Mowing 15*-17* across the slope mowing BX25

[Scooby074]

Can u do it at an angle? Would be a bit safer perhaps? Just remember that one small rock, root, or sink hole could knock you off balance so be careful

Id do vertical if possible, but unfortunately my property doesnt end on a flat, so i got nowhere to turn, plus i have to edge along the bottom somehow to even the vertical passes. That leaves me no options besides at least one or two sidehill passes (perimeter passes to even the bottom edge). Vertical also gets me into a side hill turning situation at the end of a pass.

made a couple calls the other day and found a place to fill my rears for $30/tire. This doesnt include a tube.

Nobody local does Rimguard. Only one place even heard of it, but said it was so expensive that Nova Scotia Power (former public util) got a quote and passed!! now thats expensive.

That same place also has done foaming. Said it was extremely expensive and adds no weight, just puncture resistance... Hmm..... Must be a pretty light foam?

And for giggles i asked about filling with windshield washer... none of the 4 places ever heard of that... one place even laughed at me when i suggested it:laughing:

So its pretty much calcium locally. I might DIY WW if i can get a price on some bulk fluid. Rimguard didnt return my email.

 

[ducks13]

I'd use water and anti-freeze to load the tires.

 

[ChuckinNH]

Get the loader, and backhoe off before you even give it a try. I found my BX22 to be a little scary in places I thought would be fine with those mounted, but that tractor was a real mountain goat when the loader, and BH were off. Have the MMM mounted, but keep it raised for the trial, and I think you will be fine. I mow steeper small areas (upper wheel gets light if I don't sit on the edge of the seat sometimes) with my Simplicity which is about the same width, and only a little lighter, but has a higher center of gravity, and the mmm rides on the ground so it doesn't help. If you start to, and don't feel good about it, just stop no matter if it is technically safe, or not. The longer you use your tractor the more confidence you will have, and the better your judgement about what you should do, or shouldn't try will be better too. I mow areas now that I was nervous about 10 years ago, and they are perfectly safe. Remember that a rock, hump, or depression can change the angle very quickly, so stay alert.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Would you mow across a 15-17* slope with a BX and MMM?

Would you add weight to the tires?

We really need a poll option here on TBN

What I did when I got mine is go to the worry point, climb off and try to tip the tractor by hand. It was solid as a rock - so I carefully proceeded to a steeper portion and repeated. When I got to the steepest place I needed to mow I began to detect some instability. I could have pushed hard enuf on the ROPS to tip the tractor. This slope measured 28°. My tires arent filled. I mow it all the time -- with care. Near the limit any bumps become a big issue as they can "throw" you over. The tractor will be more stable with the low slung weight of the MMM.
larry

 

[flusher]

Would you mow across a 15-17* slope with a BX and MMM?

Would you add weight to the tires?

We really need a poll option here on TBN

Your MMM helps a lot to lower the center of gravity of your BX25.
Check the squat ratio of your tractor (width of the rear tire track measured to the outside of the tires divided by the height of the centerline of the rear axle). If that ratio is less than 3.0, you need to be concerned about stability.

For example, the SR of my 2008 Mahindra 5525 is 2.84 while the SR of my 1964 MF135 diesel is 4.15. The difference: the 5525 has typical ag type rear tires with 28" dia rims and a 71" track width. The 135 has 16" dia rims, 18.5 in dia tires and an 83" track width.

Here's the 5525 next to the 2005 Kubota B7510HST (which I traded in as part of the 5525 deal). That 7510 is pretty close in size and configuration to your BX25.



This is the MF135. It's a field tractor that's be modified for use in the orchard where it has to squat low to pass under tree branches. The front axle spindles are shorter to keep the tractor level when running those wide rears. My place is 10 acres of flat pasture, so the slope problem doesn't arise. But the 135 would be choice to mow on slopes like yours.

 

[Scooby074]

Your MMM helps a lot to lower the center of gravity of your BX25.
Check the squat ratio of your tractor (width of the rear tire track measured to the outside of the tires divided by the height of the centerline of the rear axle). If that ratio is less than 3.0, you need to be concerned about stability.

For example, the SR of my 2008 Mahindra 5525 is 2.84 while the SR of my 1964 MF135 diesel is 4.15. The difference: the 5525 has typical ag type rear tires with 28" dia rims and a 71" track width. The 135 has 16" dia rims, 18.5 in dia tires and an 83" track width.

Here's the 5525 next to the 2005 Kubota B7510HST (which I traded in as part of the 5525 deal). That 7510 is pretty close in size and configuration to your BX25.

View attachment 220641

This is the MF135. It's a field tractor that's be modified for use in the orchard where it has to squat low to pass under tree branches. The front axle spindles are shorter to keep the tractor level when running those wide rears. My place is 10 acres of flat pasture, so the slope problem doesn't arise. But the 135 would be choice to mow on slopes like yours.

View attachment 220642View attachment 220643

DANG.. That is a WIDE 135:thumbsup:

Ill get out the tape and measure it up. See what we got. While most of the slope is 15* there is one spot where it subsided a bit. Id say that area is probably 20+

 

[JoeL4330]

not sure I understand why a MM mower would lower the CG when you are mowing...it's floating on the ground...if your tractor (heaven forbid) were to start to roll, at some point the mower comes off the ground and wants to help but the interval before it comes off the ground could allow the roll to generate sufficient momentum that it could be hard to reverse ...

but, it sounds like you have the situation under control; filling the tires will help and you'd feel it in the seat of your pants, but your lawn won't like it as much. Nonetheless, I'd do it.

 

[ChuckinNH]

The weight of a BX mower is supported by the tractor, and the anti scalp wheels only touch on bumps, and humps, etc. So the weight does help. My Simplicity mower rides on the ground, but is still weight the tractor has to lift before it can roll.

 

[roamerr]

Not sure what the front bank is I mow but it's steep enough that the front wheels spin uphill while the backs slip some. I end up mowing at a slight angle that marks the hill but still beats the next option of weedeater use. I'm amazed at how well my BX2230 holds a hill. Concerned me the first time but now I am used to it. Without 4wd it would never mow the bank I mow. My front and rear tires are filled.

 

[flusher]

DANG.. That is a WIDE 135:thumbsup:

Ill get out the tape and measure it up. See what we got. While most of the slope is 15* there is one spot where it subsided a bit. Id say that area is probably 20+

Yep. The guy I bought the 135 from thinks the original owner (I'm the 3rd owner) got those wide rears off a self-propelled swather or maybe a combine.