How steep is too steep (and how do I know)?

[rd_macgregor]

Occasionally, you come across a slope that is better-off planted in trees or shrubs than in something you have to mow. If mowing the slopes you pictured makes you overly fearful for your life, you might consider reforestation of the steepest parts.
BOB

 

[Dargo]

I have some 'steep' slopes on my property and then I have some 'extreme' slopes. I consider the slopes 'extreme' when you cannot climb them with hiking boots and your hands; even pulling out all the grass or shrubs you can get a hold of. Those slopes I leave alone.

The 'steep' slopes I have are more than quite the challenge for any motorcycle (without a 5' extended rear swing arm) or ATV. I've only graded them with an old (borrowed) D9 that had a 8' stinger on the rear I could stab in the ground to slow my progress while pushing dirt down the slope. The seat belt hurts after a while and I have my feet on the dash when going down those hills. If the ground conditions are right, I can back up those slopes with a 8' rotary cutter out the back and both the front and rear axles locked in 4X4 and the bucket out front just in case.

There are too many factors that go into play when deciding the exact angle. If I have to make turns, less of a slope. If there are stumps or rocks, less of a slope. If there are ruts in the slope, less of a slope. I've gone over several times in equipment I didn't own but was paid to work. Sometimes it's surprising how far you can push things and other times one side slides, you get sideways, and you wonder why you even tried as you flip down the hill. If in question (especially if it's your equipment), don't try it if your gut says "too steep".

 

[rd_macgregor]

Some folks think that since they now have 4WD, they can go anywhere. Some hills are just too steep, soft, bumpy or whatever...also, see what happens when you get sideways on the hill:

YouTube - Formula Offroad Insane Crash

BOB

 

[wombat]

Bump.

Hey folks.

I've been here before on the Yanmar pages.

I have moved back south in Australia from flat land in Queensland to hill country west of Melbourne.

My little Yanmar YM2000 just doesn't cut it out here on the hills.

I am in the middle of buying a 1994 Antonio Carraro Tigre 4800 for slashing and general farm work [no cultivation].

I am wondering what your views are on these tractors.

They seem very specialised.
Expensive but you almost never see them for sale second hand over here in Oz.
Seems like they either stay on the property when/if it is sold or the neighbore buys them.

W










bump

 

[dennis52]

Just thought a picture might help. If the pucker factor gets to much don't do it. Always use a seat belt regardless and if you do go over keep your arms and legs within the tractor area. This would not be a time to flail around.:thumbsup:

The picture with 43% certainly looks like what I have been slashing.

The only other advice I could give is don't do it when it's wet or soft. Brakes and 4WD won't stop you sliding. Always go slowly, up and down.

My Kubota B7100 has tyre ballast and wheels out wide.

However I just got a new Kioti DS4510HS and the dealer suggested to first try it on the slopes without ballast and widened wheels.

I have, with slasher and loader on, and found the Kioti very stable.

I have heard it suggested that tyre ballast is more of value for traction rather than slope stability. Any thoughts?

Any comments on preference for gear or HST on steep country?

 

[RoyJackson]

However I just got a new Kioti DS4510HS and the dealer suggested to first try it on the slopes without ballast and widened wheels.

I have, with slasher and loader on, and found the Kioti very stable.

I have heard it suggested that tyre ballast is more of value for traction rather than slope stability. Any thoughts?

I'm only going to comment on the traction/stability aspect.

I've had three tractors and all have had filled tires. Although they probably aid in traction (to a limited degree) and keeping the rear tires on the ground when using the loader, traction is really aided by adding adequate ballast to your 3PH.
Filled tires really help in stability. That weights adds inertia (resistance) to the tire raising off the ground when traveling across a slope. There is less "bounce" to those rear tires too.

If you feel your Kioti is stable without filled tires...well, your choice. However, I strongly encourage anyone with a tractor to fill their rear tires.

 

[k0ua]

The picture with 43% certainly looks like what I have been slashing.

The only other advice I could give is don't do it when it's wet or soft. Brakes and 4WD won't stop you sliding. Always go slowly, up and down.

My Kubota B7100 has tyre ballast and wheels out wide.

However I just got a new Kioti DS4510HS and the dealer suggested to first try it on the slopes without ballast and widened wheels.

I have, with slasher and loader on, and found the Kioti very stable.

I have heard it suggested that tyre ballast is more of value for traction rather than slope stability. Any thoughts?

Any comments on preference for gear or HST on steep country?

The loaded tires help when traveling sideways on steep hills. I have tried it both ways, with and without loaded tires. Loaded tires are better when hitting depressions and bumps. Also had a gear tractor and a HST tractor. HST wins hands down for traversing hills. stopping, starting, and crawling over rocks, all instances are better with the HST.

James K0UA

 

[955Lincoln]

Bump.

Hey folks.

I've been here before on the Yanmar pages.

I have moved back south in Australia from flat land in Queensland to hill country west of Melbourne.

My little Yanmar YM2000 just doesn't cut it out here on the hills.

I am in the middle of buying a 1994 Antonio Carraro Tigre 4800 for slashing and general farm work [no cultivation].

I am wondering what your views are on these tractors.

They seem very specialised.
Expensive but you almost never see them for sale second hand over here in Oz.
Seems like they either stay on the property when/if it is sold or the neighbore buys them.

W

bump

Not the same model as you are looking at but I absolutely love this tractor. Yours might even do steeper slopes than mine although I don't know my limits yet. It is supposed to slide before tipping but I hope I never get the chance to test that theory. I call it my quad on steroids as it will go pretty much anywhere on my hilly property.

The only thing I don't like about it is getting in and out because they strive to make this tractor compact to the point of being ridiculous. Sometimes I think there is an Italian engineer with a warped sense of humor sitting at his desk snickering with thoughts of people doing face plants. If you wear shorts there is a lever carefully placed to go up your pant leg. Long pants? No problem, another special lever for them. The floor boards are designed to wedge your work boot just as your weight is too far forward to recover from You do get used to it though and it would be much better without a cab.

They are pretty rare here also. I found an inexpensive used one clear across the country and gladly paid the reasonable price of $1000 to get it delivered. Part availability is very good and there is a super nice dealer not too far from me.

 

[slowzuki]

I've had both filled and unfilled tires. Loaded tires ride much worse doing field work and on the road, some radials even recommend against it. I've used my machines on some hills, the worst being mowing hay on a side hill I have where the uphill tire starts lifting off going over bumps.

The problem with sidehills is the bumps, on a smooth side hill with your tires set out wide, the tractor will tend to slide before it rolls. Add bumps and it will roll on a much gentler slope. Locally the guys with really bad hills add duals on the rear before working and will try to go up down as much as possible. They will work ground that I wouldn't want to walk up.

 

[dcyrilc]

I've had both filled and unfilled tires. Loaded tires ride much worse doing field work and on the road, some radials even recommend against it. I've used my machines on some hills, the worst being mowing hay on a side hill I have where the uphill tire starts lifting off going over bumps.

The problem with sidehills is the bumps, on a smooth side hill with your tires set out wide, the tractor will tend to slide before it rolls. Add bumps and it will roll on a much gentler slope. Locally the guys with really bad hills add duals on the rear before working and will try to go up down as much as possible. They will work ground that I wouldn't want to walk up.

My tractor came with duels when I got it. I put them on for the first time last fall and can tell you that there is no way to describe just how much difference it makes. Night and Day. Doesn't feel like it's even the same tractor. I'll vote for duels for stability any day of the week.:thumbsup: