4X4 downhill traction issue

[Don87]

That sounds like fun.You go first! :laughing:

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

A strategically placed ratchet strap, hooked to the chin.........could potentially turn your neck to an 'owl like position' and make it all possible.......:laughing:

But I have to admit............I got squeamish just looking at the pic of the front of your tractor from 'down under'.

Let us know what you come up with.

 

[locknut]

A strategically placed ratchet strap, hooked to the chin.........could potentially turn your neck to an 'owl like position' and make it all possible.......:laughing:

But I have to admit............I got squeamish just looking at the pic of the front of your tractor from 'down under'.

Let us know what you come up with.

Or,I could steer with one hand and hold a make up mirror with the other hand :laughing:

Here's another sitting on the launch pad;

 

[dave1949]

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.

There's your answer--mow up with the Prestige and down with the Kubota GR. Problem solved. :laughing:

I have no useful advice, I don't have any hills like that to mow.

 

[locknut]

There's your answer--mow up with the Prestige and down with the Kubota GR. Problem solved. :laughing:

I have no useful advice, I don't have any hills like that to mow.

Or,trade 'em in on an X-7xx Deere with a K92 hydro w/locker.........no,wait......shame on me :banghead:

 

[joshuabardwell]

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

It doesn't matter; I'm pretty sure turfs aren't directional.

PS: your traction problems? Turf tires. :confused3:

 

[jenkinsph]

I go up and down some steep hills on my x749 and never use the differential lock. I think the hdap tires are very helpful in maintaining traction so changing out your turfs should help alot. On your Simplicity do you have mfwd or hydraulic? I ask because I went to the Simplicity site and the spec sheet didn't have much info.

 

[locknut]

It doesn't matter; I'm pretty sure turfs aren't directional.

PS: your traction problems? Turf tires. :confused3:

That comment was referenced to the tires I have coming for the Prestige.They are directional.Yes,the turfs are mostly useless on slopes.

 

[locknut]

I go up and down some steep hills on my x749 and never use the differential lock. I think the hdap tires are very helpful in maintaining traction so changing out your turfs should help alot. On your Simplicity do you have mfwd or hydraulic? I ask because I went to the Simplicity site and the spec sheet didn't have much info.

It's hydraulic driven and I'd like to know more about the inner workings of it.Actually,I'd like to know more about the whole tractor.The owners manual is mostly full of safety warnings and the troubleshooting guide says to see your dealer for almost every problem.Much different than my other 40yr old simplicity which has a lot of info on servicing and adjustment procedures for everything.

 

[94BULLITT]

I would try some R4's.
I mow some hills that are steep with the BX. I have R4's and the rears are loaded. I can go all the way down to the driveway and back up or I can go drive straight up. It never slips a tire in 4WD, no diff lock.

 

[unbidden]

I'd skip changing to a more aggressive tire and go with adding weight to the tires. Wheel weights may also be an option.

 

[94BULLITT]

I'd skip changing to a more aggressive tire and go with adding weight to the tires. Wheel weights may also be an option.

I was thinking about this more last night. I agree add weight to the tire 1st. If that does not work out then more aggressive tire. I am not a big fan of wheel weights on a machine this size. They stick way out past the tire and they are in the way and look horrible.

 

[nspec]

Growing up we had a very similar Ford hydro that I used on a very steep hill. What you need to do is mow straight up the hill and back down. If you absolutely need to drive forward down a steep hill, the way to do it is to select lowest possible range, and keep your foot all the way down on the forward directional pedal. Let the hydro try to drive you down. I found that if you let up even a little bit, the differential would cause one side to spin backwards and just like you - weee! - away we go. Sounds weird, but it worked for me for 15 years.

 

[jenkinsph]

Best I can determine this Simplicity has a version of the K66 tranny and seems to work climbing the hill okay. I don't know if adding more weight to it is a good idea as it puts more stress in everything. I am curious if the front wheel drive is holding back the mower when going down the hill, that is something I would check first. Put it on stands, depress the forward pedal slightly and see if you can turn the front wheels faster by hand. You could contact Tuff Torq for some answers too.

On the K92 series the front wheels will help slow the tractor down much like mfwd, don't know about the k661? in the Simplicity.

