Mowing How much slope is too much?

[cjmt29]

I just recently purchased a Workmaster 75 4wd. This is the first tractor of this size I have operated. I am pulling an 8' bushhog. I did get the rear tires filled. They are not widened. I find myself getting very uneasy when mowing anything with a slope when trying to go across the slope. I see people cutting across slopes with 2wd tractors that are steeper than what I am cutting, but I do not feel comfortable. I have heard of folks getting killed in tractor accidents, since I was a kid and guess this plays a role in my fear. I am just looking for some general advice on cutting slopes and what this type of tractor is safe on. Thanks in advance.

 

[MHarryE]

No rule. It is tractor, slope and terrain dependent. It is also speed and driver dependent. In lawsuits I have presented calculation results showing a tractor should have been well within its safety margins when it rolled. Unfortunately I don't know of a stability control for tractors like they now have for cars that will assume control so if you feel uncomfortable, don't do it, at least until you put more hours on your tractor and get to know its limits.

 

[atgreene]

Make sure your wheels are set out, not necessarily to maximum, but wide enough to add some stability.

In my experience, if you tip over, it was too steep.

 

[LD1]

All slopes are different. And they are different everytime you mow.

You may mow the same slope for years and never come close to loosing it. Then next time, a ground hog could have dug a hole that your downhill tire drops in and over you go. Or running over the mound of dirt from the hole digging with the uphill tire.

You have an 8' mower, I would set the tires as wide as you can for starters. And only do what is comfortable. Until then, mow up and down the hill, but be sure to stay in 4wd, as that gives 4 wheel braking.

 

[green_rookie]

I was also in the same position a few years ago, new land owner, not far from you, with a tractor I had no experience with. Go slow, only do what's comfortable, backup to hit the high spots, fill the tires and get them all widened as much as possible, and stay in 4WD. I asked the dealer to widen mine and he did, except afterword I noticed the fronts were 1 setting from the furtherest. I fixed that and even that little bit helped. With seat time you'll feel more confortable just be careful and go slow.

Also, I still don't feel comfortable on some of my hills going across the slope so I go diagonal. I feel better doing that than straight up.

 

[rekees4300]

I am just looking for some general advice on cutting slopes

If possible avoid mowing across slopes. The safest way is to mow is with the front of your tractor pointed downhill.

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

Use your built in PUCKER FACTOR, if it feels dangerous it probably is.

 

[Wakey]

I was much more comfortable on the old Ford 8N. I found with it that the tires would break loose before it would start to tip.

Perhaps it was a false sense of security, I dunno.

With the new DK40 I sit much higher so there is more sway when the tractor goes over something uneven so I'm extremely cautious. I'm guessing that 8N had a lower center of gravity and might possibly be heavier.

WHat I started experimenting with is backing down towards the fence, on my ugliest slope using the brakes. I could feel them pulsing under a heavy load so next time I will try backing down the slope in reverse, using the low range.

Good idea?

 

[LD1]

Your dk40 weighs probably 1000# MORE. Thats without a loader. The 8n's were only around 2800#

 

[rekees4300]

Good idea?

Not a good idea if the weight of the mower is enough to lift the tractor's front end. If that's the case, consider front weights.

 

[cjmt29]

Thanks for all of the advice. I requested the tires be widened, but they did not come that way. I will just go with my gut. I have bushogged much of what I have with a Ford 3000 2wd. I guess since this tractor sits up higher it's going to take a little getting used too. I thought the 4wd would make me more comfortable, but it hasn't happened, yet. Thanks again.

 

[TripleR]

Pretty much echo MHarryE, what is comfortable on our M8540 scares the heck out of me on my L5740 and hardly anything scared me on our old Massey Ferguson 375. Definitely consider getting your tires widened even if it costs a few bucks.

Take your time getting use to your tractor and read some of the other threads on mowng slopes, it always takes me a while to learn to be comfortable with a new tractor.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/279095-mowing-slopes-tractor.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/199464-slopes-tractor-tilt.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/104751-maximum-hillside-mowing.html

 

[Wakey]

Not a good idea if the weight of the mower is enough to lift the tractor's front end. If that's the case, consider front weights.

I snap in the FEL when I cut my hilly pastures. On the 8N the front tires would sometimes lift but it wasn't a big deal. On the DK40 I've had no issues like that on the same pastures.

I really want to cut the hill down to the fence but becoming a statistic isn't worth it.

 

[flusher]

If you feel anxious mowing hillsides, don't do it. You, unfortunately, bought the wrong tractor for that job. The only way to increase stability is to lower the tractor center of gravity and increase the track width. My 1964 MF135 diesel has been lowered by switching from 28" diameter rear wheels to 16" diameter carrying BF Goodrich 6 ply 18.4-16A rubber (18" wide, 16" dia rim, 40" tall overall). The front axle spindles were shortened to keep the tractor level.



Good luck and be safe out there.

 

[flusher]

Love the look of your tractor without the shroud over the engine. Reminds me of naked street bikes.

It certainly turns heads lowered the way it is. It's in my shop now awaiting work on a few leaking seals. It's a great tractor for old guys like myself who have trouble hauling their carcasses up onto tall field tractors like my Mahindra.

 

[LD1]

It certainly turns heads lowered the way it is. It's in my shop now awaiting work on a few leaking seals. It's a great tractor for old guys like myself who have trouble hauling their carcasses up onto tall field tractors like my Mahindra.

The 135 is like a much improved version of the 8n I grew up on and dad still has.

Live hydraulics
Live PTO
Power steering
More power

What more can a guy ask for...

 

[cjmt29]

Flusher:
Why do you suggest I bought the wrong tractor. I feel like I did my homework before I spent that much money. I realize I need to widen the tires, but this tractor was much heavier than the other options out there. What did I miss?

 

[BuilderML]

Use your built in PUCKER FACTOR, if it feels dangerous it probably is.

I second this !!!!

 

[Baby Grand]

When you're on 3 wheels, that's getting there.
When you're on 2 it's too much and probably too late.