How far off camber is too far

DrRod · Oct 5, 2005

Being relatively new to this tractor thing I don't have a good "seat of the pants" sense of my operating limits. I just don't know how steep a hill I can traverse safely and I don't know how to find out without taking a big risk. I have a JD 4110 with LX4 rotary mower, front weights, no FEL, and no fill in the tires.

There's probably no way you can give me a definitive answer without watching on-site, but maybe you could give me a few tips on how to estimate limits, recognize "too much lean", etc.

I have to say that there are times when it just feels a little light to me. I don't think I'm pushing the limits at all so maybe its just a matter of getting used to riding high in the field.

Appreciate your thoughts.

Rod

beenthere · Oct 5, 2005

If it is not comfortable, don't do it.

"Too far" is when you turn over on the side or flip over backwards. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif "How far" is too far, is not a well known number, as it depends on too many things.

If you are talking going across the side hill, then probably you will be uncomfortable long before you would tip over. Just be careful and fon't do it on ground that is not 'known' to you, i.e. with ruts or stumps that can suddenly change your 'tilt'. Some like the tilt meters, but I don't understand what they could do other than give you something else to watch. But they are available, if you want to 'watch' one.

If you are talking going up a hill then getting a feeling for how light on the front end is something to pay attention to. I think you will sense that the front wheels are a bit wobbly and don't set well on the ground before you will flip over backwards.

Going downhill, you will slide down first. Then you want to be cautious about touching one brake and not both brakes together. Stopping on wheel makes the other go twice as fast, so it can cause a sideways slide.

TCBoomer · Oct 7, 2005

I can safely mow across a 25* slope with a NH TC24DA and 914 MMM without the fear of flipping. If you have a rear mower I would limit it to a 15* slope.

Next time I mow in the daylight, I'll take a few pics to give you an idea of what it's like from the tractor seat.

MicroPilot · Oct 7, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I can safely mow across a 25* slope with a NH TC24DA and 914 MMM without the fear of flipping. If you have a rear mower I would limit it to a 15* slope.
)</font>

Why would you think that a rear mower is more unstable? A rear finish mower sets all the way on the ground and there is essentially no weight on the the tractor. I routinely mow slopes greter that 15* at my place with no thought of tipping. My neighbor mows across a slope on his place thats greater than 25*. The first time I saw this I thought for sure I would be calling 911!

TCBoomer · Oct 7, 2005

OK...ya got me /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif maybe I err'd a little too much towards caution. But with his opening words being...

>>>Being relatively new to this tractor thing I don't have a good "seat of the pants" sense of my operating limits. I just don't know how steep a hill I can traverse safely and I don't know how to find out without taking a big risk. <<<

it just made me think of my own experiences. In particular, about 10 yrs ago a bud of mine had a 20* slope for his front yard. With a length of about 250-300'. I don't remember the model #, but he used a JD Cut with a RFM to mow it. The RFM seemed to drag the back end of the tractor downhill. Always seemed that you were crabbing across the slope. I even tried it a couple times. If the grass was even slightly damp from dew...forget it. He wouldn't even think of going out to cut. He ended up selling the CUT tractor and RFM, and bought a garden tractor.

Besides that, I would think that if one had to constantly focus on correcting the steering to maintain directional control, not enough attention would be given to being aware of everything else. Meaning...mowing a 20* or less slope is one thing, but when you start to hit 25*, you'd better be TOTALLY ALERT as to your complete surroundings. Anything can happen!! Trust me...I've had a few situations that even "pucker" wouldn't come close to being the word /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

You say your neighbor mows with a RFM on 25* PLUS slopes?? Better him than me /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
and I'm sure there are many out there that do it too.

Roscoe · Oct 7, 2005

Here are some suggestions when working on slopes.

Space the rear wheels out as far as you can so you can still fit through all of your gate ways.

Because most of the tractors weight is transfered to the lower wheels, run the tyre pressures a bit higher than normal so the tyre dousnt try to roll under the rim.

Always work straight up or down of you can.

Engage the diff lock when going straight down a hill, this stops the underwear changing condition of one wheel suddenly spinning backwards and the tractor instantly doubling its speed.

One golden rule when going down a slope thats liable to cause a problem, ensure there is somewhere to go at the bottom if control is lost.

If your mower has skids under it, rest the full weight of the mower on the skids when going up or down the hill, eg, float the hydraulics.

Make sure your brakes are adjusted evenly on both sides so when the pedals are latched together, you get even braking.

You can put water in your front tyres to assist in stability when going up hills.

Let the normal human fear of danger be your guide, Im sure your family would like to see you come home safe and well.

And finally, Ask your self, Do I REALLY need to take my tractor over this peice of ground.

Cheers
Roscoe

kenmac · Oct 7, 2005

You could install a tilt meter. I think I read somewhere that you don't want to get on a slope more than 10 degrees.

kenmac · Oct 8, 2005

I found the site for tiltmeters

Roscoe · Oct 8, 2005

Re tilt meters, How do you propose to test your tractors limit in any given situation so you know what to watch for.

Even if you had a limit, all it takes is for the bottom wheel to drop into a slight dip or the top one to hit a bump and lift up.
This would happen way to fast for the meter to react and for you to correct the situation.

You need to be watching carefully where you going and not looking at a meter every few seconds to see if you are about to roll over or not.

I spent over 20 years here in 4wd clubs and I remember when tilt meters starting coming out in Japanese vehicles.
they were very quickly found to be dangerous because it gave the drivers a false sence of security.

Normally a tractor will start loosing steering control before it gets to its tip over limit, eg, the rear wheels will start to slip down or you will find you need to use the side brakes to keep it in line. This should be telling you that tractor is getting near its limits.

Another trick to use is, If you are working the same way on the slope all the time then adjust the sway chains so your implament is over on the "Up side"

Just a few more comments for the mix.

Cheers
Roscoe

DrRod · Oct 8, 2005

I checked out the tilt meter website. They kinda look like glorified bubble levels. Do you just bolt them on the steering column or is there more to them than that?

Thanks for all the comments so far.

Rod