Stupid Question of the Day

[WKPoor]

I got a stupid question. When the placard says "DO NOT OVERLOAD" How does one know when he or she is overloading. Its not like there is an overload gauge or anything like that. The only way I would know you could tell would be if I had a manifold pressure gauge to tell me. Other machines I've operated that loading is needed to know have a manifold gauge. Seems silly to warn the operator without giving the operator a means to know. So there is my stupid question of the day!

[beaconlight]

The only stupid question is the one you did not ask.
Bill

[George Willer]

The obvious answer is: if the tractor can't pull it without excessive wheel spin, it's an overload. It works for simple machines like Cubs.

[Dale51]

I got a stupid question. When the placard says "DO NOT OVERLOAD" How does one know when he or she is overloading. Its not like there is an overload gauge or anything like that. The only way I would know you could tell would be if I had a manifold pressure gauge to tell me. Other machines I've operated that loading is needed to know have a manifold gauge. Seems silly to warn the operator without giving the operator a means to know. So there is my stupid question of the day!

General rule if weighs more than the machine your using it is overload.

['Country' Elliott]

The Cub is a "mighty" little tractor that can pull its weight and MORE ! As an example, my '48 Cub will pull my 2 axel 6' X 12' trailer (loaded with 3 buckets (6 yards) of mulch) !!! Steep grade uses 2nd gear...level to 30% grade uses 3rd gear. HOWEVER...the REAL issue becomes the BREAKING POWER of all this weight BEHIND the Cub . I take it SLOW because I know the brakes are really too small to have to stop the trailer load !

[Arizona Mike]

Country ...you are right...and this is something no one has talked about much. The Cubs brakes are not good on hills or for making a fast controlled stop. I rarely use the brakes, but when I do I am reminded that they ain't really too great. I go slow anyway, but the Cub braking system is another reason to watch your speed.

[WKPoor]

Nobody has yet hit on what I was thinking. Sure the obvious stuff like if it can't move it or stop it then its too heavy. Bit what about pure engine load. Like PTO or just plain pullin down without wheel spin. Has anyone ever damaged an engine by overlugging it? Thats what I mean and what I thought the placard is trying to warn against.

[Super A]

Nobody has yet hit on what I was thinking. Sure the obvious stuff like if it can't move it or stop it then its too heavy. Bit what about pure engine load. Like PTO or just plain pullin down without wheel spin. Has anyone ever damaged an engine by overlugging it? Thats what I mean and what I thought the placard is trying to warn against.

You would probably kill the engine (I.E. stop it) before you damaged anything by overloading. Or it would overheat to warn you that you need to slack off. Now if you load the tires with fluid, put on three sets of rear wheel weights or otherwise cut wheel slippage to 0%, and then try to pull a three bottom plow, you might damage drive train parts. But still I think you would kill the engine before things got that bad.

Al