Guess the angle

[7snakes]

I have a JD 5045e with a mx6 brushhog and a 553 loader/bucket on the front. This hill is making me a little nervous this year with the loader on. I know, I could/should take the loader off, but my thought is it is giving more weight up front to keep the front end down as I drive straight up and down the hill. Last year I mowed this several times without the loader, but I had a couple suitcase weights( approx 200 lbs.) on along with the heavy weight holder. I didn't have trouble at all as long as I mowed the top part in 4wd. I drove it up and down with ease. Am I wrong thinking the loader will be even better to keep the front down? No problems so far on the parts that I have already done, but that top section I am not so sure about. Feels really steep. Anyway, what are your guesses on the angles of this hill? This loader is fairly new to me. Any polite comments are appreciated.

 

[brin]

I would guess 25 deg. and I think you could safely mow it sideways as long as you keep your bucket low...just off the ground, be sure you know where any down hill pot holes are and avoid them, go slow low speed and if you ever did start to slip just turn downhill and you should be fine. If you want to just mow up and down the hill the just keep your bucket low. I routinely mow two hillsides on my farm..one by the lake is a little steeper than yours and I have mowed it with both my JD 3020 with fel and tC-29d with fel..just go slow and be careful.

Also remember if mowing from side to side instead of up and down you don't have to go straight across you can mow in arches so you start out at the bottom of the hill on one side and slightly turn up the hill and make a curving cut then come back again with a higher curving cut up the hill and so on...so while you are cutting sideways you are still almost always going up or down the hill except for brief moments when you are in the arc or each cut...does that make sense..? I wish I could draw it out for you...

 

[Runner]

I agree with 25 from the middle up, looks like it levels out to about 20 below the mid section.

I don't think I'd try it side-slope with my machine. 20 is about my limit.

 

[TripleR]

I mow levies just a little bit steeper in appearance than that with my CX80 both up and down as well as sideways, but would not try going sideways with my L5030. I grew up in the flat lands though and don't think I will ever be "comfortable" mowing sideways on these inclines.

 

[sweettractors]

I would be more concerned about going down the hill when a little wet than going up with the loader on. The loader will take traction off your rear wheels and you could slide down. Ken Sweet

 

[RoyJackson]

Based upon the first picture, the upper section of the slope is 15-20 degrees, the lower section is 8-12 degrees.

 

[JoeL4330]

I would be more concerned about going down the hill when a little wet than going up with the loader on. The loader will take traction off your rear wheels and you could slide down. Ken Sweet

Yup...except that he has 4wd and that's how I would mow downhill, no matter what

 

[7snakes]

Am going to try to get a few better pics as I would have guessed 30+ degrees on the upper section. I find it hard to get up it walking without stopping and I felt I was in pretty good shape. :ashamed:

 

[sweettractors]

Yup...except that he has 4wd and that's how I would mow downhill, no matter what

I would be concerned about what was in that ditch at the bottom of the hill. I have had new tractors pop out of 4 wheel drive. I have also forgot to put tractor in in 4 wheel assist before I started a job like this. Just be careful. Ken Sweet

 

[7snakes]

Ok , I hope these do this hill more justice-maybe I just am afraid of heights?