BX2200 - Roll Over

[Spud]

Hi

How much of a slope will the BX2200 handle before it becomes unstable? I have several slopes which are about
30 degrees as well as some ditches which I would want to
mow. The ditches are fairly steep.

Thanks
Spud

 

[huckflynn]

I would think that anything over 20 degrees is pushing your luck. There is no emphatic answer because there are a number of variables like the smoothness of the terrain, the condition of the terrain (wet, muddy, etc.), tire tread, tractor speed, tractor configuration (2/4wd, weighted wheels, loader on/off, etc) and your height and weight.

Even with 20 degree slopes, I'd get rid of the loader and use 4wd. I have some shrubs that I have to mow around and between on fairly steep slopes and the tractor handles it quite nicely -- but I take it slow.

I have some steep slopes into ditches and am more comfortable using my high wheel trimmer/mower. I tried doing it with the tractor once, but after hitting a couple of ruts I thought better of it.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by huckflynn on 09/24/01 07:39 PM (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Bird]

If the landing is OK at the bottom of those slopes and there's another way to the top, I'd mow straight down a 30 degree slope, but you'll never see me crossways on one./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

 

[huckflynn]

Bird,

You got me thinking. I measured my slopes once -- when I was mowing with a Yardman garden tractor. As I recall, the recommended limit for the Yardman was 15 degrees. I think my slopes where more like 20 degrees -- not 30. I've edited my previous post. Thanks.

 

[Bird]

I believe someone (Rick from R&B Mfg.?) posted a message awhile back saying that tractors are supposed to be able to handle 20 degree side slope. I've been on 18, 15 scares me, and I don't want to try 20 crossways on my tractor. I do think the BX would be a bit more stable than my B2710.

Bird

 

[huckflynn]

I tried to find the old Yardman manual where I noted the various slopes around the property. No luck. I dug up the BX2200 manual to see if there were any recommendations. How's this for exactness:

"To avoid upsets, always back up steep slopes. Stay off hills and slopes too steep for safe operation."

They do offer some specifics:

"7. Avoid sudden starts. To avoid upsets, slow down when turning, on uneven terrain and before stopping."

"8. The tractor cannot turn with the differential locked and attempting to do so could be dangerous."

"9. Do not operate near ditches, holes, embankments or other terrain features which may collapse under the tractor's weight. The risk of tractor upset is even higher when the ground is loose or wet."

and,

"10. Driving forward out of a ditch or mired condition or up a steep slope risks a tractor to be upset backward. Always back out of these situations. Extra caution is required with four-wheel drive models because their higher traction can give the operator false confidence in the tractor's ability to climb slopes."

After my 30/20 goof, I can appreciate their lack of specifics about degrees.

 

[RBManufacturing]

Hi Spud,
Rick at R&B here. We deal with 28 + highway depts.
across the country, and 99% use a 3-to-1 grade.(18.43)
degrees as a safety limit for mowing tractors. They use
J.D.-Kubota-N.H. Case, etc. My meetings with them found
that they arrived at that figure by checking with the Mfg.
of their tractors for limits. All are standard duty large and
small, tractors. They tell me that the Mfgs. Must meet a
20 degree side to side slope without lifting a wheel off the
ground. HOWEVER- this is a static test. (tractor is sitting
still). on a platform that tilts.You must always allow for
ruts, stumps, wash-outs, etc. We recommend 15 degrees as
a limit. We also recommend wheel weights, etc. AND ALWAYS
ROPS. Hope this helps. Rick

Rick Hedgecock
R&B Manufacturing
http://www.tiltmeter.com
(816)587-9814

 

[TractorTim]

Spud

I mow aproximatly 1 of my 5 acres with my BX2000 that ranges from 15 deg. to 20 deg. I never mow with the FEL attached and I have a tilt meter mounted to my grill guard that is in my line of sight at all times. I have not had any problems "YET", but I take it slow. I have used turf and bar turf tires for this application and like the bar tires better. I would not recommend mowing across more that a 20 deg slope. Mow down, then back up the hill to prevent the tractor from comming over. Good luck and keep it on all four.

TractorTim

 

[medfieldtractor]

I agree with the comments above that you are probably safe operating a tractor sideways across an incline up to about 15%. My property is fairly hilly and I cut across most of the inclined areas with no problem. Like many of the folks on this forum, I have a tiltmeter (which I mounted on the FEL grill guard at the front of my HST B7500) and I watch it fairly closely since there are a few areas where the incline is closer to 20%. So far, I have had no problem with the 15% inclines so long as I am moving steady, with good traction. To avoid loss of traction, I generally operate in 4WD when on the more inclined areas and, where the incline is greater than 15%, I only operate the tractor straight up and down. Following these general guidelines, I have used my tractor with and without the FEL without any problems either way.

 

[RBManufacturing]

medfieldtractor,
% or degrees ? Rick

Rick Hedgecock
R&B Manufacturing
http://www.tiltmeter.com
(816)587-9814