Mowing on slopes maximum angle before tip

[inaun]

OK, so I know there are multiple threads on this topic. But they all say the same about "pucker factor" and "if you don't feel safe". I do understand there are multiple factors, and no way to give a precise maximum angle before tipping that fits all tractors. That said, I'd like to try to quantify with some real data that could be used to derive general safe / unsafe angles in various scenarios.

To that end, I'm asking people to reply with specific information about their experiences, and to avoid replying with non-quantifiable information like how your butt feels or listening to the pucker factor. Also, please do not use this thread to post general safety information (safety first is *alwasy* good, but that information already exists in the other threads about mowing on hills). Instead, please post information such as:

1) What degree slopes do you mow / drive over sideways without experiencing any stability issues?
2) What is your setup relevant to stability (tractor type, ballasting, wheel width, etc.)?
3) If you have had the unfortunate experience of tipping over (or almost tipping over), what degree slope and were there contributing factors such as hitting a rock?
4) If you have specific angle guidelines from manufacturers / dealerships please share (along with the relevant tractor and setup information mentioned in 2).

Also of interest -- what degree slopes do you safely turn around on after having traversed uphill (and, of course, again info on the tractor and setup you use).

Hopefully we'll get enough good responses here for newbies like me to gain a better understanding as we try to understand the specific safety limits of our tractors.

Thanks!

 

[RjCorazza]

I understand what you are asking, but even if operators here give you specific information about what slopes they mow, and on what machine, this will not transfer to your slopes or equipment. There are simply too many variables... and the variables count.
I mow parts of a 28 degree slope with my zero turn, however, there are areas with ruts that will cause the machine to slide and likely roll when the wheels hit one. I rolled my walk behind like that a few years ago. I would never take my L4060 on that slope sideways. I generally feel comfortable at 15 degrees on a smooth and dry slope on my tractor (L4060 cab, loader, loaded rears).

Some older manufacturer manuals I had did specify 15 degrees as the"safe" limit, with the standard disclaimers. My current L4060 manual and ZD manuals don't seem to specify an actual slope number that is safe.

 

[ruffdog]

They're are simply too many variables... and the variables count.

I agree^

Tractor Stability and Instability

 

[Midniteoyl]

I usually slide off the seat before the ZT gets tippy. Feel like thats a good indicator

 

[TerryR]

What I think is the steepest section I mow across the slope measures 23 degrees. At that slope the tractor and mower crab sideways noticeably on dry grass -- the front tire has to be up the hill nearly a foot compared to what it is on level ground. I've mowed this section this way for 25 years.

That's the same slope that I turn on when mowing steeper sections up and down hill. I'm using a ditch and bank flail mower, fully extended to the side. I never raise if off the ground when it's on the downhill side of the tractor on much of a side slope. Nor do I start up the hill with it off the ground, having learned that lesson.

I also mow along a ditch with side slope of 29 degrees on the bank, with my tractor tires in the bottom of ditch, so they cannot slip down the hill. That actually feels more secure than the 23 degree section in the open field.

My tractor is a John Deere 870, with R1 tires front and rear, extended to their maximum width, and fully loaded. I also have a full complement of six suitcase weights (42 lb. each) on the front.

Whether or not any of this is safe for me, let alone someone with different equipment and situation, is of course questionable.

 

[Hay Dude]

Just mowed steep slopes today. This is a water detention basin. I cut it 4 times per year.

Looming to my left is the drain pipe for the basin. I get just a few feet from it with my mirror.

All tractors & equipment have different points at which they tip. I have found in the multiple close calls I have had is they usually feel like the upper side front tire would come off the ground, or the entire tractor would begin to slide.

 

[MossRoad]

...There are simply too many variables... and the variables count.
...

This.

 

[5030]

Just mowed steep slopes today. This is a water detention basin. I cut it 4 times per year.

View attachment 813329


Looming to my left is the drain pipe for the basin. I get just a few feet from it with my mirror.

View attachment 813330


All tractors & equipment have different points at which they tip. I have found in the multiple close calls I have had is they usually feel like the upper side front tire would come off the ground, or the entire tractor would begin to slide.

Remove the loader and lower your CG.

