Posted by Jim WI on March 09, 1998 at 11:30:45:
In Reply to: Re: Is a Narrow Front less stable? posted by Denny on March 09, 1998 at 06:56:24:
: Regarding theory, center of gravity is the key. If a vertical line running through the
: center of gravity passes close to the bottom of the rear wheel, the tractor is going to tip.
: The wide front does not give any protection when the tractor begins to tip as it is on a
: free pivot. My advice to tractor buyers, don't believe that the wide front will give you
: any more safety - only common sense will do that.
Almost right. ;)
If the vertical line running through the center of gravity is outside of the polygon formed by lines connecting the contact patches of all of the tires the tractor will tip.
On a narrow front tractor, the lines pretty much form a triangle. On a wide-front tractor the lines form something resembling a rectangle. Towards the front of the tractor is where the most difference between the rectangle and the triangle is present. All else being equal, the wide front will be more stable because of this difference. Of course, more stable doesn't mean you can't tip it.