I was thinking about this more last night. I agree add weight to the tire 1st. If that does not work out then more aggressive tire. I am not a big fan of wheel weights on a machine this size. They stick way out past the tire and they are in the way and look horrible.
4X4 downhill traction issue
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I was thinking about this more last night. I agree add weight to the tire 1st. If that does not work out then more aggressive tire. I am not a big fan of wheel weights on a machine this size. They stick way out past the tire and they are in the way and look horrible.
nspec
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Growing up we had a very similar Ford hydro that I used on a very steep hill. What you need to do is mow straight up the hill and back down. If you absolutely need to drive forward down a steep hill, the way to do it is to select lowest possible range, and keep your foot all the way down on the forward directional pedal. Let the hydro try to drive you down. I found that if you let up even a little bit, the differential would cause one side to spin backwards and just like you - weee! - away we go. Sounds weird, but it worked for me for 15 years.
jenkinsph
Super Star Member
Best I can determine this Simplicity has a version of the K66 tranny and seems to work climbing the hill okay. I don't know if adding more weight to it is a good idea as it puts more stress in everything. I am curious if the front wheel drive is holding back the mower when going down the hill, that is something I would check first. Put it on stands, depress the forward pedal slightly and see if you can turn the front wheels faster by hand. You could contact Tuff Torq for some answers too.
On the K92 series the front wheels will help slow the tractor down much like mfwd, don't know about the k661? in the Simplicity.
I would add weight to the wheels only if I thought I needed to lower the center of gravity for stability reasons. Any weight you add to the tractor puts more strain on the driveline components. With just a mmm I don't see the need for extra weight to slow down the tractor when going down the hill. I am no mathematical whiz but it would seem that going up hill the weight is on the larger rear wheels while going downhill obviously more is on the front wheels. The small turf tires on the front are having a hard time slowing the machine down. That is why I think better tires may solve this problem but only if the front wheel drive is working correctly.
On the K92 series the front wheels will help slow the tractor down much like mfwd, don't know about the k661? in the Simplicity.
I would add weight to the wheels only if I thought I needed to lower the center of gravity for stability reasons. Any weight you add to the tractor puts more strain on the driveline components. With just a mmm I don't see the need for extra weight to slow down the tractor when going down the hill. I am no mathematical whiz but it would seem that going up hill the weight is on the larger rear wheels while going downhill obviously more is on the front wheels. The small turf tires on the front are having a hard time slowing the machine down. That is why I think better tires may solve this problem but only if the front wheel drive is working correctly.
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locknut
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Well,I may be wrong but I think I need tires with deep,wider spaced lugs that will reach below the grass to grip the underlying soil to get the needed traction.Tires are coming and should have them on by next Wednesday.I don't like bolt on wheel weights either,but I do use barbell weights on a smooth rod on the GR with the heavy cab installed to counter the top heaviness.Installed loosely,they ride along much like fluid in the tires with no rotational inertia.
Tires will hopefully fix it. I just thought that weight may be a cheaper alternative.
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locknut
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Yes,it's a K664 and near as I can tell it's working properly.If it had no holding power on the downhill the tractor would immediately start sliding after launch.I've tried rear drive machines on this hill in the past.Tire type or weight makes little difference.I'm no whiz either,but I think the solution is to keep the front tires from losing traction.So,We'll see.
Update; Finished up the front brackets with a clevis so I have a better way to tie it down on the trailer.Also handy for working underneath or raising to roll the heavy deck out the front,instead of removing the front hitch and dragging it out the side.
A pic of the backside of the front drive.I notice there is a short link above the tie rod that moves a shaft inside.While in the air I can turn one wheel with no affect on the other,doesn't try to turn backwards like a normal open carrier.Can also grab both wheels and turn them forward,meaning loss of engine power and the front axle goes along for the ride.
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k0ua
Epic Contributor
Sure will be interesting to see if the new tires fix the problem in themselves.. maybe we will all learn something.
Yes it will.
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locknut
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Not everbody has the luxury of owning a "TANK" :laughing:
Miss the tight turning radius yet? That Bx sure looks sweet!