 

[DKCDKC]

I find that common sense is the best guide. I have operated a CUT 3038 for 11 years now mowing and doing other work. When I get to a hill that makes me uncomfortable, I slow way down and lower my FEL to just off the ground. I want my COG as low as possible. Sometimes, as I proceed, I just hit a point where I feel I could tip so I stop, backup, turn and try to approach the area from another direction. Only once, in 11 years and about 900 hours have I had a tire lift from the ground - and I caught that immediately by dropping the FEL then backing up and trying another angle. When using my much heavier finish mower, I have more tolerance for slopes and can handle almost any on my hilly land. The finish mower, at 750 pounds or so right on the ground, lowers my COG significantly. Again, trusting instincts and using common sense seem the best approach. My dad operated regular and tricycle John Deeres on this land for decades and never rolled one... Which was good because he did not have a ROPS or seat belt.

 

[John0829]

It has already been said, variables, and everybody has different ones to deal with. Equipment being used is, IMHO, one of the biggest. I have places I will not even consider taking my 1025R because it feels and is so tippy (had the wheels off the ground more than I like) but don't even give a thought about when using the old Ford.

 

[Hay Dude]

Even ground conditions play a role. Soft ground versus hard ground, etc.

I find backing onto steep ground to be safer and more effective-even in the amount of ground you mow.
The reason is as has been stated by me and others, the upper back tire is the “tippy” tire. If you put the tippy tire ahead of the front tires by reversing the tractor, you get an earlier warning AND the mower mows more grass (if it’s a bush hog or rear mower like mine) because you are pushing it across/up the hill in front of you.

Having the mower “in front” of you when reversing has a stabilizing affect for MY steep mowing situations.

Experience has taught me these things.

 

[true temper]

I have a section of ditch that makes me real nervous. For that small piece I take a piece of truck drive shaft that is 4” in diameter and put it in the tube on the bottom of my loader tower.
It sticks out about 3’ and I hang some weights on the end and wire them to keep them from slipping.
Adds a lot of weight to the high side of ditch, and keeps the weight low. Works pretty good and makes me feel better.

 

[Hay Dude]

I have a section of ditch that makes me real nervous. For that small piece I take a piece of truck drive shaft that is 4” in diameter and put it in the tube on the bottom of my loader tower.
It sticks out about 3’ and I hang some weights on the end and wire them to keep them from slipping.
Adds a lot of weight to the high side of ditch, and keeps the weight low. Works pretty good and makes me feel better.

Get ‘er dun!

 

[boatmoter]

we used to use a sickle bar on the back of a old 801 power master and angle the bar down while on top of the slopes to mow the slopes on canal dykes for the southwest florida water management back in the 60's,but we have bank mowers now which makes it much safer & faster

 

[groundcover]

Went by an overgrown ski slope one day and the old guy with me said he remembered when they would mow it with a tricycle tractor, that guy must have had a set !

 

[John0829]

Would be nice to own a bank mower, just don't have enough to justify the cost of one and a sickle bar just cannot get close enough. Even better would hiring someone to do all the trimming and mowing IF you could find anyone that would show up.

I guess nature and society is saying the old fat man needs something to help keep him in some kind of condition.

 

[IndyIan]

I go basically straight up and down the real steep stuff, with the back end down the hill, and start from the bottom. Then bumps or holes don't matter much, and I keep the front end loader on to reassure myself I'm not going over backwards as in 4wd and r1's can grip pretty good in turf! I don't mow hills for fun or profit though, so I rarely do stuff that steep and I'm not in a hurry. Steepest I'd guesstimate at between 30 and 35 deg? I've planted trees on it now, but I'd never take my ATV or SUV across it, let alone the tractor.

 

[Hoho223]

Can tip factor be measured? For example, jack the machine up on two wheels to the same degree of the measured slope you usually mow. Now try to lift the machine. If machine moves at all, it’s a no go.
Never tipped but when a wheel comes off the ground the pucker factor is the gold standard for me.

 

[Shenandoah MF1760]

Even ground conditions play a role. Soft ground versus hard ground, etc.

It's that etc. that will get you. If your tipping point is 20 degrees for example and you suddenly hit a mound or dip that throws you past that point you're likely not going to have enough time to recover before going over.

 

[Andrus]

Almost impossible to give a useful answer to this,... but here's something. Always be ready to immediately turn your front wheels downhill if you start to feel the tractor tipping, that will bring it back down. And of course, don't get in a place, like the edge of a cliff or a pond where you can't turn downhill...in which case you just better jump.