Traction Using a Tractor on Mountain Property

[vtsnowedin]

A SCUT can be more of a roll over hazard then a lawn tractor because some of them are quite narrow and have no provision for adjusting the tread width and even discourage the use of spacers. You would need to compare the two machines as set up to get a firm answer.


A loader can actually be an asset when climbing hills if it is held low while moving. the weight out front holds the front wheels down when climbing up a steep grade. Just don't put a full bucket way up in the air and make a sharp turn on a slope.

 

[Sysop]

Knowing the wheelbase (width and length) and the weight of the machine you are testing would give you a general idea of how similar machines would handle. If the tires are loaded with liquid also makes a huge difference in the feel of the machine...

 

[vtsnowedin]

Here is a useful publication you should read before you make a decision on what tractor to buy.
http://agsafety.tamu.edu/files/2011/06/SAFE-TRACTOR-OPERATION-ROLLOVER1.pdf

 

[prs]

Ventrac, Steiner, Power Track are made for our kind of land. But, I have previously done my work with a Gravely and a John Deere 650. The 650 is no longer made and there has been no replacement that is as capable on steep land given the belly mower and ballasted big fiat Pillow-Dia tires.

I recently purchased a Ventrac with duals and the 7' contour mower. I does well, the mower is a bit on the heavy side and if you are mostly wooded, get one of the more traditional type mowers. I have been on 30+ degree slopes the Ventrac is stable, but can slide due to wet spring ground. Watch the videos and check out the Ventrac site here on TBN.

Now, if you find your amount of mowing work is less than what a Ventrac justifies, sub compact utility tractors with belly mowers are pretty capable too; such as the BX type from Kubota.

prs

 

[budepps3760]

beautiful land

 

[nc redneck]

Ventrac, Steiner, Power Track are made for our kind of land. But, I have previously done my work with a Gravely and a John Deere 650. The 650 is no longer made and there has been no replacement that is as capable on steep land given the belly mower and ballasted big fiat Pillow-Dia tires.

I recently purchased a Ventrac with duals and the 7' contour mower. I does well, the mower is a bit on the heavy side and if you are mostly wooded, get one of the more traditional type mowers. I have been on 30+ degree slopes the Ventrac is stable, but can slide due to wet spring ground. Watch the videos and check out the Ventrac site here on TBN.

Now, if you find your amount of mowing work is less than what a Ventrac justifies, sub compact utility tractors with belly mowers are pretty capable too; such as the BX type from Kubota.

prs

A BX would be worth looking at if it will do what you want. One with loader removed and weighed tires is very stable on hills. 4 wheel drive will it mow places a 0 turn can not go. Not sure I would want to cross steep slopes with loader and backhoe on it. It is light with just mower and will not leave any ruts even when wet.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Ventrac is impressive mowing on hills, no BH. Power Track can also dig (BH). I see both are more expensive than a SCUT. Was looking at Mahindra Max 22-25, maybe EMax, as they seemed to have a wider/longer stance plus more weight than say the Kubota = more stability at least in theory.

To give ya'll better idea of what I need to do:

Level & maintain a 300-yd-long gravel drive on a 10% slope--after every big rain.
Crown, ditch, and either plant or gravel, not to mention maintain, a new 300-yd-long new road that snakes down the mountain to the 2 new ponds (grade 15-25%)
Clear branches, leaves, debris and maintain series of paths/trails around the ponds (grade pretty flat once you're down there)
Create new paths/trails for better access all over property, including smoothing out grades, removing lots of deadwood, big rocks, etc.
Still finishing up smoothing out the big mess left by the machinery for the new ponds; major removal of gouges, piles of dirt, and boulders and big roots that were exposed by the digging, and fine grading for better drainage, not to mention finish getting quick grass planted to avoid erosion.
Remove the huge piles of rocks/gravel created when we dug out the springs to create the creek running to the new ponds.
Buck and drag at least a dozen remaining trees we pulled out. Big ones.
Clear out and move tons and tons of deadwood down in the other two ravines.
Create a navigable trail though same.
Improve/maintain the dams at the head of the ravines to control storm runoff.
Level and work a much larger garden.
Oh, and mowing, which is the least of our problems. Don't really have to bush-hog as all property is now either mowed or woods.

 

[blucoondawg]

I would go with a tractor over that ventrac. If you are going with a sub compact I would go as large as you can, personally I would go with a compact instead as a heavier machine will probably make life easier with some of these tasks. The slopes you are describing are not super steep, as long as care is taken to not drive sideways on a hill with a load held high I wouldn't worry about it, I operate equipment for a living and we commonly have to get on hillsides steeper than this with a rubber tire backhoe which is very top heavy, they can handle a surprising amount of slope but care must be taken because a wrong move can make a huge difference

 

[vtsnowedin]

Sounds like you have a great project in front of you. I'd be using some of those rocks you need to move to armor the bottom of your road side ditches so they stop washing out. First priority though is to get some rye growing on all the disturbed soil to stop erosion until you can get to it. You should do that before you go tractor shopping, don't worry about prepping the soil just sow some seed by hand or with one of those shoulder bag spinners. A couple of spring rains and it will come up.

 

[cartod]

Just buy a tractor and get to know it. I really like the old ones better for there look and low stance If you want to run in those steep ravines you speak of get a horse. :laughing: I'm here in WV and have the same topography. 4wd and common sense will keep you alive.

You can get the 4wd's stuck too! Easily.