Skid Steer Stability

[Anonymous Poster]

Anyone have experience with a tracked skid steer?

I have steep slopes (2:1 or 45 degree) around a lake and I would like to know if it would be safe to operate a tracked skid steer with a bush hog on such slopes.

Pat in Va.

PTM1234@AOL.COM

 

[MarkV]

Pat,

I don't have near as many hours on a skid steer as I do on a tractor, but with my experience, 45 degrees, not me. There are several skid steer owners on the forum and maybe someone with more experience will chime in.

MarkV

 

[DarinRay]

Pat,

I personally wouldn't operate a skid steer on a 45º slope because of the fact how these units can operate soooo fast that if you were to move in the wrong direction too fast you may end over end the baby or side over side. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif BUT if you were to rent one and maybe try it before buying it on your slopes you would know alot more about the stabiltiy or lack there of and could make a better decision later. But hey that's only my .02./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I do know that you would have fun after finding the places to operate the skid steer. After seeing a picture of a 873 on this site I actually, well for a minute, started dreaming about one. Did searches in machinery sites for used ones but then was awaken by "YOU DON'T NEED THAT" & "NO WAY YOU ARE GETTING THAT" kinda stuff. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Oh well back to the drawing board.

Darin

 

[Phred]

Pat,

I also wondered about this so I asked on of the manufacturers. Here is the answer I recieved (which probably holds true for most skidsteers);
".... skid steer loaders are approved to travel on a five to one 20 % (11
degrees) slope (full or empty). XXX does not recommend traveling on side slopes with skid steer loaders.

XXX compact track loaders have a recommended maximum slope of 35% (20 degrees).

Proper operating procedures must be followed whenever someone is operating
XXX equipment. Here are some guidelines for operating on slopes.

The surface must be dry and hard.
The loader must travel straight up and down the slope.
Carry the load low.
The operator must fasten the seat belt and use the seat bar (if
equipped).
Never exceed the loader's rated operating capacity.
The heavy end of the machine should always be "uphill".
(When the bucket is loaded, that is the heavy end and when it is
unloaded, the rear of the machine is the heavy end.)
"
Bottom line is that the tracted version is better but neither will get you to 45%. Also if you have ever run one of these you will note that they are a bit back heavy with an empty bucket / no implement on the front. In fact you need to load them on a trailer backward to prevent flipping it on its back.

A tracked skidsteer and a mower (like the brushcat) sure would be neat. But I bet I would need a new set of pants long before 45%. /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Fred

 

[MossRoad]

Not to get off the skid steer subject, put Power Trac offers 40 and 45 degree slope mowers. You might want to check into it. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.power-trac.com/series1800.htm> Power Trac 1800 Series </A>

 

[Phred]

Your right.
But 20K is one expensive mower.
Particularly when you can get a used skidsteer for ~10K.

Granted the powertrac is alot better tool for mowing. But the skidsteer is probably better for dirt work.

Fred

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Pat:
I did a lot of research on slope mowers some time ago. I found that there are only a very few that can handle a 45 degree slope. I just bought a Power Trac 1845, which is rated for 40 degrees when equipped with dual wheels on all 4. I got the single turfs, so can't go that steep. The 1850 is rated for 45 degrees with duals. Several other brands, DewEze, HillBilly, etc. and some European makes may come close. I think, however, that there is no riding machine genuinely safe when it is that steep, and even the walk behind commercial mowers will require care and skill to operate safely at 45 degrees. My understanding is that skid steers, even with tracks, are less suited to steep work than many compact tractors. They are superior to CUTs (and to my Power Trac) in dirt work, but not mowing, particularly on slopes or areas where the turf damage from the wheels or tracks is a problem.

 

[Charlie_Iliff]

Phred:
As you know, I just got a Power Trac 1845. You're right, it is an expensive lawnmower, but I do have a lot of mowing to do, and that was my primary objective. Power Trac has developed a quick attach system that has similar function to a skid steer system. You change implements from the seat, getting off only to plug and unplug hydraulics, just like the skid steer. Power Trac offers a lot of attachments, such as FEL, snow blade, tiller and even a fence post driver. I have ordered a Long 4 in 1 bucket, and the Lackender skid steer hoe with a Power Trac quick attach. Even with those, a skid steer will surely outdig me, but I won't have to deal with three point hitches -- or picks and shovels-- at least not much. The Power Trac gives me some skid steer advantages, while still being a top grade mower.
Skid steers are also better for pure loading, fork work, etc. They generally have higher lift than the Power Trac. I started with the requirement of slope mowing, however, and the articulated Power Trac is very gentle on the turf, and very comfortable on steep slopes. I estimate mine at 20 to 30 degrees, not 45. Someday I'll get a meter, and probably find they aren't as steep as I thought.

 

[beenthere]

Pat
Look at this site, for the all-terrain mower. May be more than you have in mind, but it will handle quite a slope. www.deweze.com

 

[Phred]

Charlie,

Your right on target.
The bottom line is it depends on your needs.

We could all use a four wheel drive tractor, skidsteer, and a power trac. That way we would have the right tool for each job.

To bad thats about 70K worth of machines and attachements./w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Fred