Mowing Maximum Hillside Mowing

Grrrr · Jul 26, 2007

I would go on virtually any hill side on a GT. Much lower COG and much easier to jump off! Just feels safer. Those pictures that Kevin posted would be good if he was going sideways accross it

. Would anyone drive up that hill like Kevin did in a 'real' tractor? Can't decide myself, but I don't think so.

ovrszd · Jul 26, 2007

Grrrr said:
I would go on virtually any hill side on a GT. Much lower COG and much easier to jump off! Just feels safer. Those pictures that Kevin posted would be good if he was going sideways accross it . Would anyone drive up that hill like Kevin did in a 'real' tractor? Can't decide myself, but I don't think so.

I 4 wheel with Jeeps a lot and own some very rough, steep timber land. I put my 5' Brush Cutter on the Kubota and open up trails. I have another Tiltmeter that goes to 45 degrees. I'll have to rig up something to fasten it on the hood and next time I'm brush cutting at the farm, I'll take some photos while going up and down the steep stuff. I back down and drive up stuff that's quite a bit steeper than I am willing to drive on sideways!!!

Different topic, my Dad spent four years in England during WWII. I'll have to ask my Mom where he was to see if it was anywhere near where you are Grrr.

jesseb3@att.net · Jul 26, 2007

Grrrr said:
I would go on virtually any hill side on a GT. Much lower COG and much easier to jump off! Just feels safer. Those pictures that Kevin posted would be good if he was going sideways accross it . Would anyone drive up that hill like Kevin did in a 'real' tractor? Can't decide myself, but I don't think so.

I dunno'. OVRSZD's meter says 25 degrees sideways, and I think I would do that. I have a BX, so I'm lower to the ground anyway. But, the GT's vertical climb also says 25, but looks much steeper! Is that sloped hood throwing off the measurement that far? I suspect that maybe vertical climbs look more severe(?)

And Grrrr, got a link to those rollovers??

wotalota · Jul 26, 2007

On a BX24 with just the mower on, 4WD and weighted rear tires I do sections that are 20 degrees. That is as far as I personally want to go. I did notice one time the steering felt light and looked down to see the upside front wheel a few inches in the air. I was unsuccessfully trying to remember what I had read on TBN about correction techniques when it slowly went back down. Didn't think to check the tilt meter at the time.

weiser · Jul 27, 2007

ovrszd said:
I back down and drive up stuff that's quite a bit steeper than I am willing to drive on sideways!!!

Ovrszd, you are right about sideways vs. forward/reverse roll, but I think you've got the direction backwards - just for the record - it's alot easier to roll a tractor backwards driving forward up a steep slope, because of the rear weight and tire/drive rotation direction. I think you want to back uphill, and drive down... especially if you are not smooth on the break or throttle. At least that's my understanding.

Not trying to be critical (or sound like an expert) here.

ovrszd · Jul 27, 2007

weiser said:
Ovrszd, you are right about sideways vs. forward/reverse roll, but I think you've got the direction backwards - just for the record - it's alot easier to roll a tractor backwards driving forward up a steep slope, because of the rear weight and tire/drive rotation direction. I think you want to back uphill, and drive down... especially if you are not smooth on the break or throttle. At least that's my understanding.

Not trying to be critical (or sound like an expert) here.

And I don't take it that way. I think you are right. I drive up stuff that I have to drag the Brush Cutter up because if I raise it, the cutter stays on the ground and the front of the tractor raises. So as long as there is a good landing spot at the bottom, I much prefer driving down than driving up.