Mowing How to mow a slope with a tractor?

[N2DFire]

We have a couple places that are too steep to mow across but luckily for me they are fairly short runs and the bottom side on both just rolls out into more field (either flat or slightly upward sloping) so I do similar to what RjCorazza said (except I go top to bottom). I go up the less steep edge then mow a strip down and circle around again till done.

In my case I'm not going down hill long enough that I'm concerned with overspeed / runaway and I have plenty of safe roll out area if I do.

Also I don't mow those areas if it's the slightest bit wet / soft so as to maximize traction (and if it matters we only use Ag tires not Industrial)

Bottom line is make sure you are comfortable with what method you choose and as Shaneard said - in the end ask yourself if mowing that section is really worth getting hurt or killed over.
Sometimes a good pair of boots and a weed eater really isn't so bad

 

[N80]

This will be no help to the OP but on my property there is a large dam on a 10-12 acre watershed. The county keeps the dam mowed. At the base of the dam it is so steep that I've attempted to drive up it in my tractor (4wd) and lost traction and my nerve.

Well, I'd never seen them actually mow the dam. I assumed it was with a dual wheeled tractor with counterweights and maybe a boom mower.

Nope.

A year or so ago I saw it being mowed. Basic 60-80 pound JD 2wd tractor with a 3 point rotary cutter with no tail wheel. Wheels did not look to be spaced all the wide. No dual wheels. It did have front and rear rollbars and a canopy top. It was not new. It was operated by a young man and he was mowing it crossways and he was going fast. He had to sit sideways in the seat with one leg braced on the front roll bar to stay in his seat. At least twice I saw the rear of the tractor give way and slide a little sideways down the slope and I heard him yell out but he kept going faster than I would have thought possible. I thought I was going to see him roll into the lake and die. But he didn't.

I still cannot believe it.

 

[Rmart30]

This will be no help to the OP but on my property there is a large dam on a 10-12 acre watershed. The county keeps the dam mowed. At the base of the dam it is so steep that I've attempted to drive up it in my tractor (4wd) and lost traction and my nerve.

Well, I'd never seen them actually mow the dam. I assumed it was with a dual wheeled tractor with counterweights and maybe a boom mower.

Nope.

A year or so ago I saw it being mowed. Basic 60-80 pound JD 2wd tractor with a 3 point rotary cutter with no tail wheel. Wheels did not look to be spaced all the wide. No dual wheels. It did have front and rear rollbars and a canopy top. It was not new. It was operated by a young man and he was mowing it crossways and he was going fast. He had to sit sideways in the seat with one leg braced on the front roll bar to stay in his seat. At least twice I saw the rear of the tractor give way and slide a little sideways down the slope and I heard him yell out but he kept going faster than I would have thought possible. I thought I was going to see him roll into the lake and die. But he didn't.

I still cannot believe it.

The state hiway mowers down here do the same thing. I cant believe some of the hills they cut sideways on. They are using 100 hp SRW tractors it looks like with batwing mowers. They have way more nerves than me on those slops.

 

[rekees4300]

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.

1. Remove bucket or forks.
2. Climb hills in reverse then go forward downhill (front of the tractor pointed downhill).
3. Also use 4WD.
4. Go slow.

Bottom line is make sure you are comfortable with what method you choose and as Shaneard said - in the end ask yourself if mowing that section is really worth getting hurt or killed over.
Sometimes a good pair of boots and a weed eater really isn't so bad

^^^ Very sage advice indeed. ^^^ If you are physically able to weed-eater the 135 feet X 70 feet then that's your best option. Zero chance of rollover using that method.

 

[Coyote machine]

I have a few places that can be scary as to slope and mowing. I bought a Husky 322T AWD ride mower, with Combi 103 deck, (3 blades, mulching deck), and it gets the job done, and keeps me alive. I used to try to do the same areas with my Scag Wildcat ZT mower and it would break loose and literally put me into the trees on three different slopes. At that point I said enough, walked away and found the above mentioned solution. It's not perfect, but the traction is incredible and the mower is fairly small, aprox. 42-46" deck IIRC, and because it's AWD it goes where other mowers just can't. Its a fine mower and I feel good about letting my wife mow almost all of the property when so inclined, except the really steep parts I do with caution still.
Flipping over backwards, or sideways with a tractor or mower or combo machine is not something anyone needs to experience, and one flip could/can be all one gets to experience. Get the necessary equipment, or walk a push or self propelled mower or weed eater where it's too dangerous to otherwise mow safely. No sense getting hurt or killed to cut some grassy area, right?!:thumbsup:

 

[hawkeye08]

1. Remove bucket or forks.
2. Climb hills in reverse then go forward downhill (front of the tractor pointed downhill).
3. Also use 4WD.
4. Go slow.



