To keep your tractor firmly on the ground you must control the two forces which are responsible for side overturns. One of these forces is gravity. When setting on level ground a tractor's center of gravity is approximately two feet in front of and ten inches above the rear axle. With the center of gravity in this position the tractor is stable. However, if you change the position of the center of gravity by using certain types of mounted equipment or by driving across steep slopes, the tractor's stability decreases and the opportunities for an upset become greater.
Centrifugal force is the other major force involved in tractors turning over.
This is the force that pushes at you and your tractor from one side as you turn it around or follow a bend in the roadway. For instance, doubling a tractor's speed will increase the centrifugal force four times, tripling it will increase this force nine times. As the pressure exerted against a tractor becomes stronger, short or quick turns can rapidly change the vehicle's center of gravity and cause the tractor to tip over. Fortunately, both of these forces can be controlled through the application of proper safety precautions. Remember, a tractor's center of gravity should be kept as low to the ground as possible when it is moving.