Pucker factor to the 10th degree !

[missourithunder]

Talk about an eventful morning. I know it's hard to tell by the photos but if you look close you can see two skid marks going down the "lawn" on the west side of the house. I nearly had a roll over while mowing this morning.

The grass is still filling in so there's still a lot of top soil showing which was a bit damp from the rain last night (1st mistake; steep hill + wet grass = a bad situation when mowing). Like always, I cut the front yard first and then make my usual first pass going down the slope (2nd mistake, failed to ensure I was in low range and in 4WD).

Everything was fine until I hit the brake to slow down a little and I literally slid down the hill. Knowing that at the end of the hill is a 10ft drop off, I had two choices; keep it straight and pray I stop in time or turn to the left slightly, hoping to kind of power-slide to a stop. I figured (quite quickly) it was better to lay it down on it's side then to drive off the cliff. The power-slide worked but I swear I was on 2-wheels.

I think the only thing that saved me was the fact that the RFM was all the down. By the way, the loader was barely off the ground so that had nothing to do with it. What's incredible is I had just read the "Almost rolled over" and "layed down bx24" threads last night.

Lessons learned -
1. Never, ever mow steep hills when ground is wet
2. Complacency kills, keep it in low range and 4WD at all times
3. Always have someone within ear shot. The wife and kids were sleeping
4. Situational awareness is a must.

Have a safe weekend gents.
MT

 

[The Haymaker]

Pick up mower and drop bucket. You're lucky you didn't roll it.

But, that said, "lucky learning experience" to be had and won't make the mistake again. Been there, done that!

 

[bp fick]

MT, I, for one, am very grateful you are OK. That the 'lil beast is also OK is a bonus. Yeah, drop bucket. Hard to remember when you're praying "and at the hour of our death". Sincerely glad you are alright.

 

[dcyrilc]

MT, I, for one, am very grateful you are OK. That the 'lil beast is also OK is a bonus. Yeah, drop bucket. Hard to remember when you're praying "and at the hour of our death". Sincerely glad you are alright.

+1... The first thought I had was what a great break that tooth bar would make. Better to repair the lawn than your body.

 

[radioman]

glad you ok. Thats another reason why the rears needs to be filled. It won't cure the pucker factor, but gives you a little extra traction and lower COG.

 

[sweettractors]

You were sure lucky or the man upstairs was not ready for you just yet. I am sure glad you didn't roll over that Nice "First Choice" Finish Mower Ha Ha. Ken Sweet

 

[missourithunder]

Haymaker,
I understand your opinion about taking off the bucket but what do you mean by "pick up mower?"

dcyrilc,
I never thought about using the toothbar/loader as a break. I think it would actually work. Thanks.

bp,
Long time no hear ole friend and thanks for the feedback. I just don't get how complacent I got. When I finish mowing or complete a project I ride to the gas station to refuel and hit the car wash and when I came back I forgot to put it back into low range and 4WD. By the way, did you ever find a rear blade for your little beast ?

MT

 

[J_J]

Years ago, I did something similar, mowing on wet grass with a zero turn mower. Did not turn out as good as yours. I slid all the way down in full reverse, and when the mower went over the edge of a 5 ft wall, I dove off the mower, I hit hard, and the mower fell on top of me, splitting a muscle in my leg. The mower was still running until I shut it off. Hurt like **** for about 4 weeks, and hurt my pride, as I had been cutting that hill for years. I learned to always around turn going uphill. Turning downhill is what started the slide.

 

[missourithunder]

sweettractors,
I couldn't agree with you more.

Greetings radioman,
That was the second time I've had a case of serious pucker factor since moving onto the new property. Couple of months back I was testing the waters and seeing how close I could mow to the retaining wall (behind the bush in the 2nd photo. It's a 6ft drop. While mowing backwards towards the retaining wall, the rear wheels of the RFM jumped up on top of the wall causing a slight lurch going backwards. Scared the baheebe geebees out of me. Wife didn't like that so she spent $300 on bushes and shrubs and planted them in the dangerous spots to keep me safe while mowing. She's a good woman

MT

 

[sweettractors]

Years ago, I did something similar, mowing on wet grass with a zero turn mower. Did not turn out as good as yours. I slid all the way down in full reverse, and when the mower went over the edge of a 5 ft wall, I dove off the mower, I hit hard, and the mower fell on top of me, splitting a muscle in my leg. The mower was still running until I shut it off. Hurt like **** for about 4 weeks, and hurt my pride, as I had been cutting that hill for years. I learned to always around turn going uphill. Turning downhill is what started the slide.

