Somebody help out the new guy

[chromecrow]

I have a JD 755 compact tractor. It is 2WD with hydro trans. With the 60" MMM it will mow like nobodys business. I recently bought 57 acres of blackberry brairs and various other weeds. I also bought a 4 foot bush hog. This tractor does not like to be operated on hillsides when bush hogging. Does it need to be wider? heavier ? or traded in on a bigger tractor? Any advice is welcom and thanks, John.

 

[DennisArrow]

you arent alone about the hill...........over in the safety forum there are lots of threads about hill safety..........good luck, go slow, load those tires, get a rop, wear your seat belt, get a dual axis degree meter, and do thank HIM for blessing you and taking care of YOU.........Dennis

 

[JerryG]

chromecrow,
Your tractor is large enough to brush hog with that mower. The draw back to your tractor is that it is 2 wd. If you had 4wd, it would act entirely different on the hills.

 

[Slamfire]

My gray market Mitsubishi used to scare me when hauling logs for fire wood. I found one like it being parted out and bought the rear wheels. Had the local machinist make a spool and mounted them up. Haven't used 4wd since. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[slowrev]

the weight of the tractor will make the biggest difference when brush hogging on the side of a hill.

 

[frank_f15]

WELCOME TO THE FORUM; would be easier to ans. your question if we had an idea of your total acerage, and other uses for the tractor.

 

[JerryG]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( This tractor does not like to be operated on hillsides when bush hogging. Does it need to be wider? heavier ? or traded in on a bigger tractor? Any advice is welcom and thanks, John.)</font>

I may have misunderstood what you are saying. Are you saying that the tractor doesn't stay on the steep places very well or are you saying that you are not comfortable driving it on steep places?

 

[chromecrow]

Well heres the deal. There is a spot about two acres worth that is on a hill. The tractor will go up the hill no problem. It is when I turn to go up or turn to go down that the Pucker Factor? comes into play. Anyway my neighbor saw me fighting with it( he was also out mowing ) and said he would mow it for me. He has a Massey Ferguson 35, gas powered 2wd. He proceeded to do donuts and figure 8's all over this hill like it was nothing. So that got me to thinking what is it that causes his tractor to go better than mine? I can make it heavier by filling the tires. I could make some extensions for the rear wheels( they are 1 position) or a set of dual rear wheels to make it wider. I also have thought about different rear tires, I currently have 31-15.50-15 terra track tires. I know somebody out there has the answer. Thanks, John.

 

[cowboydoc]

The problem is you're trying to do too much with too little tractor. 4wd makes three times the tractor. The MF 35 has a wider wheelbase, width, etc. It also has more hp.

 

[Soundguy]

Yikes... your rears are a one seting rim.. as in you can't reverse them for extra width?? I thought all manufactures provided people with this ability?!?!? I would think about another color other than green next time.. they are well expensive enough to have given you an option like that..

Soundguy

 

[BigEddy]

Check the position of your wheels. They CAN be switched to widen your wheel base. There are no adjustments on the rims themselves, but reversing them changes the width substantially.
Loading the tires will make a big difference. Think about adding front weights as well.
Big Eddy

 

[tdenny]

As someone mentioned having 4WD is by FAR the most important part of mowing up and down them there hills. In fact if it is a real steep hill I personally only go down in the backward direction. I tend to drive up the hills and back down and then drive up again, etc., etc. I forgot one day to put mine (855) in MFWD when going down the hill to get to the bottom to turn around and she just started sliding. Your 755 is adjustable for both the front and rear tires. I would make sure they are set to the widest position and this should make you feel more comfortable. Good luck

 

[chromecrow]

I sure appreciate all the helpful input from you all. To further elaborate, the rear tires are 31x15.50-15 on 15x13 wheels theyhave the same spacing on both sides so the width is the same if I turned them around. The tires are a bar type turf. I have a 60 lb weight in each one. I also have nine 40 lb weights on the front. Seven will keep the front tires on the ground with the bush hog but all nine keeps them firmly on the ground. I have thought about fabricating a set of dual rears, also a taller R-4 type tire. I can have the tires loaded, they all have air in them now. Then there is the expensive route, get a new tractor.

 

[RegWaters]

I have the same Tractor 755 2wd with 60" mmm deck and terra tires. I don't have a bush hog but do have a 6 foot land pride rear blade. With the blade on the rear I have to put 7 weights on the front to keep it on the ground. Once I noticed the tires getting a little slack and decided to add some air . I set them at the pressure rating on the side of the tire, (30 PSI I think) and the handling went to pot. Bounced me all over the place. Got the manual out and I think it calls for 15 psi or so. ( I work for Michelin you'd think I would know better) . Anyway check the tire pressure.
My only other comment is do you intend on bush hogging the hill from now on. Perhaps the neighbor can knock the big stuff down and you can keep it mowed with the MMM. I know mine is one stout deck. I've used it like a bush hog to clear some of the woods around my house and the only causualty is some dull blades. I've got 2 sets and keep a spare sharpened.
Just a few suggestions but if you need someone to tell the wife you need a new tractor I'll tell yours if you'll tell mine !!!!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif