Took a slide today!

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi,

I had an interesting experience today�ca learning experience actually�cI would like to share it! Actually caused me to post a tire-chain related post in owning/operating�c

here</font color=blue>

To make a short story shorter, I was coming down a short, not-that-steep slope, one that I had traveled many times before, and the tractor started sliding out of control. All ended well, BUT it could just as easily had been different, had the slope been longer, steeper or whatever.

The ground was wet and there were some fallen leaves. Actually was raining some as well. But I was still not expecting what happened. I had just got the tractor back from the dealer after a warrantee repair. I was moving VERY slowly. Just had started moving a few feet before the slope starts down. I forgot to check and see if the tractor was in 4WD. Had it been in 4WD I don't think the slide would have happened.

I will try to post a couple pictures. The first is from the top, looking down. Apparently, the left wheel started slipping and I did not think to hit the differential lock. Not sure if that would have helped anyway. After the slide started I immediately realized I was not in 4WD, but did not want to push the clutch in to try to engage it for fear of making things worse. I did try the brake, but that did not seem to make much difference.

Most amazing thing is that this slope is not that great! You can see that I stopped just before starting down the next little slope. After going into 4WD I proceeded normally.

Is there a message here? I think so. Watch out on slopes when it is wet! Even those you have traveled many time before!

Bill in Pgh, PA

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Here is a second shot, from the side. You can see that the slope is really not much at all�c

Bill

 

[Anonymous Poster]

PS,

Forgot to mention, that as I was sliding I was totally out of control...could not steer...could not stop...just waited until the I stopped...

Bill

 

[Rick Jay]

Bill,

Glad to hear that you were unhurt in this incident. It's amazing how slick some soils get when they get wet.

We have clay on our property. About 7 years ago we had a foundation poured for a new garage. The concrete form truck was parked in our back yard, which has only a very slight grade. We got rain....then some more rain...and a bit more. When they came to get their truck, it would barely move. They had to keep it there for a week until the ground dried enough. I was almost ready to assess a parking fee.

Funny thing, they really needed the forms on the truck for another job and had to lift them off with another form truck parked safely on our driveway.

Again, glad to hear you're unharmed. Chains should help.

Good Luck,

~Rick

 

[Thomas]

Leaves and wet ground sure can make a bad combo on a slope /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

Also wondering..did you have any problems going back up the slope..good traction??

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi,

<font color=blue>Also wondering..did you have any problems going back up the slope..good traction?? </font color=blue>

I didn't go back up. I was taking the tractor down to put it under roof. But I probably should have went back up, as a test to get the feel for what it will be like going up in snow...

After putting it in 4x4 it went down the next little section without any problem.

Bill

 

[normde2001]

I'm betting you got turf tires on that puppy. That's why I'm keeping my rice tires. A few cleat marks never hurt anything.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Wow, never happened to me yet, but just looking at it, I changed my drawers.

Glad to see your ok and nothing was hurt! Thats the main thing!!

 

[Stonewall]

A similar thing happened to me in my 4WD Pick up. There hadn't been any rain for days but it was this time of year and the ground was freezing every night and thawing in the day. We were clearing some under growth in a woods and had no trouble getting in in the morning but getting out for lunch was a slippery proposition! As with you - No harm no foul but the lesson is learned. Maybe plant some treated timbers across your slope and give it a little cord-o-roy for traction?

 

[GSS]

Yikes. I'm glad I haven't had the urge to take mine out on the hill behind my place. You've seen it. My slide wouldn't be straight for very long. I'd go sideways and then... I'll skip that thought. I'm glad you posted this. I always go straight up or down that hill, but now I know I need to beware of soil moisture before even considering it!

Do you have the industrial tires? I forget.

- Gerald

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi,

<font color=blue>I'm betting you got turf tires on that puppy. That's why I'm keeping my rice tires. A few cleat marks never hurt anything. </font color=blue>

I'll take that bet...but I only bet on sure things.../w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

R4 industrials...liquid filled in the back and foam filled on the front...

GSS...yes, please be very careful on wet slopes! This took me totally by surprise and you start moving very quickly...

Good lesson I must say.

Bill

 

[kevincook]

Been there, done that.

I never drive down hills without being in 4wd anymore. When it is in 4wd it also has 4 wheel brakes!!!

Did you try dropping the bucket to get more weight back on the rear wheels?

 

[stevepio]

I have found that the box blade with the shanks down makes a pretty good emergency brake too!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Hi,

You guys got both things that were going through my mind after the fact.

I did have the loader on...but was more involved in steering [or trying to] and trying the brakes...the loader may have helped some...did not drop it...should have...but...

Things happen pretty fast you know. Since the tractor just came back from the dealer, I did not have anything on the back...but was thinking that a box blade would have been a nice anchor too!

Can't wait to get my chains!

Bill

 

[hazmat]

macher, I had a similar experience, forgot to put it in 4wd started skidding when I hit the brakes. Luckily I had the FEL on. pushed it down. Most expensive anchor I've ever used.

 

[Egon]

I have also had a slide with my 7100. It was on dry ground, loaded bucket towing a granite rock [1000pounds???] slightly crosswise down a 20 % slope. The rock was roundish and started to roll off to the side pulling the rear of the tractor with it. Trees were in the road to steer into the slide, didn't dare lower the bucket so pushed the hst pedal to max forward and got everything all in line again. Next rock was hooked shorter and used a different route that let me go straight down.

Egon

 

[Trev]

<font color=blue>I never drive down hills without being in 4wd anymore. When it is in 4wd it also has 4 wheel brakes!!!</font color=blue>

It does? Are the front and back wheels locked together so that stopping the back wheels also stops the front? I never thought about it before ... but ... you can bet I will now! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Bird]

<font color=blue>It does?</font color=blue>

Yep, it does./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

HI,

I also use 4wd on hills as a practice. Yes it does give four wheel braking, as the front wheels are tied to the back through the transmission, when in four wheel drive.

BUT...if you forget to put it in 2wd...well...such is life. Enjoy the slide...

Now that does not mean that a slide cannot occur in 4wd...but chances are less...at least that is the way it seems to me.

Bill in Pgh, PA

 

[BigDave]

I just looked in my manual...there aren't any front brakes. /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif/w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif I'm feeling pretty stupid right now./w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif Don't worry it will pass. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Now, I have two questions? First, how much slip does a front differential allow, none, limited or full, and what does that mean for braking? Second, will driveline braking exert greater forces than for which the driveline was designed and potentially shorten the driveline life expectancy?