^^^ Very sage advice indeed. ^^^ If you are physically able to weed-eater the 135 feet X 70 feet then that's your best option. Zero chance of rollover using that method.

I disagree with removing bucket. I keep the bucket on for both ballast going uphill and to be able to drop to ground going downhill if needed. I would not want to go up my hill without the bucket.. I tried it once and it was not stable either up or down.

I go pretty slow, that is a biggie..

 

[rekees4300]

I disagree with removing bucket. I keep the bucket on for both ballast going uphill and to be able to drop to ground going downhill if needed. I would not want to go up my hill without the bucket.. I tried it once and it was not stable either up or down.

I go pretty slow, that is a biggie..

Different strokes for different folks. IMO the weight of the bucket reduces rear wheel traction (aka no brakes). That's never a good thing on a slope. Learned that lesson the hard way, on a runaway tractor that nearly rolled over. It's an OH CHIT moment when the brakes are applied and nothing happens.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

For some reason I am much more comfortable backing up my really steep stuff (and going forward down the slope). Seat belt keeps me from falling forward over the steering wheel.

Bucket stays very close to the ground. Obviously 4wd and low (HST) range. With the weigh of the shredder and loaded tires the back end has never felt the least bit light.

I'm also able to travel at 90deg to the slope and never when it's wet.

 

[Coyote machine]

For some reason I am much more comfortable backing up my really steep stuff (and going forward down the slope). Seat belt keeps me from falling forward over the steering wheel.

Bucket stays very close to the ground. Obviously 4wd and low (HST) range. With the weigh of the shredder and loaded tires the back end has never felt the least bit light.

I'm also able to travel at 90deg to the slope and never when it's wet.

Sorry, but the text in red above seems to say you traverse the slope; 'mow sideways', which puts you and your machine at risk of rollover. Once you reach the critical point where you can't recover from a rollover your bucket and weighted tires will not keep you upright, IMHO. Am I missing something about what you're saying/doing?

 

[boggen]

there are hills i avoid here on the farm. some are nice and easy and without question. others ya begin gritting your teeth they are short, and some what steep. and toss it into lowest gear/range possible, and go straight on down it. and wait till you get down the flat spot. making sure never to push in the clutch. and foot on "split rear brake pedals" not to smash them but to slightly tap, and even then a bit edgy of taping and causing a sudden turn and rolling over.

and then others that are no way in heck going to get mowed, i do not have a death wish. nor will my body last long enough pushing my nerves long enough to get it mowed all the way.

i have one spot up next to road, were there should be a "guard rail installed" so folks do not crash. and die (someone did several years ago.). i bring mower up to it. and then take a sharp turn away from it. never actually touching that hill.

another hill on other side of home up near road. it can be mowed up and down, but as soon as you get down your in the road side ditch, with folks doing 55mph and hills on road on both sides, there is not much visibility of drivers. and you only have a foot of wiggle room to make sure you turn as sharp as you can when you get down to the bottom of the ditch without actually driving up on the road itself.

i have another section that has a wash out here or there, i know were they are, but every time i end up mowing, i end up staying further and further away each time, trying to remember exactly were the wash out is.

i have 2 dams (2 lakes) both of them only the top gets mowed. both sides are to steep. and the tops are not wide enough to "turn 90 degrees" and mow down the sides.

i have a few hills i do mow sideways on. not real they are not as steep, but still ya end up paying attention due to needing to go around some trees, and other obsticals that does put tractor or a mower into a bad position to possibly roll over.

==========
just do not mow it, if you feel unsafe.

if ya gotta hike your leg, just to think you gotta have that counter balance, or set clear up on side of seat to mow. just do not mow it. not worth it.