Can I descend a 40 degree hill on my 4700?

[pclausen]

I've been clearing trees on my property to create a view from my rear deck down into my lower field. I have a 4700 with a FEL and a MD172 Woods bush hog (amont other implements).

If I take off the FEL and use no weights on the front, can I keep a 40 degree steep ,200 foot long, path clear of brush?

In other words, can I retain grip w/ my tires going down a 40 degrees slope?

 

[MarkV]

That would be too steep for me. I am pretty conservative though.

A little more information would help I think. What type of transmission? 2wd or 4wd? Tire type? Are your rear tires filled with liquid for ballast, or, do you have wheel weights? What is the terrain like in the area you are looking at?

MarkV

 

[Egon]

Why would you take the FEL off?

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I would not even try it, :thumbdown: I seriously doubt that you would have much control if any at all.

 

[mustangsallysdad]

I've been clearing trees on my property to create a view from my rear deck down into my lower field. I have a 4700 with a FEL and a MD172 Woods bush hog (amont other implements).

If I take off the FEL and use no weights on the front, can I keep a 40 degree steep ,200 foot long, path clear of brush?

In other words, can I retain grip w/ my tires going down a 40 degrees slope?

I cut the face of my dam...250'w x 25-30'h w/45-50 degree slope...hydro trans, ballasted R4 tires (front & rear), FEL in place...leave it in 4WD, mow down hill driving through the gearing. Make sure it isn't damp and use your seatbelt.

 

[pclausen]

Some additional details:

4 wheel drive
Liquid filled rears

Since I plan to only hog going downhill, I figured the less weight out front the better, hence the complete removal of the FEL. (I typically take if off anyway when I'll be moving (got a RM990) or bush hoging).

I used to hog a drop like this on my dad's Yanmar 240 some 20 years back. It was only 20 feet, but my recently cleared hill is much longer/deeper than that.

I'll see about taking a pic or two.

 

[ragkar]

There's some scary posts in the safety forum about guys losing their brakes going downhill with a load in the fel and in two wheel drive. That procedure takes the weight off the back wheels. Make sure that your rop is up.

 

[Thomas]

Than again w/fel if you lose traction w/bucket slightly curl down you could always drop fel to stop...going down hill.

 

[pclausen]

I hear you ragkar. Believe me, I'll be in 4x4 all the way!

Here are some pics. Keep in mind that it is very hard to capture slopes and such with pictures.

Here a side shot showing the angle of the "not so steep part" with the 4700 pointing down:

Same position as above, looking straight ahead from the drivers seat (see why I want to drop these trees?):

Driver's seat looking down:

Looking back up at the house from the "not so steep part":

Looking up at the house from the very bottom:

A shot from a (slight) distance showing the hill:

As a bit of background, I have been driving tractors for 30 years, not for a living unfortunately, but my point is that I know tracters and their limit (except for this crazy drop). This particular hill is just borderline something I would just go ahead and do.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

After looking at you pics, yes you should be able to do it. Your not so steep pic is 30 degrees. Sounds like you are going to do it anyway, and you say that you know your equipment. So why even ask? :confused2: