Steepest grade you have made it up?

[k0ua]

I have some extreme slopes here too. When I originally came here to Branson, I sold my tractor thinking I would not be able to use it. But I have had 3 tractors here now and lived to tell about it. Some areas you just have to be very careful. some areas, you just have to leave alone and live to fight another day.

 

[vtsnowedin]

And if the wheel spacers are really wide, you can't fit between the trees, which will keep you from sliding down the hill.

View attachment 424643



Bruce

Yes wheel spacers and adjustable rims can give you a much wider and stable stance and if two trees are closer then you're wide butted tractor can fit through then one of them belongs in the wood pile.

 

[DT86]

This is probably one of the steepest I've ever done.

 

[yanmars]

That looks steep.

 

[LD1]

Agreed, but most tractors are limited in what they can climb by traction. Slippage will bury you quickly. Properly added weight will reduce slippage, allowing the operator to effectively use available power. Of course, adding weight incorrectly can introduce problems - that is why we ballast the tires, add wheel weights, and place suitcase weights where they will have the desired effect.

On flat or mostly flat ground you are correct. But on steeper slopes, adding weight is also more you have to carry up hill.

At what point of steepness where weight begins to hurt you in the real world I don't know. But anything more than 45 degrees and more of the weight is trying to pull you down hill than aid in traction.

 

[CalG]

I've got a bank barn that the Fordson lives under.

The "hard way" out is a pretty steep climb. It's easy to claw up the slope with the front wheels clawing fresh air and the clutch foot deciding how much air is showing.

I bet 30 degrees Max.

 

[CalG]

Yes wheel spacers and adjustable rims can give you a much wider and stable stance and if two trees are closer then you're wide butted tractor can fit through then one of them belongs in the wood pile.

I've narrowed down to fit the trees! No use in setting up for hills if you can't get there. !

 

[DT86]

At what point of steepness where weight begins to hurt you in the real world I don't know. But anything more than 45 degrees and more of the weight is trying to pull you down hill than aid in traction.

Doesn't it depend on where that weight is?

I run with my grapple up front while bush hogging on severely steep ground to keep the nose down. That 1,000lbs on the back would really screw me over.

 

[Teachu2]

On flat or mostly flat ground you are correct. But on steeper slopes, adding weight is also more you have to carry up hill.

At what point of steepness where weight begins to hurt you in the real world I don't know. But anything more than 45 degrees and more of the weight is trying to pull you down hill than aid in traction.

I have no intention or desire to climb a 45 degree slope on a tractor, or any other land vehicle. Not gonna do it - up or down.

 

[Sysop]

I would think as long as the center of gravity stays forward of the propulsion it is aiding in the traction on the hill. I can't climb the hill I mentioned in the previous post without a load of gravel (probably a ton) in the FEL. With an empty FEL the front gets pucker-factor-inducing light, all four tires spin as the front bounces in the air slightly, and all forward motion stops... I don't think I'm at 45 degrees by no means, but I'd think the leverage of having the weight far enough uphill and forward of the tire's contact patches would aid in traction at any angle (whether it produces usable amounts or not I would question).

I know the big right of way mowers used on the most extreme hills we have here, have these massive racks of suitcase style weights (only much larger) that extend way beyond the front of the units (probably 4' or perhaps more between the back of the weights and the front of the tractor). Some of them are duals front and rear, some are triples on the rear and duals on the front. They climb some amazing hills...