CG with MMM and FEL on GC TLB (lots of initials)

[Wacky]

Should one, while side-hill mowing, leave the FEL attached, or not? Just trying to figure the safest way to do this, since I have certain areas that will have to be mowed this way. I do have the rear wheels loaded. Not sure if the FEL will create a higher center of gravity even if lowered to the ground empty. Not a big deal to dismount but if I should leave it on I will, or vice-versa. Tried a little side-hill driving without MMM (since I haven't received it yet) yesterday with the FEL and Boxblade attached, lowered near the ground, then noticed the front wheels had to be turned up the hill to the point they were chewing up the grass to stay on course. Not sure if the FEL caused this, or not. Just want to make sure I understand the "physics" of the center of gravity altering of the FEL. Thank you all for the answers in advance!

 

[irvingj]

I always remove both FEL and BH when mowing... and put up ROPs and use seat belt, and am very careful on side slopes. Beyond a certain point, I'll go straight down (& up) slope rather than sideways-- guess I'm just chicken!

When going sideslope, turning front wheels upslope is precisely the most unstable point --other than simply being on a too-steep slope to begin with-- of going sideways on a slope. That's when she'll tip.

 

[FDuce]

I would think the FEL is adding weight to the front which helps with the traction. If you took it off I bet you would have more trouble maintaining your course. I also think that if you have to turn up hill and the front tires are chewing up the turf to stay on course then you are on too steep of a hill...one little bump and you'll be at the bottom of the hill.

 

[Wacky]

I was just thinking that the point at which the loader fastens to the tractor was further back and high, putting some weight higher on the tractor getting the CG higher than if not there at all. So, just want to be safe not sorry. I thought if I could mow it with a little Snapper rider than this should be no problem because it is wider, much heavier and taller. The seat being so much higher gives me that "tippy" feeling. But I notice most of the weight of the tractor seems to be low, between the 2 rear wheels, aside from the engine which is above the front tires. I live where there is nothing but hills, a flat piece of ground is hard to come by.

 

[irvingj]

Yep! Know about those hills!

 

[LBrown59]

Should one, while side-hill mowing, leave the FEL attached, or not? Just trying to figure the safest way to do this, since I have certain areas that will have to be mowed this way. I do have the rear wheels loaded. Not sure if the FEL will create a higher center of gravity even if lowered to the ground empty. Not a big deal to dismount but if I should leave it on I will, or vice-versa. Tried a little side-hill driving without MMM (since I haven't received it yet) yesterday with the FEL and Boxblade attached, lowered near the ground, then noticed the front wheels had to be turned up the hill to the point they were chewing up the grass to stay on course. Not sure if the FEL caused this, or not. Just want to make sure I understand the "physics" of the center of gravity altering of the FEL. Thank you all for the answers in advance!

I will not side mow the lower 2/3rds of this slope with my BX23. Too much pucker factor.

I mow it with my BX1500 . There is no pucker factor.

 

[Jaylegger]

One portion of my lawn approaches 12 degrees and being new to mowing with a tractor gave me more pucker factor than I wanted. I decided to check the roll-over point of my tractor in a controlled manner winching it up close to what I believed was it's roll-over point and at about 18 degrees I didn't want to go any further. Sitting on the tractor at that slope to get a "feel" of the danger (can't really stay on the seat) was very educational and I would suggest everyone give it a try.

 

[zzvyb6]

Since the CG height is pretty much defined by the engine and transmssion mass heights, it would depend on how wide the bucket is (sort of an outrigger), whether its filled with heavy stuff (stones or iron), and how low you are running it. Loaded tires don't actually help much because their average CG height is (you guessed it) at the transmission height. So its a draw. I run with the loader on, down at ground level, and filled with dirt or bolders. Your hill is nothing compared to mine. I'll get you a picture of a tractor on a really steep side hill!. I use the left/right brakes to maintain path on the hill. My tractor slides down the hill (AG tires) when on the high slope and the grass is wet.

Obviously, putting wheels at their widest track, staying away from bumps and ruts, and keeping fuel tank level low in this situation, helps a lot. 10 gall of Diesel oil at shoulder height is a substantial CG height modifier. Front weights set at a low weight-bar height certainly help, as does weight set on the mower deck ( if its locked down).

 

[Wacky]

Did an experiment, with FEL on more unstable IMO. Did a slow drive on the incline and noticed much more sliding on the front tires with FEL and no noticable slippage downhill without.