Mowing slopes with a tractor

[jcummins]

How much of a slope can a tractor do when mowing? The former owner of my place now, says he has mowed two pond dams we have by just "side hilling"....these are 25 deg and 30 deg slopes. His tractor is a JD 5410.

I won't side hill the 30 deg slope in my Gator....and my pucker makes me thinks he is right at the limit.

I'm debating my self with getting a tractor to take over some of this mowing, but I'd be going much smaller...something like a Kubota L3940, and would suspect I could mow with a brush hog by angling down the sides. Some wet area at the bottom so straight down and back with a tractor...don't think will work. I've also thought of getting an F series mower which I have in another thread...but kind of leaning to the tractor now.

 

[cdodson21]

As long as it sticks and picks up oil

 

[94BULLITT]

That is a tough question to answer. The other day I went across a spot on the BX and it was a little over 30*. The Grand L is a pretty stable tractor. The best advice I could give you would be to only do what you feel comfortable doing and use common sense.

 

[rekees4300]

The back of my pond dam is 30 degrees. I mow it with a tractor and brush hog but for me 30 degrees is the safe limit. I always mow with the front of the tractor pointed straight downhill. Never uphill or across. Don't know what "side hilling" means but if it means mowing across the slope then that would be extremely dangerous! I always use 4WD, low gear, ROPS and seatbelt. This is important: before you mow it the first time, walk over the entire area looking for stumps, logs, ruts, holes, etc. Hitting any sort of uneven obstruction can cause a rollover.

 

[DKCDKC]

Rekees4300 has it right. Know the area intimately. I've had my CUT on a moderate slop with no issue, they suddenly hit a rock/log with the upper wheel, or a groundhog hole or similar with the lower, and had wheels come off the ground. The secret is to know the area, and don't take chances. If ever in doubt, go really slowly so you will have a chance to stop and back out of the situation. Also keep your FEL and implements as low as possible. Keep aware of the center of gravity for your tractor. If it even approaches being above your downhill tire, stop and adopt a new strategy.

 

[shucksters]

Agreed with all the above....take your time and don't push it...there is always another way if your gut tells you it's not safe

 

[Danscaper]

whatever makes your afraid makes others like me smile. with that said, you could probably handle even deeper slopes but it sounds like your not used to it so you should stick with what makes you comfortable. nobody can tell you what to do or get and what can handle what. too many factors. you will just have to take baby steps

 

[MBTRAC]

If you need to maximise a tractors mowing ability on a slope, mow down the slope & reverse up the slope - if mowing across the slope makes you think twice IMO it's best not to do it, however you can incease a tractors stability by widening the wheel track &/or adding dual wheels.

 

[Ken45101]

People do get injured and killed every year mowing slopes. Do not assume that it is safe.

Good advice in the thread here.

 

[jcummins]

Don't know what "side hilling" means but if it means mowing across the slope then that would be extremely dangerous!

That is what I mean...and he's been mowing that way.

These are clean mowed slopes...no surprises. And the 30 degree slope...is only 30 in one spot for a short ways and probably 25 on the rest....but still. I won't drive my Gator across the slope, but he also mentioned he wouldn't drive his Kubota RTV cross ways either...but the tractor he's comfortable with it.

 

[jcummins]

Don't know what "side hilling" means but if it means mowing across the slope then that would be extremely dangerous!

That is what I mean...and he's been mowing that way.

These are clean mowed slopes...no surprises. And the 30 degree slope...is only 30 in one spot for a short ways and probably 25 on the rest....but still. I won't drive my Gator across the slope, but he also mentioned he wouldn't drive his Kubota RTV cross ways either...but the tractor he's comfortable with it.

