Going downhill with a Kubota L4400 HST Video

[dex3361]

I have a similar hill to go up and down - my driveway. Fortunately I don't have to do it that often, but I did this last weekend.

I was pulling a trailer loaded with logs on my previous trips, along with the forks loaded up. The last trip of the day I just had the forks loaded up, and since it was the last trip of the day, it was a bit overloaded. I couldn't even curl the bucket completely...

I was going along just fine, until I tried to stop in the normal way (let off the HST and hit the brakes). I just kept going, except that the back started moving a little sideways.

I glanced down, and both back tires were off the ground, just barely. Fortunately, I had it in 4WD and the bucket close to the ground. I used the HSD to stop after that point.

The neighbor's house is next door, but the road to get there is about 1.5 miles. The last 1/4 mile is my driveway, and that is uphill. Had to put the tractor in 1st to get up the hill, and it was getting pretty warm at the top! I guess that's what I get for having a 72% grade on my driveway. (Yeah, it's steep).

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You have a beautiful place. Your driveway makes me think I could feel right at home there. That is really steep for a driveway. How did you measure the grade? I know a video does not do it justice. The hills always seem less steep in a photo or video or at least it seems that way to me. I look at the angle of the trees off to the side and that gives away how steep it really is.

 

[dex3361]

Thought I would post a few pics of the mountains where I worked this week in Southern WV.

 

[k0ua]

That WV is a pretty place isn't it? Pretty pix Thanks for posting

James K0UA

 

[Code54]

Looks nice down there - where is that at?
As for hills - sound like my yard. I had to "dig out" an area just to put a 6'x8' potting shed in for my wife. I swear we don't have 2 sq feet that is flat on our property. Funny you just sort of get used to always watching angles and seeing sky as you go up a hill in the woods

 

[dex3361]

That WV is a pretty place isn't it? Pretty pix Thanks for posting

James K0UA

Your welcome. I like it here.

 

[dex3361]

Looks nice down there - where is that at?
As for hills - sound like my yard. I had to "dig out" an area just to put a 6'x8' potting shed in for my wife. I swear we don't have 2 sq feet that is flat on our property. Funny you just sort of get used to always watching angles and seeing sky as you go up a hill in the woods

That is Bluestone Lake near Hinton, WV. I have very little flat, well at least I call it flat, its about as flat as it gets in WV.

 

[BigE_]

You have a beautiful place. Your driveway makes me think I could feel right at home there. That is really steep for a driveway. How did you measure the grade? I know a video does not do it justice. The hills always seem less steep in a photo or video or at least it seems that way to me. I look at the angle of the trees off to the side and that gives away how steep it really is.

Thanks! We love it here. I do get annoyed at times that there isn't a single flat piece of land on the place, other than the house and shop. I have to level everything out anytime I want to put in an outbuilding or even park a trailer.

I measured the grade with a simple inclinometer, which read about 35 degrees. Obviously it wasn't 35 degrees in all areas, but that's the average on the steeper areas. Towards the bottom of the hill might be steeper - feels like it, but I've never measured that point.

 

[dex3361]

Here is a smaller load that I went after today.

 

[Rhinorider]

Randall, here it a thought for you. I am up in Clarksburg, what do you think about starting a business teaching the flat landers how to work on hills here in West "By God" Virginia. OR at least grow a set :laughing::laughing::laughing::confused2::thumbsup:

 

[dex3361]

Randall, here it a thought for you. I am up in Clarksburg, what do you think about starting a business teaching the flat landers how to work on hills here in West "By God" Virginia. OR at least grow a set :laughing::laughing::laughing::confused2::thumbsup:

Sounds like a great way to get more seat time. That would be a great way to make a living.:thumbsup: