Can I descend a 40 degree hill on my 4700?

[Barely Smokin']

I have a particularly steep slope in my field....never measured it, but definitely has a strong pucker factor to it! Similar to yours.

I started out by going up it, with 4WD, R1's, and FEL. My logic was that if I could claw my way up it, my traction was probably good enough to stop myself on the way down. (I don't necessarily recommend you subscribe to my logic, but it makes sense to me.) I could claw my way up it, but typically only with the rear diff. locked. Considering these 4WD JD's, that should tell you something about how steep the hill is.

After years of mowing up the hill, I switched to down. The main thing I learned was to go slow, primarily to avoid losing traction----especially when you're just starting down the hill. I would never brake---all engine braking. Really, there shouldn't be a need to stop as long as your steering is good, right?

Def. wear your seatbelt. If you have to dig that FEL in to stop...wow...that could be one heck of a jolt!

 

[magicheater]

I was in the woods today going up my hill. When I reviewed the photos I took they look very similar to the photos posted of the steep hill, sooooooooooo I will retract my statement that it is "not steep at all". I will however say that going up and down a "steep" hill is much better than trying to traverse laterally, like one of those photos showed. Whenever operating a tractor, caution is needed.

 

[brin]

Absolutely you can do it and you do not have to remove your FEL at all..Just remember it is all in your using the proper gear and keep you foot off the clutch and the brake..It is all in using your low gears and even with just 2 wheel drive, should not be any problem keeping these things in mind. Remember ...keep your foot off the clutch if your tractor has one.

 

[pclausen]

My 4700 has the PowerReverser or whatever they call it. 12 gears forwards and back. I'm pretty sure I would not have enough traction to climb the hill from the bottom. One can barely climb the hill on foot. My 4-wheeler (300cc kawasaki can't make it up the hill).

Yes, I figured I'd use a moderately low gear and ensure I keep the nose pointed straight down and control the slide.

Just to be clear, the picture of the 4700 in the pics I attached are before I get to the really steep part. It's only 30 degrees or so on those pics. The steep part, which is about 75 feet long, is more like 40-50 degrees, so almost twice as steep.

I don't need to hog it yet. Not until things start to really grow from the removal of the shade trees, that will likely add some traction anyway.

Appreciate all the responses guys!

 

[SPYDERLK]

That is not steep at all. I have been pulling logs up a much steeper hill. Have to have a load in the bucket for some logs, and then there are the logs that I have to leave at the bottom and winch up, I can tell because the front end starts to come off the ground. When using your tractor in precarious places, the slower the better. Always keep the load as low as possible.

I've watched a Mennonite mow 40-50 degrees downhill over and over and over again in his 4600. You can't pay me enough to do what he does but for him it seems to be old hat. He had to come to a stop at the bottom each time too because he would otherwise run into a concrete drain. Seen him do it multiple times over a couple years with the same tractor.


Yeah right! Just cause you're doing something similar does not make that hill "not steep at all."

Yeah, he is right. Measured from your picture that is a 20 degree slope. Claims of anybody mowing 40-50 degrees are barely supportable by Physics. You would have to have a traction coefficient of 1 or better to do this. Even with good turf and AGs this traction level is unlikely in real life. Any change from ideal would send you into an unrecoverable slide unless traction coefficient was greater than 1.
larry

 

[arrabil]

Claims of anybody mowing 40-50 degrees are barely supportable by Physics.

Fair enough. But you should come see it for yourself then. I know what my 17 degree driveway looks like and I know that hill is more than twice as steep. And if its not at least 40 degrees, well... make a suggestion.

BUT, 20 degrees is still steep so my original comment disagreeing that hill "not being steep at all" still stands.

 

[dex3361]

Yeah, he is right. Measured from your picture that is a 20 degree slope. Claims of anybody mowing 40-50 degrees are barely supportable by Physics. You would have to have a traction coefficient of 1 or better to do this. Even with good turf and AGs this traction level is unlikely in real life. Any change from ideal would send you into an unrecoverable slide unless traction coefficient was greater than 1.
larry

How would the original poster go about getting an accurate measurement of the degree of the slope. It would be interesting to compare apples to apples I have worked on some steep slopes but haven't measured them so I cant offer any advice.

 

[BruceWard]

A digital level is an excellent tool for measuring the slope.

 

[SPYDERLK]

How would the original poster go about getting an accurate measurement of the degree of the slope. It would be interesting to compare apples to apples I have worked on some steep slopes but haven't measured them so I cant offer any advice.

Just a good picture like he posted, and a protractor is good. Those trees give an accurate reference for the vertical. Also, hardware stores have an inexpensive level&angle finder.... perhaps $5. Its small so you set it on a straight board so you can span several feet in measurement. I find 30 degrees [58%] is about all any of my tractors can climb w/o some slipping -- verry close to the limit.
larry

 

[magicheater]

I find 30 degrees [58%] is about all any of my tractors can climb w/o some slipping -- verry close to the limit.larry

Drawing on some roofing experience I would have to agree, a 6/12 pitch roof (27.5 degrees)is about all one can do w/o roof jacks. After all physics is physics. I will say one thing though, when you are on your tractor with a load, that 30 degrees FEELS like 40!! Here are my pics, the crest of the hill has a steeper pitch than the rest of the slope and that is where I would normally have problems. Included one of the destination also.