Traction GC1705 Safe Working Angle

[Massey2019]

Starting to use my new tractor and love what I have been able to do.
My question: working for the past couple of days cleaning out trees and debris from an area between my neighbors home and mine. Got into a couple of pulls that I didn稚 feel comfortable. Had to use the differential lock and 4 wheel drive to get out.
My Spidy sense told me I was on the edge.
How do I know what the max angle I should use?

Thanks

 

[WranglerX]

For me its stay on flat ground, I have had some unusual upsets on side hill operations and after some i-net research even with low center of gravity working across side hill horizontally is not very safe no matter what the angle of hill is... Any hill operation would be better done in straight vertical (up/down) orientation and avoid going across the slope face..... Having bucket in up position also changes center of gravity (makes it higher) so always keep it as low as possible.....

Adding wheel spacers to get wider track will increase stability some, and I find a low slung ballast weigh on rear helps some....

Have come to conclusion and my disappointment it is really not safe when off "level" ground because a lot of my cutting (fire break) is on slopes and no always able to go vertical on slopes...

Ironically manual does not seem to give any details on how much slope (angle) is acceptable...

Pay attention to your spidy sense....

How Steep a Slope Can I Take My Tractor On? - YouTube

Others will have different views and comments BUT I will keep my mine as stated above as I live to ride another day....

Dale

 

[Massey2019]

Appreciate the feedback. Grew up in Ohio and worked farms as a kid, but all were level or had rolling hills.

My gut was telling me, stop. Glad I did.

Thanks

 

[coldsteelva]

The problem with operating on a side slope is that pesky front axle pivot. On a given slope, with the FEL on, the front end can be leaning over, even at rest. If you're trying to do work and drop into a hole or bounce, you're practically already at the tipping point and that last jolt can put you over. I will admit to having used the backhoe swung uphill to traverse an area (but not work that area) while having the low side outrigger just barely off the ground as a crutch.

 

[Massey2019]

Went out and looked at the area we cleared last night and with the sand/Loam soil there is no way I would take the tractor on it. I don稚 think I would even try straight up and down as the soil could be unstable and things could go south quickly.

Always good to get feedback when you are unsure.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Never do work on slopes. Getting into position is a little different, loader and implement low to the ground, but not so you suddenly dig in, which can upset you too. Speed and momentum play a huge part in many upsets. Go dead slow in dangerous conditions. You will have more time to react and the momentum won't get you into trouble.

Also, and it may sound kind of weird. Feeling too proud will often get you into trouble.

 

[Massey2019]

Never do work on slopes. Getting into position is a little different, loader and implement low to the ground, but not so you suddenly dig in, which can upset you too. Speed and momentum play a huge part in many upsets. Go dead slow in dangerous conditions. You will have more time to react and the momentum won't get you into trouble.

Also, and it may sound kind of weird. Feeling too proud will often get you into trouble.

Appreciate the feedback.

Funny, proud of my tractor, but getting too old to show off and have a disaster happen.

Yeh, when I got nervous, I dropped the bucket as low as I could and still move. Locked the diff and crawled out in 4 wheel drive. Decided that wasn't going to do any slope work again and my guardian angel must be getting really tired of watching over me.....

 

[DMW]

Massey2019, just curious, what are you using for a counterweight?

 

[Massey2019]

None, new tractor with less than 5 hours on it.

The land clearing was an outlier, 99+% of its time will be spent working a table flat yard.

I am thinking about suitcase weights for the 3 point when using the loader. Tires are R4.

From the comments I’ve gotten, it appears my gut telling me to stop was good.

 

[DMW]

For tractor stability, I won't even use the loader without rear ballast on level ground. A full bucket of sand will lift the back end enough to spin the rears. Sudden stops, the back end lifts up. Working on slopes without any is living on the edge. You need 300-400 pounds on the the 3pt., whether a box blade or weight box. The tractor becomes completely different when using the loader.

 

[WranglerX]

Bit of a story here..... Was working a JD L120 riding mower on back side of property... It died (runs like a dead deer) and went and got the GC 1715 to rescue it.... Found out I could wedge mower into bucket by taking front approach to mower and the front bumper of mower would wedge under bucket lip with wheels in bucket... Came down the road (slight angle) the brakes seem a little light... Got to bottom and was in front of garage and went to step off tractor with bucket/mower about 18 inches off ground, though it would be cool picture... As I stepped off the tractor started to pivot on front wheels and let mower down onto driveway.... Got back on tractor real quick and let the hydraulics go down to put mower on ground.... JD L120 weighs 520 pounds by JD specs... Learned something there real quick and reinforced the feeling rear of tractor got light when heavy load in bucket...

Solution was to scrounge up some steel plate and angle iron and weld up a 2x2x1 steel box (4 cubic feet) which was filled with about 8 60 lb bags of Quickcrete... Conundrum here is most information say 1 cu ft of concrete weighs 150 pounds, so box should be 600 pounds (plus steel) , but 8 bags of Quickcrete only comes to 480 pounds.... Any way I have probably 500 lbs plus on rear of tractor for ballast ... Made it cat 1 quick hitch compatible and QH adds about another 70 pounds....

Bottom line is made a world of difference on stability, able to work heavy bucket loads better and brakes work better with heavy bucket load..... I'm now a true believer in ballast.... Specially since I never exceeded load weight of FEL...

Dale

 

[Industrial Toys]

I won't do things with my own tractor that friends who grew up on a farm just jump on and don't think anything of it. I kind of feel foolish, but better safe than sorry.

 

[Massey2019]

Reading how a fairly small amount of weight changed the dynamics was interesting.

Grew up in Ohio farm country and was around and operated big equipment for quite a while.
I think back on the total lack of training and safety awareness and wonder how I made it to an advanced age.

I知 going to look into the best way to build/buy a ballast box.
Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

[MF RED in MT]

Hi Massey2019,
Here is a link to a thread I started about my weight box build:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/190530-made-3-point-weight-box.html?highlight=

Hope it gives you some ideas.

I also loaded my tires with "Rim Guard", aka beet juice that a local tire shop, and I also purchased online a pair of plastic rear wheel inserts that I had to fill with concrete and install.

Given all of that and my property is mostly level I have had a few moments when you feel that pucker sitting in the tractor seat!

Good luck, KC

 

[Massey2019]

Like the weight box you built. I don稚 want to spend allot getting one and will look into the concrete box idea.
Thanks

 

[WranglerX]

Here is mine as described in above portion of tread...



Dale

 

[MF RED in MT]

Like the weight box you built. I don稚 want to spend allot getting one and will look into the concrete box idea.
Thanks

Hey Massey2019,

Yes its less $$$ to build items for yourself, a friend of mine with a new orange tractor purchased a carry-all for the rear and added 3 wooden sides to it, sort of looks like a chariot. He has vertical tool holders, chainsaw holders and in the winter he just adds bags filled with gravel (local Lyons Club makes these) for his weight. I joke with him that his whole family can ride in the carry-all.

KC

 

[Massey2019]

I致e seen some poured concrete weights on other areas in this site. I purchased a 3 point adapter that had a 2 receiver for $73. Believe or not, found on Walmart.
Have it on the tractor now and it is well built.

Think I may buy another and build a form box to encase it in concrete. Then, I would have something I could hook up easily and provide traction and balance.

Thanks

 

[irvingj]

Ditto -- when using the FEL for anything with some weight to it, I put the BH on. Similarly, I NEVER use the BH without the FEL on, and something heavy in it. Learned this the hard way....

 

[Massey2019]

Will be taking the loader off today getting ready to mount the mower.
Going to build my own weight block so I can use the loader and feel a bit safer.
Thanks