4X4 downhill traction issue

[SPYDERLK]

Not without building a weightbox,and I don't have any wheel weights for this tractor.I've tried adding weight previously on a rear drive tractor with aggressive tires and it made very little difference.With a hill this steep you really need traction on both axles on the downhill run.One thing I didn't mention is that I'm only carrying a 115lb 44" deck from an old Broadmoor.I may put the 54" deck on it and see how it does pulling it uphill.Downhill I'm sure will be worse as it weighs 192lbs.

The heavy mower should actually help a little because its weight is below CG and thereby shifts a larger proportion of weight to the rears when going down forward. ... Is there a less steep area you can drive down ok? You could drive down it and mow up the steep areas. Failing that; back down, and mow up.
larry

 

[locknut]

The heavy mower should actually help a little because its weight is below CG and thereby shifts a larger proportion of weight to the rears when going down forward. ... Is there a less steep area you can drive down ok? You could drive down it and mow up the steep areas. Failing that; back down, and mow up.
larry

On a suspended deck that would be true.These decks are hitched to the front axles and dragged around on the rear full-width rollers which adjust for the cutting height.Probably the best design out there to follow the ground contours.

 

[KubotainNH]

Yea,there's only one wheel trying to hold the thing back when it starts skidding.I guess I could design some brakes for the front wheels.That would for sure fix it. :thumbsup:

:thumbsup: This is one thing about 4 wheelers, all the wheels have brakes. Huge difference. for the price of some of these things you'd think they'd have better brakes. Hopefully you figure something out.

 

[94BULLITT]

Did you buy the machine new or used?

 

[locknut]

Bought it used with just under 100hrs on it.A new one set up w/54" deck is over 9K w/tax.My thought was to free up the GR from mowing duties,leave some of the cab frame on it over the summer months(takes two days to build it up from scratch),and use it for loader work,tilling,boxblading,etc.I had no idea how the 4WD system actually worked on this tractor as reviews are non existent.What I might do is modify the hitch on the Kubota straight blade and adapt it to this tractor and move it on.I no longer use it with the V-plow setup and it has power lift and angle.It's already orange,just swap out the decals.....

 

[csr0831]

Thats too bad locknut...was hoping the new tires would give you enough "bite" to slow down, but if wheel is basicly freewheeling, no amount of "bite" is gonna help. With your fabrication skills I am quite sure you could design some brakes for the front wheels, then you could move forward and use each machine as you planned.....I suspect it ,might be a pretty major project though. I do agree.....if you didn't have slopes in excess of 10% you wouldn't need 4WD in the first place.......I feel a long letter comeing for marketing and R&D (not that it would help).........

 

[hawkeye08]

Might be time to terrace the hill or change from grass to minimum upkeep type landscaping...

 

[KubotainNH]

I'm sure you could make something like this work for you. You got those rear wheels spread out quickly.

Honda ATV Rubicon Disc Brake Converson Kit New | eBay

 

[jenkinsph]

Tested my x749 today and the front axle does not freewheel

 

[locknut]

Tried another test last nite.Put a big floor jack under the back and drove across the shop floor at work.The front axle does have some holding power,but apparently not enough.Working on some ideas for front brakes.Bought some cheap mechanical calipers off ebay.We'll see where this goes.