Traction How steep a Hill?

[guylevasseur]

I know it's a tough question to ask, and even more to answer, but how steep a Hill can the Kubota BX25D with the loader and backhoe installed can take before it gets dangerous?
I know, you will tell me that any Hill is dangerous if you put the loader up high and you turn during ascend or descent, but i am more looking for advises from experienced user on determining what is safe and what is not.
Any advise will do.
Thanks,
Guy

 

[Billrog]

If it's steep guy and you have a backhoe attached you go up in reverse and the soil conditions will determine how steep you can climb until you run out of traction.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have gone up some very steep hills to the point of losing traction.

The problem is not going up and down it's if you somehow get sideways...

I did foam fill my rear tires which has helped by putting more weight down low.

Lose gravel will be different than well compacted.

When I am in doubt, I will back up the hill... this leaves me in a good position to reverse course.

 

[bellweather]

It depends. And that's about the most informed answer I can give based on the information provided.

 

[guylevasseur]

I am asking this question because i had the cut-off switch stop the tractor as i was going down a hill going forward that i didn't think was that bad. So it got me doubting of the tractor capacity. But if grip is mostly the issue, then i am still far from what this baby can do i guess

 

[Aquamoose]

Rely on your wanker-meter. If it starts to curl inwards, you're getting into steep territory. Trust it.

 

[ultrarunner]

Same happens to me if I raise up off the seat to get a better view going downhill...

My guess is the seat sensor?

 

[k0ua]

I have a very steep back yard. I can mow it sometimes with the rotary cutter, and sometimes I can't. it depends on how dry the vegetation is. It is traction limited in 4wd. i believe it is about 35 degrees. It is planted in a ground cover called Vinca. But I like to mow the tops off of the weeds when I can. It is about all I can do to walk up and down it. Sometimes I slip. If you can walk up your hill easily then your tractor wont have any trouble in 4wd as long as the tires are ok. if you can't walk it without slipping, your tractor is probably not going to make it.

 

[SteveM70]

Interested in this thread. I had a Kubota L series that would go anywhere I needed with the backhoe on. Now I have a MF GC1720 and it starts to get a little sketchy around 20 degrees going forward with the backhoe attached.

I assume the backhoe is just a lot of weight out back for these little tractors. Your gut will likely tell you before it gets to steep but what you need to keep in mind is once the front gets light and you loose responsive steering a slip of a rear tire can get you in a bind quick.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I use Aqua's method a lot. I have hilly terrain to traverse most of the time. When I first got my BX I experimented a lot before taking it onto the hills sideways. Backing up is better than driving up as it gets steeper. I have had mine 3 wheels off the ground many times but have practiced that maneuver and the recovery techniques. FEL and BH can assist much when in trouble to keep from going over. I use the BH as a moving ballast, always keeping it swung to the uphill side. Put the outriggers out a few inches off the ground. Keep the FEL real close to the ground. 1500 hours now and have not turned it over. I am old but still maintain the situational awareness the military taught me. I never drink alcohol on the tractor or before operating and do not use audio devices. There are some sounds you need to identify when practicing so response is automatic. Practice till responses are automatic.

Ron

 

[guylevasseur]

Thank you guys for your great advises. I have a better understanding of the capabilities of this little beast.
I am truly amazed on how much work it can do for its size.
As suggested, I will learn and get experienced with it and with the help of the wank meter, it should keep me out of trouble.
Also, using the FEL and BH with the stabilizers should keep me safe in the event i do need to get in serious situation.
Thanks again for all your good advises.

 

[guylevasseur]

I had a confirmation from the dealer that it is the Seat sensor that stopped the motor. They do not recommend modifying it in any way to make it less sensitive to downhill slopes. But i guess they cannot say otherwise for Liability purposes. Knowing it however will make me have a different position on the seat when going down a hill. It should help.

 

[civilian]

I had a confirmation from the dealer that it is the Seat sensor that stopped the motor. They do not recommend modifying it in any way to make it less sensitive to downhill slopes. But i guess they cannot say otherwise for Liability purposes. Knowing it however will make me have a different position on the seat when going down a hill. It should help.

One thing I noticed loading my BX2230 (going backwards on, forward off) up on a deck over trailer with about 8ft ramps, is my butt slid downhill. I stopped that by using the seat belt. Not trying to tell anyone when they should use a seat belt, though. Jon

 

[AxleHub]

I noticed no one has mentioned surface of the slope or tires in the responses.

I've found that traction on slopes is much better with turf tires . . the reason is thete are many sipes and surface breaks in turf tires so there are more gripping points to hold.

While slope andle certainly is important . . Slope surface is critical too. Is it gravel or concrete or blacktop or lawn. Bluegrass lawn is more slippery than is a fescue or rye because bluegrass grows thicker and finet and retains moisture better even when the grass is "dry".

And going downhill or uphill and backing up or down all relate to whete you have the weight. An attached backhoe in back and an empty fel is different than a full fel bucket.

And always 4wd on slopes . . always . . Because you want rear AND front dynamic braking . . and maybe dif lock too.

 

[The Fred]

My L series hydro runs out of Hydro fluid going up a very steep grade enough so it stops moving. The oil level is perfect, it's very annoying.


I still hate my tractor, Fred

 

[CobyRupert]

When the spot on the tractor that represents the center of gravity has tilted so that it's vertically over the outside of the tire, you've gone too far.

(Not counting dynamic forces, e.g. centrifugal forces when turning, or the momentum you gain when you dip into a hole, or the momentum you have when the tire slides sideways and then catches, etc..)

 

[dragoneggs]

I had a confirmation from the dealer that it is the Seat sensor that stopped the motor. They do not recommend modifying it in any way to make it less sensitive to downhill slopes. But i guess they cannot say otherwise for Liability purposes. Knowing it however will make me have a different position on the seat when going down a hill. It should help.

Yep happens to me on downhill every once in awhile if I'm not paying attention. Buckle up tight and plant you left foot firmly on the floorboard to keep your body from sliding/leaning forward.

 

[Rustyiron]

When you start getting the taste of cotton (underware) in your mouth, back off a little.:laughing:

 

[JWR]

When the spot on the tractor that represents the center of gravity has tilted so that it's vertically over the outside of the tire, you've gone too far.

Well, yes, I certainly agree but it should be noted you have also already upset the tractor at that point...

 

[BX Dan]

Not much help but I can tell you KEEP IT IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE going up or down hills always. I forgot once and thought the only way I was stopping was a tree, of course I didn't have FEL on either.