ALWAYS use 4wd on hills!

[RalphVa]

This maybe goes in the safety area, but it'll probably get more attention here.

Took the tractor down the hill this afternoon to mow my trails. In going down the back hill, the back end started to slide to the right. I hit the brakes. Still more sliding. Fortunately, it finally stopped.

I noticed the front wheels were moving, but the back tires were locked. I'd forgotten to put it in 4wd. Therefore, the fronts weren't holding it back any, AND I no longer had 4 wheel brakes.

I'd taken to disengaging 4wd while going across the turnaround area to grass. Doing this, it seems that working the lever was getting easier and easier; whereas, in the past I'd always left it in 4wd unless I went down the driveway in dry weather. In/out of 4wd was always a chore to get the lever to move.

After this experience, I'm going back to my old practice.

Ralph

 

[oldballs]

Thanks for the tip. Being relatively new on my BX, I'm still learning behind the wheel, but more so reading TBN posts. I wonder about getting used to one's own property, as to what works etc. But there are still a lot of variables due to load, weather etc. Being retired, I can pick and choose my chores and time to do them. That's a luxury many of you don't have. Now if I go to help at somebody else's place, Lord knows what might happen.:confused2:

 

[Johndeere3720]

I always use 4wd on hills when it is available on the tractor im using.

 

[PILOON]

Going down hill, for sure I always use 4WD.
I often have FEL full hence no braking on rear end, or at best wheels lock and skid.
In 4WD, I have at least the engine compression working for me!

 

[rekees4300]

4WD on hills makes a big difference. Sometimes the difference between life and death!

 

[rjkobbeman]

In addition to using 4wd, it is also recommended to navigate straight down the hill... as apposed to driving at a slight angle (when possible and when conditions warrant).

The OP said the rear-started to slide to the right. That tells me he was going a little cross-ways down the hill. Even with 4wd, if you are going side-ways enough you can still slide. Anytime the rear-end starts sliding side-ways, there is the possibility of a roll-over -- especially when a hill is invovled.

Be safe out there guys! Live to enjoy another day of tractorin' (and family, of course).

 

[BeeferMan]

It's not all good though - remember that if your front wheels start sliding because of engine braking w/ 4WD you're also loosing some steering ability!

 

[TripleR]

It's not all good though - remember that if your front wheels start sliding because of engine braking w/ 4WD you're also loosing some steering ability!

Agreed, but you can blip the throttle to gain steering ability. Of course if you are sliding all four wheels, you may have passed the point of no return anyway.

 

[MMagis]

To think, I've been dodging death every day for years using a 2wd tractor on steep hills. As rjkobbeman mentioned, it has more to do with going straight down hill when possible, and going slow when conditions call for it. Common sense must be used no matter what technology you have.

 

[dodge man]

Unless its a gas engine, I didn't think diesels gave any engine braking? It seems with it in gear, it will slow it down some on its own, but is this due to engine braking?

 

[20 20]

To think, I've been dodging death every day for years using a 2wd tractor on steep hills. As rjkobbeman mentioned, it has more to do with going straight down hill when possible, and going slow when conditions call for it. Common sense must be used no matter what technology you have.

:thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

If you make your money working a tractor...yep, then you may have to work it in wet conditions. Hopefully, you'll know the risks and what you're doing.
If you're just a hobby guy (like I am), there's no good reason to risk going downslope in wet conditions with or without 4WD.

So, it's slick out..and do you really need to do that chore or task today? That's the question you need to ask yourself.

The other part of the equation is gear selection. Going downslope, go in as low a gear as circumstances demand.

 

[BeeferMan]

Unless its a gas engine, I didn't think diesels gave any engine braking? It seems with it in gear, it will slow it down some on its own, but is this due to engine braking?

Yes, it's engine braking - diesels typically have a higher compression ratio than gasoline engines, so all other things being equal you'll actually get more engine braking from a diesel...

 

[pat32rf]

I seldom have to use the brakes on my 4300HST while going down hills in 4wd, just lift my foot and tractor slows, as long as I'm in low range. Gotta be engine braking.....
When I do use the brakes I find its impossible to get even braking on both sides, no matter how carefully I've adjusted those brake rods......even so, there are times when a bit of braking gives a lower pucker factor...

 

[TractorRob]

...so all other things being equal you'll actually get more engine braking from a diesel...

Sorry, but that's not right. Most engine breaking in a gasoline engine comes form the engine trying to pull air through a closed throttle plate. Since a diesel engine does not use a throttle plate, it has very little engine breaking compared to a similar gasoline engine.

 

[BeeferMan]

Sorry, but that's not right. Most engine breaking in a gasoline engine comes form the engine trying to pull air through a closed throttle plate. Since a diesel engine does not use a throttle plate, it has very little engine breaking compared to a similar gasoline engine.

He he he.. I guess all my tractors have throttles that create a vacuum then, cause when I'm heading down a grade and I back off the engine rpms, I get pretty good engine braking. Maybe someone forgot to tell them they're diesels?

 

[oldnslo]

Sorry, but that's not right. Most engine breaking in a gasoline engine comes form the engine trying to pull air through a closed throttle plate. Since a diesel engine does not use a throttle plate, it has very little engine breaking compared to a similar gasoline engine.

Rob,
are you stating that creating a vacuum will give more braking than compression will?

Roy

 

[JerryK]

Rob,
are you stating that creating a vacuum will give more braking than compression will?

Roy

Here we go, any guess's on how long this thread will go now????

 

[BeeferMan]

Rob,
are you stating that creating a vacuum will give more braking than compression will?

Roy

You got to be a little careful here, 'cause there is more than one force at work. Rob is right that a vacuum due closed throttle is a powerful thing - for instance, when you do a compression check on a gas engine what position does the throttle have to be in? But there are still powerful engine braking forces in a diesel engine, otherwise if one is going down a just a slight grade with a load on, why is it that backing off the throttle will usually provide enough braking? What is it that stops a diesel in this (non-severe) case from over-reving, potentially to destruction? Most anyone who has gone done a snow covered slope in a 2WD tractor and had the rear end start to slide has had the experience of having to push in the clutch to disconnect the engine from the drive train to get the wheels turning again... that's due to good engine braking...

 

[BeeferMan]

Here we go, any guess's on how long this thread will go now????

No guesses from me, the only hint I can offer is that I was typing while you wrote this...