4X4 downhill traction issue

[locknut]

Finally got the tires put on and tried it out today.Had about 2 in of rain up there Friday so the ground was somewhat soft but the grass was dry.What I observed today is that no matter what I do to try to slow the thing down,one rear wheel will start skidding and the only way to remedy that is to give it forward hydro and speed up,which is ok where there is plenty of room to run it out.Backpeddling the hydro only made things worse as the skidding rear turns backwards and more pedal breaks a front tire loose and turns it backwards.I still believe if the K664 had a rear locker where both rears would hold I could ease this thing down a hill without breaking traction,much like the Kubota.They make a K664 with a locker but I guess Simplicity was too cheap to spec it. Panther 4WD | Seco GROUP a.s. Of course,the manual says to not use the machine on slopes over 10 deg.If one has no slopes over 10 deg,there would be no need to get a 4WD.

Anyway,here's a couple pics.Notice the skidding starts not too far downslope.This hill will be a mess with erosion with continued use like this.Not sure what I'm going to do.The Simplicity deck does a much better job cutting the remainder of the yard and doesn't scalp when breaking over the crest of several knobs in the yard.

 

[k0ua]

Well dang, I was really hoping the new tires would fix it, but I guess because the front tires don't really hold back any, and you effectively have a 2wd going down hill, Maybe it is a lost cause. I have a bank that may be steeper, and I can't mow it with the JD, I have to use the Kioti and the rotary cutter. Of course that is neither convenient to hook it up all the time just to mow the little bank, nor does it do a real pretty job. If I had lots of run out room I could go down it with the JD, but I don't.

James K0UA

 

[94BULLITT]

I have some steep spots the BX will slide off of. Locking the diff does not help it, 4WD is the only way to keep from sliding. Do you have anyway you could add some more weight to the back of it to test it out?

 

[JerryG]

Put on wheel weights.

 

[locknut]

Well dang, I was really hoping the new tires would fix it, but I guess because the front tires don't really hold back any, and you effectively have a 2wd going down hill, Maybe it is a lost cause. I have a bank that may be steeper, and I can't mow it with the JD, I have to use the Kioti and the rotary cutter. Of course that is neither convenient to hook it up all the time just to mow the little bank, nor does it do a real pretty job. If I had lots of run out room I could go down it with the JD, but I don't.

James K0UA

Yea,there's only one wheel trying to hold the thing back when it starts skidding.I guess I could design some brakes for the front wheels.That would for sure fix it. :thumbsup:

 

[locknut]

I have some steep spots the BX will slide off of. Locking the diff does not help it, 4WD is the only way to keep from sliding. Do you have anyway you could add some more weight to the back of it to test it out?

Not without building a weightbox,and I don't have any wheel weights for this tractor.I've tried adding weight previously on a rear drive tractor with aggressive tires and it made very little difference.With a hill this steep you really need traction on both axles on the downhill run.One thing I didn't mention is that I'm only carrying a 115lb 44" deck from an old Broadmoor.I may put the 54" deck on it and see how it does pulling it uphill.Downhill I'm sure will be worse as it weighs 192lbs.

 

[94BULLITT]

Is there anyway you can modify the hydro to keep it from freewheeling?

 

[Tollster]

On my BX I also have to engage 4x4. Perhaps you could put a 5 gallon pail of concrete on the rear trailer tongue, with an aggressive tire and see how it works

 

[jenkinsph]

I know you have had a heck of a lot of rain lately but I suspect the ground surface will dry out quickly on a hill that steep. I would give it a try when it dries out more. Other than that you might be better off trading for a mower or subcut that can handle the slope.

 

[Dr Dave]

I saw my neighbor mowing his steap hill30 to 35 deg. He hasJD rider with tire chains. He goes straight up an down.

Dave