My Slope Guage lies.

[prs]

Sitting on a level garage floor, the little ball in the viscous liquid may be 5 degrees one way or the other. Mowing across steep slopes I saw it reporting about 10 to 15 degrees the OTHER way, hit a bump and it went to "0" and hit another and it was between 25 and 30 in the correct direction and that would be about right for were I was. It sure is a chintzy accessory to replace what they used to put in the dash. I think the liquid in it is too thick or the little ball is too light. Other than paying for something that does not work, its no big deal as I don't watch it much anyway.

prs

 

[k0ua]

I thought about getting one of those, but I decided watching that thing instead of watching what you're doing could be hazardous to your health.

 

[bcp]

You might want to investigate digital gauges.

https://www.google.com/search?q=slope+gauge&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5OxUVa-tG8vJsAXB3YHYBw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg&biw=1424&bih=704#tbm=isch&q=digital+slope+gauge

Bruce

 

[fordmantpw]

There's an app for that.

Just duct tape your smart phone (if you have one) to the hood.

 

[CurlyDave]

The very first thing I put on my tractor was one of the R&B tiltmeters from the Online Store (under "safety") on TBN.

It has never let me down and has worked perfectly for many years. One of the best investments I have ever made. I don't know if I have the same exact model, but the 25C is the current version of the one I have. Safety - Tractor By Net

 

[Citydude]

The slope gauge in your butt never fails. Listen to it.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[Raw Dodge]

I'm sorry but if you need to watch a guage on a slope,you shouldn't be on it,at that point it's about the turf conditions,feel,and operator skills,and experience,IMO its really a useless gadget and I wouldn't expect it to last to long..besides 30 degrees is a joke,and a liability protector, my dealer mows slopes over 40 degrees with his Steiner weekly,,no duals,no rops,no weights just the new 38 special otr tires,the old lightweight 48" deck,and an Onan 20 will run on any hill without oiling issues..he won't put his ventrac on that hill,due to the SLDA lever,very difficult to control on slopes that steep compared to Steiner...

 

[prs]

No need to be sorry. I've run on these WV hills since I was 9 years-old and my feel for where to trek is pretty well developed. I was not relying upon the gadget, just cast a curious eye to it when I noted the errant readings. The dealer will get a chance to shine.

prs

 

[johara1]

My dealer was giving them away ……. free, guess why what a pos…….. jim

 

[prs]

When I removed mine to return to dealer, I noticed the little steel ball had a deposit of ?dried oil residue? on an area of its surface. I rocked the gauge back and forth and could make it stick as it would come to rest on that clump of jelly like residue. So, shook the **** out of it. Then the little steel ball was clean and I could not even find the clot of residue. Seemed to work reliably then. So, I did not return it (yet). I mowed yesterday and today for about 5 gallons of gas worth; but forgot to look at the little do-dad.

prs

 

[oosik]

I never know what the degree of slope is. However, I've always listened to that little feeling in my hind end and its kept me out of trouble, so far.

The idea that you can always go to XX degree slope and be safe is what gets a lot of folks in deep trouble.

 

[Raw Dodge]

I never know what the degree of slope is. However, I've always listened to that little feeling in my hind end and its kept me out of trouble, so far.

The idea that you can always go to XX degree slope and be safe is what gets a lot of folks in deep trouble.

This last sentence it basically says that all. Probably the best thing said on the subject,next to Jacks 6 minute video on slope mowing, the video I consider to be the one all others will be compared to,and the best ever said about the subject.Truth is turf conditions,the condition of the tires on the machine, even the type of grass all combined can make a huge difference and the ability of the machine to safely operate on steep hills. I find if I have to go over 30 degrees it's best that I go straight up and down at least that's the case with the Steiner. I haven't used the Ventrac on hills that sleep yet, although I know I won't have any problems if I do it's just that control lever on my right side and the fact that I'm not exactly a skinny guy combine to make me feel a lot more comfortable on the Steiner at least on hils you are negotiating side to side. My dealer swears that the best combination for hills is an older Steiner 420,Onan 20hp,old style lightweight 48" deck,the Steiner weight transfer kit, 2 simple springs, no weights, single tires, the Steiner OTR,38 special tires,and a full tank of fuel.Straight up and down hills,or side to side..One day I'm going try to get video of him mowing his neighbors yard,he claims it's very close to 40 degrees....It doesn't make sense to me,I'd prefer duals,and a little more grunt under the hood....but he's yet to steer me wrong or say something he couldn't back up.

 

[johara1]

By the time the slope gauge tells you it 25- 30 degrees you are all ready in trouble. They are so slow it is like watching paint dry or a bumper rust?? lol.. When you cut slope with a dozer you sit on your slope gauge and your eye is really good?..

 

[brucet47]

Take a ball cap. Punch a hole in the brim and hang a 1oz lead sinker from it. If your head is upright and you can no longer see the sinker it's time to find a way off that slope! Just saying!

 

[Xfaxman]

Take a ball cap. Punch a hole in the brim and hang a 1oz lead sinker from it. If your head is upright and you can no longer see the sinker it's time to find a way off that slope! Just saying!

I tried that, but going uphill the sinker beat the snot outta my nose! :laughing:

 

[brucet47]

So that's why my nose is red. I thought it might be the extra shot of Jack I take when I hit the slopes.

I tried that, but going uphill the sinker beat the snot outta my nose! :laughing:

 

[RHartl]

I don't see a need for a slope gauge either. Here is a photo of me cutting a steep section of my lawn. I have no idea what the angle of the slope is, but the Steiner 430 Max diesel cuts it going up hill with a 72" mower deck. I have dual's all around and that helps. To climb I go to full throttle and go slow. If it starts to bog down I back off on the forward speed a bit and it gets to the top no problem. I have never felt unsafe, but I only cut this section straight up and down, I would not attempt to cut sideways. With my old John Deere I could only cut going down and had to circle to less steep areas to get back up. And that mower had a hard time holding the hill going down. Not too safe. A mower dealer once told me he did not know of any mower that could cut this slope while climbing. I guess he had not heard of Steiner.

 

[Raw Dodge]

I don't see a need for a slope gauge either. Here is a photo of me cutting a steep section of my lawn. I have no idea what the angle of the slope is, but the Steiner 430 Max diesel cuts it going up hill with a 72" mower deck. I have dual's all around and that helps. To climb I go to full throttle and go slow. If it starts to bog down I back off on the forward speed a bit and it gets to the top no problem. I have never felt unsafe, but I only cut this section straight up and down, I would not attempt to cut sideways. With my old John Deere I could only cut going down and had to circle to less steep areas to get back up. And that mower had a hard time holding the hill going down. Not too safe. A mower dealer once told me he did not know of any mower that could cut this slope while climbing. I guess he had not heard of Steiner. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/ventrac/426969-my-slope-guage-lies-cuttinghill-jpg"/>

Nice picture,although I know it doesn't do the hill justice.......I built my own weight transfer spring setup,and although it looks ugly I think it works better than the Ventracs 4000 series setup..it helps on hills like the one your on,especially if your turning around on the slope.

 

[Raw Dodge]

Here's one of myself a few years ago,with duals on a steep hillside,this pic doesn't do it justice,it's pretty steep,not sure in degrees but it's the only thing we have that will mow it,you can't walk up it unless you have metal golf spikes on....

 

[JKR]

that's crazy steep.