Mowing slopes with a tractor

[jcummins]

How much of a slope can a tractor do when mowing? The former owner of my place now, says he has mowed two pond dams we have by just "side hilling"....these are 25 deg and 30 deg slopes. His tractor is a JD 5410.

I won't side hill the 30 deg slope in my Gator....and my pucker makes me thinks he is right at the limit.

I'm debating my self with getting a tractor to take over some of this mowing, but I'd be going much smaller...something like a Kubota L3940, and would suspect I could mow with a brush hog by angling down the sides. Some wet area at the bottom so straight down and back with a tractor...don't think will work. I've also thought of getting an F series mower which I have in another thread...but kind of leaning to the tractor now.

 

[cdodson21]

As long as it sticks and picks up oil

 

[94BULLITT]

That is a tough question to answer. The other day I went across a spot on the BX and it was a little over 30*. The Grand L is a pretty stable tractor. The best advice I could give you would be to only do what you feel comfortable doing and use common sense.

 

[rekees4300]

The back of my pond dam is 30 degrees. I mow it with a tractor and brush hog but for me 30 degrees is the safe limit. I always mow with the front of the tractor pointed straight downhill. Never uphill or across. Don't know what "side hilling" means but if it means mowing across the slope then that would be extremely dangerous! I always use 4WD, low gear, ROPS and seatbelt. This is important: before you mow it the first time, walk over the entire area looking for stumps, logs, ruts, holes, etc. Hitting any sort of uneven obstruction can cause a rollover.

 

[DKCDKC]

Rekees4300 has it right. Know the area intimately. I've had my CUT on a moderate slop with no issue, they suddenly hit a rock/log with the upper wheel, or a groundhog hole or similar with the lower, and had wheels come off the ground. The secret is to know the area, and don't take chances. If ever in doubt, go really slowly so you will have a chance to stop and back out of the situation. Also keep your FEL and implements as low as possible. Keep aware of the center of gravity for your tractor. If it even approaches being above your downhill tire, stop and adopt a new strategy.

 

[shucksters]

Agreed with all the above....take your time and don't push it...there is always another way if your gut tells you it's not safe

 

[Danscaper]

whatever makes your afraid makes others like me smile. with that said, you could probably handle even deeper slopes but it sounds like your not used to it so you should stick with what makes you comfortable. nobody can tell you what to do or get and what can handle what. too many factors. you will just have to take baby steps

 

[MBTRAC]

If you need to maximise a tractors mowing ability on a slope, mow down the slope & reverse up the slope - if mowing across the slope makes you think twice IMO it's best not to do it, however you can incease a tractors stability by widening the wheel track &/or adding dual wheels.

 

[Ken45101]

People do get injured and killed every year mowing slopes. Do not assume that it is safe.

Good advice in the thread here.

 

[jcummins]

Don't know what "side hilling" means but if it means mowing across the slope then that would be extremely dangerous!

That is what I mean...and he's been mowing that way.

These are clean mowed slopes...no surprises. And the 30 degree slope...is only 30 in one spot for a short ways and probably 25 on the rest....but still. I won't drive my Gator across the slope, but he also mentioned he wouldn't drive his Kubota RTV cross ways either...but the tractor he's comfortable with it.