4X4 downhill traction issue

[locknut]

I recently picked up a Simplicity Prestige AWD tractor.It has turf tires on it now and climbs steep grades up to 30 deg even with open carrier differentials.But,downhill runs produce sliding and runaway conditions.I'm putting aggressive ATV type tires on it and debating whether adding fluid to the tires would help any on the downhill runs.Thoughts?

 

[k0ua]

Are we sure the tires are slipping (skidding) on the grass or is something else happening transmission/belt wise?

James K0UA

 

[locknut]

No,no tranny or belt issue.I observed carefully what happens on several downhill runs where I had room and control over a runaway.The only way to try to slow it down is backpeddling the hydro but it comes to a point where one front and one rear will lose traction and those two tires will actually start turning backwards,and then you're done,out of control.

 

[k0ua]

Well I guess it would be worth a try to load the tires then. Of course your more aggressive tread on the new tires may fix the problem in itself. Dang hills anyway.. I got one I cant mow very well either(safely) with the little JD mower. I can go up and down easily with the rotary cutter and the Kioti, but it is grass, and the results aren't the most aesthetic.

 

[RaydaKub]

I assume there is no diff lock on the rear or you would have tried that?

 

[IndyIan]

I bet running the atv tires at a very low psi will solve your hill problem. I forget what I run my atv at, but it has a special pressure gauge for like 1 to 8 psi.

 

[Gator6x4]

If you are trying to mow at wide open throttle going down the hill and then using the brakes to slow down I just don't think you will find a tire to allow you to do that. With most tractors when going down hill you select a low gear, reduce the throttle, AND KEEP YOUR FOOT OF the brake pedal. The engine is what slows the tractor down. One good way to get hurt very quickly is to have a loaded trailer behind a tractor and apply the brakes when going down hill.

Another is, and this one is discussed here frequently is someone asking if a small tractor can carry round bales. One of the most interesting rides I have ever seen anyone take on a tractor was on a small JD with a round bale on front and one on the rear going down a hill. The individual was fortunate he had enough level ground before the woods to get stopped. He never moved round bales again with that tractor.

Think of it as a car when it hydroplanes. No control you are just along for the ride.

 

[locknut]

I assume there is no diff lock on the rear or you would have tried that?

I can't imagine why they designed this tractor without one.If it did,there would be no sliding issue.I've been using a Kubota GR with the locking rear and it sticks like glue to this hill,even after a heavy rain,very soft ground and 8-inch tall grass that's sopping wet.But,this tractor has a very weak hydro and climbs 8-10 ft and gives up,and that's when the fluid is cool.Worse as it warms up.The Prestige just claws and digs its way to the top like a wild animal.

 

[bcp]

When going downhill, a lot of the weight transfers to the front axle and off the rear, where the brakes and traction are located. Adding 100 pounds a foot or two behind the rear axle may make a lot of difference downhill, but when you have to go back up the hill, the front end will be light.

Or you could plant flowers on the hill and quit mowing it.



Bruce

 

[locknut]

I bet running the atv tires at a very low psi will solve your hill problem. I forget what I run my atv at, but it has a special pressure gauge for like 1 to 8 psi.

Well,I hope it does.Didn't want to sink a lot of money into tires as an experiment.Found some Maxxis 938's 23/10/12 for the back and 2 X-Trac 16/6.50/8's for the front.Hope they don't rip the grass up too much.I'll probably fill all four tires(front end gets pretty light in a couple spots right before it gets to the top-incline goes up to 32 deg) as the big barrel of WW fluid sits right next to the tire machine at work.

 

[k0ua]

Well,I hope it does.Didn't want to sink a lot of money into tires as an experiment.Found some Maxxis 938's 23/10/12 for the back and 2 X-Trac 16/6.50/8's for the front.Hope they don't rip the grass up too much.I'll probably fill all four tires(front end gets pretty light in a couple spots right before it gets to the top-incline goes up to 32 deg) as the big barrel of WW fluid sits right next to the tire machine at work.

Please let us know how it works out, I an curious to know if this improves the situation..thanks.

james K0UA

 

[locknut]

When going downhill, a lot of the weight transfers to the front axle and off the rear, where the brakes and traction are located. Adding 100 pounds a foot or two behind the rear axle may make a lot of difference downhill, but when you have to go back up the hill, the front end will be light.

Or you could plant flowers on the hill and quit mowing it.



Bruce

Yes,the weight issue is a double-edged sword so that's out.

Plant flowers? Nope,hill climbing is more fun than watching flowers grow

 

[rekees4300]

The better tires should improve traction. Two other common sense things you can do is to go slow and only cut when the grass is dry.

 

[locknut]

The better tires should improve traction. Two other common sense things you can do is to go slow and only cut when the grass is dry.

Since you brought up the "dry"factor I've noticed that when this clay ground gets super dry it also gets hard as concrete and the tires will not get a good bite.The tractor I've been using has bar tires and it seems that some moisture in the ground works best to get that good bite.Whether the grass is dry or tall and sopping wet makes little difference.

 

[rekees4300]

Since you brought up the "dry"factor I've noticed that when this clay ground gets super dry it also gets hard as concrete and the tires will not get a good bite.The tractor I've been using has bar tires and it seems that some moisture in the ground works best to get that good bite.Whether the grass is dry or tall and sopping wet makes little difference.

Just noticed you are from Greensburg. I live 20 miles from you! Surprised to hear that wet grass makes little difference. Know what you mean about the clay ground around this area. Need a jackhammer to dig a hole!

 

[jenkinsph]

Since you brought up the "dry"factor I've noticed that when this clay ground gets super dry it also gets hard as concrete and the tires will not get a good bite.The tractor I've been using has bar tires and it seems that some moisture in the ground works best to get that good bite.Whether the grass is dry or tall and sopping wet makes little difference.

rekees said "when the grass is dry" and from my experience that does make a difference. Wet vegetation can be very slippery. You are the one sliding down the hill right.

 

[locknut]

Just noticed you are from Greensburg. I live 20 miles from you! Surprised to hear that wet grass makes little difference. Know what you mean about the clay ground around this area. Need a jackhammer to dig a hole!

Howdy,neighbor!

 

[joshuabardwell]

If the tires have directional tread, maybe you could back down the hill?

 

[locknut]

rekees said "when the grass is dry" and from my experience that does make a difference. Wet vegetation can be very slippery. You are the one sliding down the hill right.

Well yea,but this is the tractor I just acquired with Carlisle Turf Savers on it.Wet grass with these tires would be an accident waiting to happen.My above comment was in reference to the bar tires on the other tractor.Bar tires work best when they can sink into the soil and grab something to hold onto.They don't work real well on steep hills when the ground is hard as a rock as the suface area is low and the lugs can't find a bite.In this scenario turfs would probably be better,especially if it's bare dirt or little vegetation.

 

[locknut]

Here's what it looks like from the top

If the tires have directional tread, maybe you could back down the hill?

That sounds like fun.You go first! :laughing: Here's what it looks like from the top.Let me turn the tractor around for ya;



I would rather swap the wheels side-to-side than back down.I like to see where I'm going.