 

[HeLa]

how big is the dam? would a sickle bar from the top and bottom help at all? http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/273591-rossi-5-foot-sickle-bx25.html

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I've already gave you lots of info concerning the F but you didn't mention a tractor.
On my hillside property I've owned/own several BXs, several Bs and one L3240. The L may be more stable than a B but my Butt muscle kept telling me it wasn't. Was scared to use the L on the hillside and traded it with around 50 to 75 hours on it.
For mowing on hillsides there is no comparison between a F mower and any Kubota tractor. Different league. Be like racing a Nash Rambler vs a MG through the mountains on curvy roads.
I've turned one tractor on it's side and was stopped when it happened. Been skittish ever since and never want to do it again. Hooked my truck to it and pulled it back upright in short order and no damage but the damage in my mind is still there every time I get on a tractor or F mower. It happens in fraction of a second. I've had several butt clinching moments before but I now have a new outlook on that slight bit of risk.:shocked:

 

[RaydaKub]

Rekees4300 has it right. Know the area intimately. I've had my CUT on a moderate slop with no issue, they suddenly hit a rock/log with the upper wheel, or a groundhog hole or similar with the lower, and had wheels come off the ground. The secret is to know the area, and don't take chances. If ever in doubt, go really slowly so you will have a chance to stop and back out of the situation. Also keep your FEL and implements as low as possible. Keep aware of the center of gravity for your tractor. If it even approaches being above your downhill tire, stop and adopt a new strategy.

Agreed 95%. If you want stability, leave the FEL in the garage.

 

[TripleR]

Always an interesting topic with lots of opinions, I have been mowing slopes for over thirty years and still get nervous even on the slopes I mow often. Here are just a few past threads you might find helpful:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/safety/242289-safe-mowing-slopes.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/222339-need-advice-mowing-slope.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/206529-mowing-roadside-ditch.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/199464-slopes-tractor-tilt.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/104751-maximum-hillside-mowing.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/84663-driving-side-slopes.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/55945-operating-slopes-pucker-factor.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/45471-mowing-slopes.html

 

[joshuabardwell]

How much of a slope can a tractor do when mowing?

Depends entirely on the tractor. The width between the wheels is a major factor, as well as the ballasting. Ag (R1) wheels can be set wider or narrower depending on your needs. Spacers can be added to the wheels to further increase side-slope safety.

 

[bellweather]

Lot's of sound advice provided by others. 30 degrees seems pretty steep to me. There are a lot of factors to consider, tractor, ground conditions, speed, your reaction time, etc., so no rule of thumb to follow. Be safe.

 

[flusher]

How much of a slope can a tractor do when mowing? The former owner of my place now, says he has mowed two pond dams we have by just "side hilling"....these are 25 deg and 30 deg slopes. His tractor is a JD 5410.

I won't side hill the 30 deg slope in my Gator....and my pucker makes me thinks he is right at the limit.

I'm debating my self with getting a tractor to take over some of this mowing, but I'd be going much smaller...something like a Kubota L3940, and would suspect I could mow with a brush hog by angling down the sides. Some wet area at the bottom so straight down and back with a tractor...don't think will work. I've also thought of getting an F series mower which I have in another thread...but kind of leaning to the tractor now.

You need a tractor with a wide stance and low center of gravity. The only way I know to get these features is to use the widest tires you can find with the smallest diameter rims. Here's what my 1964 MF135 diesel has.




The rear tires are BF Goodrich 6 ply 18.4-16A size (18" wide, 16" dia rim, 40" tall overall). The centerline of the rear axle is 20" above grade level. The front axle spindles have been shortened to keep the tractor level. This 135 is a field tractor that the previous owner modifed to squat low for work in his olive orchard (discing, mowing, towing a sprayer rig). It would be difficult to roll this tractor on the slopes you're facing.

That said, if you have the slightest doubt about safety, don't get on those hills with your tractor.

Good luck and stay safe.

 

[samhudson3]

No one expects to get killed when they start their tractor chores, but it happens. I pat my "Safety - Live With It" sticker before I turn the key as a reminder. Good advice on this thread...

 

[jcummins]

how big is the dam? would a sickle bar from the top and bottom help at all? http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/273591-rossi-5-foot-sickle-bx25.html

IF...I end up getting a tractor using a sickle bar to cut around the pond is exactly my intent.