Are You A Pusher Or A Puller?...Sidehill Steering

[OkieG]

When driving across a sidehill, I always grab a fender handle for support. Usually, I pull on the uphill handle, but sometimes support my upper body weight by pushing on the downhill handle.

There are some sidehills that I mow across in our yard, and having the time while mowing to think about such esoteric things, I wonder if it makes any difference which I use.

Do you have a preference...and maybe a reason why?

OkieG

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I grab the right hand fender handle whether it's uphill or down. I don't know why. Maybe it's because all of my controls (loader, 3 pt., etc.) are all on the right so I've just gotten in the habit of steering with my left hand and doing everything else with my right hand.

 

[CDsdad]

I'm a puller. Tend to grab on uphill side. Dont' know why.

 

[MossRoad]

Our tractor has the ROPS in front of the operator. It makes for a great hand-hold. I tend to steer with my left hand, so I tend to grab with my right. So I'm a pusher-puller, depending on which way I go across the hill.

 

[randy41]

i almost always hang on with my right and steer with my left. funny...i hang my left out the window in the car and steer with the right

 

[PineRidge]

I'm a puller and I also lean to the high side as well. Don't think it really matters much as my 220 pound frame isn't going to keep 5000 pounds of steel upright if it decides to flop, but it's a mental thing I reckon.

 

[HGM]

I'm a puller myself, but heres another question that qoes allong with it if you dont mind... Which brake do you monitor, the uphill or downhill? Meaning, if the tractor was to begin rolling(hope it never does, but I think about it), is it safer to lock the lower brake and lift the implement so it will nose downhill, or lock the uphill brake(that may not be on the ground) with the implement down?

 

[Nasty135]

Being right handed, I usually use my left hand so it depends on which way I'ma going? One way I push the other I pull...

HGM, It would be best to point the tractor to the down hill side , Unless your right next to the river In which case hit the eject button...

 

[shane]

I just about steer everything with my left and hold on to whatever with my right. I believe I do it this way from years of driving stick shifts and needing to steer with my left. And maybe its also wanting to be able to hold on to my sweetie sitting beside me back when I started dating and driving.

 

[AndyMA]

I always lean uphill and usually both hands are doing something If I were to grab it would be on uphill side when I jump off. Obviously tractors always fall downhill and I would much rather be on high side observing.

Andy