Steepest grade you have made it up?

[Teachu2]

So when going down, the safest would be straight forward?

Yes, and with the FEL lowered.

 

[LD1]

My research here led me to believe that weight matters more than just about any other factor - the more a tractor weighs, the better it will perform as far as limiting wheel spin, which is especially problematic on grades.

Not always true. Sometimes wight can help, sometimes it can hurt. The more weight you add, sure, you are adding more weight for traction, but at the same proportions you are adding more weight you need to carry vertically

 

[Sysop]

Placement of the weight matters most. You wouldn't want to mount a 1000# set of suitcase weights to the ROPS... :laughing:

 

[oosik]

I have a couple slopes on my property that are exceedingly steep. I don't worry about going up or down - forward or backward. I just stay the H**L away from them and completely avoid the pucker factor. It just isn't worth it.

 

[Teachu2]

Not always true. Sometimes wight can help, sometimes it can hurt. The more weight you add, sure, you are adding more weight for traction, but at the same proportions you are adding more weight you need to carry vertically

Agreed, but most tractors are limited in what they can climb by traction. Slippage will bury you quickly. Properly added weight will reduce slippage, allowing the operator to effectively use available power. Of course, adding weight incorrectly can introduce problems - that is why we ballast the tires, add wheel weights, and place suitcase weights where they will have the desired effect.

 

[vtsnowedin]

Man made slopes are one thing and natural uneven ground is another. On the man made slope if you can do the bottom twenty feet you can go all the way to the top and back down but out in the woods the grades keep changing and sometimes straight up leads you to a cliff face and straight down puts you in a swamp. You have to pick and poke at it and find your way to your goal that doesn't exceed the capabilities of your tractor. Having a tractor that is well ballasted and has four wheel drive gives you more capability and more possible routes through the woods but some ground just needs to be left alone as a tree sanctuary.

 

[Billrog]

I have skid trails all over the steep mt. side and this spring went to check out some downed trees where no trail existed some of the trails are very steep. Avoid them when it's wet.


Here you can see the skid trail below me near the top of the pic. I've been logging these hills for over 20 yrs. now just don't get careless because there may not be a sec. chance.

 

[mike69440]

Wheel Spacers/ Weights will help

 

[bcp]

Wheel Spacers/ Weights will help

And if the wheel spacers are really wide, you can't fit between the trees, which will keep you from sliding down the hill.





Bruce

 

[Streetcar]

Welcome to tbn from the next county to your west.
As other have said working on slope is about experience. One wrong move can kill you
There are many steep slopes in your area I would not drive tractor on