Bush hogging backwards?

[inmaestro]

I think he simply backs down the hill. I have to agree that mowing downhill can be tricky. I have a 7' finish mower on my JD3120, which it handles easily, but I sure feel it pushing ( and sliding) sometimes going down steep hills. I try to minimize downhill usually mowing up or slightly across and backing down. Good thread. Stay safe!

 

[vtsnowedin]

I'm just trying to get my head around having a front axle fall off just from driving down or stopping on a hill with an empty bucket. I've seen front spindles snap off on a two wheel drive tractor that was doing more loader work then it was designed for but the stresses from a full bucket of gravel are several times what the empty loader places on the front axle no matter what slope it is on. Very curious indeed.

 

[SPYDERLK]

I'm just trying to get my head around having a front axle fall off just from driving down or stopping on a hill with an empty bucket. I've seen front spindles snap off on a two wheel drive tractor that was doing more loader work then it was designed for but the stresses from a full bucket of gravel are several times what the empty loader places on the front axle no matter what slope it is on. Very curious indeed.

Its easy to underestimate weight transfer to the front when stopping or starting to back up on a steep slope. It can transfer virtually all tractor and existing counterweight to the front worst case. ... and not terribly unlikely if something ungraceful happens. Fortunately most tractors fronts can handle it. I certainly agree that they should. :confused3:
larry

 

[zkurtb]

Our 20 acres is way overgrown. We took a basic forestry class from the University extension, and learned our 20 acres is significantly overgrown - much of it is Ocean Spray (brush) but also trees. I acquired a brush hog to help deal with it. I raise it up -- the back end is up 2' or so - and back into the Ocean Spray and smaller trees and mow them down. Then lower and drive forward. Works like a charm. No issue using a brush hog backwards. Works on slopes very well, but I back straight up, not sideways, to mitigate roll over concerns. A huge time saver versus going in with a chain saw.