Operating on steep hills and Engine/HST oil starvation?

[Rock Crawler]

It is very common to guess almost twice the slope angle. I have 2 angle indicators on my tractor to tell me what it really is. My 45 degree sloped roof is also always a reality check. Amazing that my tractor is rated to go sideways on that angle.

Ken

This is a 16-17 degree measured slope. This is the flat part of the property, down into the tree line is drops steeper.

 

[CincyFlyer]

It is very common to guess almost twice the slope angle. I have 2 angle indicators on my tractor to tell me what it really is. My 45 degree sloped roof is also always a reality check. Amazing that my tractor is rated to go sideways on that angle.

Ken

What tractor is "rated" to go cross-hill at 45 degrees? Most manufacturers recommended not going over 1/3 of that!

 

[Rock Crawler]

What tractor is "rated" to go cross-hill at 45ｰ? Most manufacturers recommended not going over 1/3 of that!

He has a Power Trac 1850.
It's not a tractor per say, its more of a purpose built slope crawler.

 

[SpringHollow]

The PT1850 is a very multipurpose tractor. I use it mostly as a front end loader and small back hoe but its main market is as a slope mower with an 8' bush hog. I routinely use it with 1000 lbs in the bucket (raised 3') on a dual 30 degree slope. The tractor is not great at plowing fields but works well with a roto tiller attachment. It is an excellent tractor for property maintenance but not great if you plant crops.

Ken

 

[CincyFlyer]

He has a Power Trac 1850.
It's not a tractor per say, its more of a purpose built slope crawler.

Yeah, I see—that thing has a C/G two feet lower than my tractor!

 

[CobyRupert]

I called my dealer about backhoeing on a hill. He said don't operate the BH for extended period over 15 degrees. I don't know if he's right or wrong.

For an extended period? But it's ok to operate equipment with oil starvation for 5, 10, 15 minutes or so?

 

[ovrszd]

As to HST, I believe it would take an up/down situation to cause it to suck air.

As to engine, depends on where the sump and pickup is. Many, many times I've had my offroad buggy at such an angle that it loses oil pressure. First indication is valve train noise, hydraulic lifters losing prime, etc. In all engines the crankshaft is fed first. So chances of hurting bottom end is extremely low.

I'm in steep timber a lot with my tractors. I'm not man enough to ride my Kubota on any slope that would cause it to lose hydraulic pressure or engine oil pressure.

As mentioned before, it's easy to overrate a slope. In the electronic world we live in you can put an app on your phone that can be used to measure slope. I use AngleMeterPro. I won't ride a side slope more than 18 degrees with my Ford which is very stable.

I also downloaded a conversion chart that can be used to determine slope by using a straight edge such as a long 2x4 and a tape measure. If mowing a side slope, 5 to 1 is comfortable. 4 to 1 is doable. 3 to 1 is dangerous.

I've saw several pictures here on TBN of slopes claimed to be some high degree number. If the pic is shot along the face of the slope and there are trees in the pic they can also be used to figure the slope. Rarely is it as steep as claimed. Rockcrawler's pic is a doable slope for mowing. At the far left you can see a couple trees that indicate the degree of slope, as well as the roofline in the background.

 

[ovrszd]

For an extended period? But it's ok to operate equipment with oil starvation for 5, 10, 15 minutes or so?

If I can't get my buggy back on it's wheels within 30 seconds or so I shut down.

 

[Rock Crawler]

Rockcrawler's pic is a doable slope for mowing. At the far left you can see a couple trees that indicate the degree of slope, as well as the roofline in the background.

The trees by my dog on the left are making it look even steeper because they are bending outward towards the clear grass and sun. You can clearly see the chimney and the telephone pole and see that I am true to the angle as shown. If you tried to adjust the picture to those trees... my dog would be falling over sideways. Those are smaller, newer trees reaching to your right to get out from under the canopy of the older larger trees overhead. I used a weighted protractor scale and 6' level on the yard to get the actual angles, it truly is only 16-ish degrees as shown. I have a steeper part behind me, up by the road that measures at 30-32 degrees. That... that is STEEP.

 

[ovrszd]

The trees by my dog on the left are making it look even steeper because they are bending outward towards the clear grass and sun. You can clearly see the chimney and the telephone pole and see that I am true to the angle as shown. If you tried to adjust the picture to those trees... my dog would be falling over sideways. Those are smaller, newer trees reaching to your right to get out from under the canopy of the older larger trees overhead. I used a weighted protractor scale and 6' level on the yard to get the actual angles, it truly is only 16-ish degrees as shown. I have a steeper part behind me, up by the road that measures at 30-32 degrees. That... that is STEEP.

Yep, after I mentioned your trees I looked again and realized they are giving a false reading and figured it was because of timber pressure. But the man made items are giving a realistic reading.

You don't try to mow your 30 degree slopes sideways do you??