We sell the New Dixon ZTR's and I can tell you from experience and near misses, that downhill mowing while turning on wet grass is a No No. Glad you are fully recovered. Ken Sweet

 

[TripleR]

Glad you escaped without injury to you or your tractor.

Several years ago I was bringing my Ford NAA back down out of the woods and decided I didn't want to avoid all of the hills by driving the long way around or going down the steep hill behind my house; been there done that. I took a "short cut" through a path I had cut with my 4WD MF 375 and bush hog

I took it out to our flat land farm and bought my first 4WD Kubota. Of course as you now know, you actually have to put it in 4WD

 

[dex3361]

MT Glad you made it through the rush ride. When going down hill raise the rear mower a bit to put the weight on the rear wheels(tractor will not steer well with diff lock engaged though). I also hit the rear diff lock to make sure that I get the optimum hold back if 1 rear wheel breaks loose you will go for a ride.

 

[orezok]

A number of years back I was one one of the tracts we were building and a contractor was track walking the slope behind a unit. The slope went up about 20 to 25 feet to the next lot at a 2:1 slope. He was using a 450 or D6 and just as he got to the top of the slope, the engine quit.

Rolled backward down the slope and right through the wall of the house. Luckily he was not hurt and the house was not sold so no consequential damages.

I think he dropped the blade, but it doesn't do much good backward.

 

[missourithunder]

orezok,
The more I think about it, dropping the blade going backwards or forwards would help you stop quickly. I just wish I would have done that. All I was thinking about was which way way to turn the wheel. And slamming harder and harder on the brake made it worse (same principal as with driving your car on icy roads, tap the brakes not hold it down). I could have easily reached for the loader joystick and dropped the loader pronto.

dex3361,
You also just gave me an idea. I could use the NASCAR approach and just go counter clockwise around the house. I've discovered it's a lot more comfortable (we're talking pucker factor here) mowing uphill than it is downhill. The other side yard is much more mild so going downhill on that side would be easy.

TripleR,
You are correct about 4WD. I'm not an engineer but for some reason when it's in 4WD it automatically slows the tractor down (or pick up truck for that matter). Thanks.

MT

 

[om21braz]

At least no harm done, except maybe your shorts. Not many times you get a lesson like that without some damage. Hope you find a better method, and thanks for the heads up - it will help keep me on my toes.

 

[bp fick]

MT, yes sir, I did indeed get a back blade. For a steal!!! Got a CountyLine, and had a coupon, sale, etc, got it for a song. It is no front hydraulic controlled blade, but that's OK.

Listen, my old friend. Never again. Raise your right hand and swear to me and to all that is precious to you, that you will never take that unit out on to your property without 4x4 and Turtle engaged.:laughing::laughing:

That property is way too hilly to ever effectively use High range.

Then, put a note on your sweater that tells you to remember to dis-engage the 4x4 to run to the fuel station. Or, buy a can, but I think you like road trips.

 

[bp fick]

Oh, and your MMM lift bars are still hanging down. Man, raise them up and lock 'em.

 

[missourithunder]

bp,
Finally worked up the courage to get back on the seat and put the beast back in its cage about 30 minutes ago. And yes sir, I promise to take the NASCAR approach of mowing counter clockwise around the house except I'll do it in low range and in 4WD. Promise. Today's incident really did scare me. And you're right about the road trips. I have way to much fun riding the one mile into town to the bp station for a refuel and car wash (you're just as **** retentive to your tractor's cleanliness as I am to mine so shut up) (-:

You're right about the hilly sides. Wish I had your flat land. Nice to see you got a rear blade for snow . I envy the flatter, sharper, sleeker look of your new blade. Wanna trade ? lol. The photos of your little beast are great. The loader rocks my friend. I know you're gonna enjoy it.

om21braz,
You're right about the shorts. My problem has always been doing everything fast. I'm hard headed but I'm slowly learning that low & slow is the key to success.

MT

 

[dcyrilc]

dcyrilc,
I never thought about using the toothbar/loader as a break. I think it would actually work. Thanks.

MT

If you have an appropriate area (not landscaped) you can play by tipping the bucket down at about a 5-10 degree angle and lower the bucket as you drive forward. The bucket should begin grabbing dirt and creating resistance to your forward motion. It wiil give you an idea what would happen if you did this in a slide situation on a hill.

 

[Runner]

MO Thunder,

I think "pick up the mower" means that by raising the rear mower, you are putting more weight on the rear tires, thereby increasing the traction. I've used that technique before when I was slipping and needing traction to keep moving, but never while sliding downhill. However, it's still a good idea if you have the reflexes and state of mind to do it.

Glad it turned out OK.