More slope questions

[dcyrilc]

The only way to mow ditches.

 

[techwrtr2]

The only way to mow ditches.

I could use one of them. Or a sickle bar mower.

 

[RoyJackson]

The only way to mow ditches.

Yeah, if you have a large enough tractor and about $10K to $15K to buy one.

 

[Barely Smokin']

Hi

I read with some interest the two threads on down slope and and side slope ie rollover issues and meters to tell the angle.

I just purchased a 3720 with a cab in December and enjoyed the nice warm cab blowing snow.

My previous tractor was a 755 4wd that I had for 23 years. we recently moved and I had been mowing some slopes ie ditches in along the road with no real concern about rollover. I would sit on the high side of the seat and go back and forth.

Early this spring I took the 3720 for ride to see how it would do where I had mowed before and the slopes of the ditches seemed much steeper to me but I chalked it up to being a bit higher off the ground and a new tractor I was not familiar with and I could not sit on the high side so to speak in the cab. The 3720 has 5' wide track where the 755 had 4'.

After reading the two threads I went out today with a level that reads in degrees and discovered that a good portion of the slopes were 20- 23 degrees, some places 25 degrees. Based on what I am reading it seems that driving along this slope mowing is not a good idea. I looked at those rollover meters and they seem to imply 15 degrees is the limit and at 20 plus you are pushing your luck.

Am I interpreting this correct? I was just about to hook up a rear rotary mower and have at it. (BTW it has the 300cx FEL on it, no tire liquid, or tire weights)

Thanks for any input

Bob

I measured my steepest side slope today. 27.8 degrees. The rear of the tractor was slipping but it didn't feel too crazy. I wouldn't want to go much steeper.

Specs: 790 with both front and rears flipped, rears filled. R1 tires. FEL with bucket down. Frontier 5' 3PH finish mower. Mark Levin on the radio.

 

[dcyrilc]

Yeah, if you have a large enough tractor and about $10K to $15K to buy one.

I have a 68HP tractor (50HP PTO). My mower is reated for 35-50 HP tractors and I got it off CL for $3750. Just have to watch for the right deal to come along.:thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

I have a 68HP tractor (50HP PTO). My mower is reated for 35-50 HP tractors and I got it off CL for $3750. Just have to watch for the right deal to come along.:thumbsup:

Good for you!!! Nice deal!

 

[SPYDERLK]

Roy, you're probably right---leaving the FEL on does raise the CoG. [[On the flip side, if the FEL were a couple inches off the ground and you had a load of gravel in it, the CoG would probably be lower than stock.]]

I never take mine off when I'm mowing b/c I'm always using it to push branches out of the way, carry tools, clean up, etc., so I can't say I've noticed a difference either way....

I measured my steepest side slope today. 27.8 degrees. The rear of the tractor was slipping but it didn't feel too crazy. I wouldn't want to go much steeper.

Specs: 790 with both front and rears flipped, rears filled. R1 tires. FEL with bucket down. Frontier 5' 3PH finish mower. Mark Levin on the radio.

Weight in front of the front axle is counter productive on a sideslope because it subtracts weight from the rears which are your only source of stability. If possible take your bucket off. It will help. Im impressed at 28 degrees with a loader on. Its those wide set rears no doubt.
larry

 

[RoyJackson]

Im impressed at 28 degrees with a loader on. Its those wide set rears no doubt.
larry

So am I...28 degrees would make me very uncomfortable.

 

[dcyrilc]

So am I...28 degrees would make me very uncomfortable.

I saw a picture of a bulldozer with a 3PH once, I think that would be what I'ld want for a slope like that.:confused2:

 

[Barely Smokin']

I managed to stop and get a picture today of my max side slope. In this picture, it was 25 degrees, although this was basically the same spot that I measured 28 last week. One gopher hole can make all the difference! The next pass, higher up, is slightly steeper yet.

At this angle the rear slips sideways, with 4WD engaged. It's a bit of a rodeo pass but I've been doing it for 6-7 years now...and I know I can do it. Otherwise, it'd be scary as **** the first time. I wouldn't go steeper than this.

Flipped rear tires makes all the difference...