Mowing How to mow a slope with a tractor?

[Buxus]

I have M7060 with a 6 foot rotary mower. Wheels are set wide on the tractor with spacers. The rear wheels are filled, and I always have the bucket or forks on the front. I have fairly hilly land for the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and have tackled all but one area with no problems. I never mow across, always up and down.

The one area I have not yet tackled is the steepest part. Not sure of the grade, but I can't go across it with either a zero turn or a lawn tractor. It's a relatively small area, perhaps 135 feet across, and 70 feet top to bottom (the distance, not the height). At the top is an outdoor pavilion with about 25 feet of flat grass between it and the slope. At the bottom is just more field. (no river to slide into )

I believe proper technique is to climb hills going forward. I believe 4 wheel drive is best (may not get up the slope without it).

Should I back down them, mower first when mowing downhill?

Any tips or things to watch out for would be much appreciated.

 

[hawkeye08]

I mow going up forward and going down forward. I have a narrow ledge at the top that is not flat (slopes to the hill). I run in 4WD with bucket curled and low (ready to drop if needed).. if I run in 2WD, I get both slippage going up the hill, but also sliding going down. With 4WD, it does not slip going up or down. There is a section at one end that has no ledge for perhaps 50' wide. I back up mowing and then angle over and mow going down. It is too steep to even think about going across hill.

 

[Shaneard]

I would advise against going down if it's that steep. I did that once and will not do it again. I also lost a dear friend after he rolled his tractor over mowing a hill. Ask yourself, is it really worth it?

 

[Buxus]

I would advise going down if it's that steep. I did that once and will not do it again. I also lost a dear friend after he rolled his tractor over mowing a hill. Ask yourself, is it really worth it?

Not sure what you mean. You advise only mowing down? I am more likely to roll tractor going up? Should I mow forward or backward going down?
Thanks?

 

[RjCorazza]

I have a slightly shorter bank, about 120' long x 40' up the slope. When I tried mowing with my tractor, I felt most comfortable going up the slope only (cut up slope, drive around, cut up again....) My zero turn is pretty much the same, although it will slide if I try cutting down the slope.
I exclusively cut this bank now with a commercial walk behind hydro - much less stressful. Even with that, 2 years ago I rolled the walk behind over when a perfect storm of factors came together.

 

[DianneInVA]

Slopes really scare me: both on the z-turn and Kubota B2620. I traded the tractor belly mower for a land pride brush cutter: it is much more stable. Even so, this year on that one spot, where I slid last year: I am using portable electric netting, solar charger, and two Katahdin sheep. Easy to move, no shearing, and ...they are kind of fun.

 

[Shaneard]

Not sure what you mean. You advise only mowing down? I am more likely to roll tractor going up? Should I mow forward or backward going down?
Thanks?

Sorry. I missed the "against". I would not go down if it's that steep. My friend was actually going up when he lost traction and flipped down the hill.

 

[Oldoak]

I mow going up forward and going down forward. I have a narrow ledge at the top that is not flat (slopes to the hill). I run in 4WD with bucket curled and low (ready to drop if needed).. if I run in 2WD, I get both slippage going up the hill, but also sliding going down. With 4WD, it does not slip going up or down. There is a section at one end that has no ledge for perhaps 50' wide. I back up mowing and then angle over and mow going down. It is too steep to even think about going across hill.

I do the same. Always in 4WD. Also the weight and leverage of a FEL helps to keep the front end planted on the ground preventing a backwards flip over while going up a steep grade.

When I had a only 2WD tractor, I would much rather loose traction going up the hill than coming down. Once you loose traction coming down a hill and the wheels break free, you loose all control of the tractor and the outcome is a crap shoot. I know from experience. I almost crapped in my pants! :shocked:

 

[ericm979]

I'm not sure I'd mow something so steep that I had to go up backwards with the FEL low, or couldn't mow both forward and reverse. So far I've been pleased with the slopes that the Branson can mow and haul the chipper on.

The only spec I have found for operation on a slope was from MF who said 20 percent slope in any direction.

 

[Texasmark]

I have a separate mower for pond banks (primary function but use for other things too) between 20 and 30 degrees which is about a ⅓ slope (1 ft up for 3' out). I use a 20 hp 46" Husqvarna conventional big box store mower ( light weight which is what you want) with ATV low pressure studded snow tires and mow along the bank, not up and down, for 2 reasons: It's easier and there are woods at the bottom of the slope and no room to turn around or if you were to start sliding, no place to go but into the trees.

I have studs on both front and rear as on the front it helps to steer uphill when needed without slipping, wet or dry. I sit on the uphill edge of the seat pretty much putting my weight directly above the uphill rear tire and it allows me to sit upright, not pressured against the low side of the seat. Works really well and after 35+ years trying to come up with a tractor solution, this is the answer. Your small area would fit right in and you would be amazed at just how fast and easy you can complete the job.