[JayDavis]

I do a lot of shredder work when I am putting in overtime in a different department where I work. About 60 hours worth in the past 30 days. A lot of it is on slopes and I am using a JD7800 or 7810 with dual rears and a 15ft batwing shredder. I've mowed slopes where I could barely stay on the seat and that the steering wheel was useless. You had to use the split brakes and ride the uphill side brakes to keep the tractor angled uphill enough to counter the slide downhill gravity was causing.

Most of the time when you see people mowing slopes sideways instead of up and down is because they are mowing on contour to reduce erosion. When you go straight up or down sometimes you make ruts that water will flow down in a rain and cause washes to form. This is how it was explained to me at work...and they always tell me that if I am uncomfortable on a slope or in a certain situation just to leave it be and they'll get someone with more experience to get that spot later.

Slopes are tricky things sometimes I feel safer on a steep slope with solid uniform ground then I do on a moderate slope with loose pitted ground with wash outs. If your gut says it isn't safe, don't do it. No job whether it be for money or around the house that is so important it is worth risking your safety for