end loader issue stay away from that also especially on a side hill with load in bucket. Years ago a neighbor rolled his JD with tricycle front end loader and a large rock. He got hurt bad partly because of his age.

'51 JD A with tricycle front - what is safe operation

c.d.1951

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FBH44

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PJH

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LSBull

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old

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BushogPapa

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mdross

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