I would add weight to the wheels only if I thought I needed to lower the center of gravity for stability reasons. Any weight you add to the tractor puts more strain on the driveline components. With just a mmm I don't see the need for extra weight to slow down the tractor when going down the hill. I am no mathematical whiz but it would seem that going up hill the weight is on the larger rear wheels while going downhill obviously more is on the front wheels. The small turf tires on the front are having a hard time slowing the machine down. That is why I think better tires may solve this problem but only if the front wheel drive is working correctly.

 

[locknut]

I was thinking about this more last night. I agree add weight to the tire 1st. If that does not work out then more aggressive tire. I am not a big fan of wheel weights on a machine this size. They stick way out past the tire and they are in the way and look horrible.

Well,I may be wrong but I think I need tires with deep,wider spaced lugs that will reach below the grass to grip the underlying soil to get the needed traction.Tires are coming and should have them on by next Wednesday.I don't like bolt on wheel weights either,but I do use barbell weights on a smooth rod on the GR with the heavy cab installed to counter the top heaviness.Installed loosely,they ride along much like fluid in the tires with no rotational inertia.

 

[94BULLITT]

Well,I may be wrong but I think I need tires with deep,wider spaced lugs that will reach below the grass to grip the underlying soil to get the needed traction.Tires are coming and should have them on by next Wednesday.I don't like bolt on wheel weights either,but I do use barbell weights on a smooth rod on the GR with the heavy cab installed to counter the top heaviness.Installed loosely,they ride along much like fluid in the tires with no rotational inertia.

Tires will hopefully fix it. I just thought that weight may be a cheaper alternative.

 

[locknut]

Best I can determine this Simplicity has a version of the K66 tranny and seems to work climbing the hill okay. I don't know if adding more weight to it is a good idea as it puts more stress in everything. I am curious if the front wheel drive is holding back the mower when going down the hill, that is something I would check first. Put it on stands, depress the forward pedal slightly and see if you can turn the front wheels faster by hand. You could contact Tuff Torq for some answers too.

On the K92 series the front wheels will help slow the tractor down much like mfwd, don't know about the k661? in the Simplicity.

I would add weight to the wheels only if I thought I needed to lower the center of gravity for stability reasons. Any weight you add to the tractor puts more strain on the driveline components. With just a mmm I don't see the need for extra weight to slow down the tractor when going down the hill. I am no mathematical whiz but it would seem that going up hill the weight is on the larger rear wheels while going downhill obviously more is on the front wheels. The small turf tires on the front are having a hard time slowing the machine down. That is why I think better tires may solve this problem but only if the front wheel drive is working correctly.

Yes,it's a K664 and near as I can tell it's working properly.If it had no holding power on the downhill the tractor would immediately start sliding after launch.I've tried rear drive machines on this hill in the past.Tire type or weight makes little difference.I'm no whiz either,but I think the solution is to keep the front tires from losing traction.So,We'll see.

Update; Finished up the front brackets with a clevis so I have a better way to tie it down on the trailer.Also handy for working underneath or raising to roll the heavy deck out the front,instead of removing the front hitch and dragging it out the side.



A pic of the backside of the front drive.I notice there is a short link above the tie rod that moves a shaft inside.While in the air I can turn one wheel with no affect on the other,doesn't try to turn backwards like a normal open carrier.Can also grab both wheels and turn them forward,meaning loss of engine power and the front axle goes along for the ride.

 

[csr0831]

Ummmm...get a Gravely?? Sorry Locknut, I couldn't stand it. I'm kind like everyone else...weight and more aggressive tread. Good luck my friend. : )

Chris

 

[k0ua]

Sure will be interesting to see if the new tires fix the problem in themselves.. maybe we will all learn something.

 

[94BULLITT]

Sure will be interesting to see if the new tires fix the problem in themselves.. maybe we will all learn something.

Yes it will.

 

[locknut]

Ummmm...get a Gravely?? Sorry Locknut, I couldn't stand it. I'm kind like everyone else...weight and more aggressive tread. Good luck my friend. : )

Chris

Not everbody has the luxury of owning a "TANK" :laughing:

Miss the tight turning radius yet? That Bx sure looks sweet!