Drive loader up the side of a pile

[Darryl N]

I'm a novice, so I would like opinions on this technique. Machine: 25hp compact loader/backhoe with R14 water filled tires.

In 4x4 low range, with a full bucket, drive about 6 feet up on to a large-ish pile of dense brush/dirt, while simultaneously raising the boom and dumping the bucket. Curl the bucket and lower the boom while rolling backwards off the pile. This was very effective at shaping the pile verticallly. Tractor remains level side-to-side and does not feel "tippy", but the incline is perhaps as much as 30 degrees. Nobody told me I couldn't or shouldn't, but in hindsight it does seem a little, uh, sketch.

What do you think?

 

[RjCorazza]

I occasionally run my tractor up or down 25-30 degree slopes without issue. I would have to really see what you're doing to have an opinion, but safety wise, it doesn't sound too crazy.

I guess my potential concerns would be the pile crushing or collapsing in an unpredictable way, or debris popping up and jamming something under the tractor.

I have a large burn pile every year, and usually just dump the brush then bring the loader and pallet forks down on it to pack it down.

 

[mikester]

Climbing a steep hill while raising a loaded bucket? I suggest making sure you always wear your seat belt and keep the ROPS up. Top up your life insurance if you have a young family. Make sure your will and powers of attorney are up to date.

Other than that what could possibly go wrong? If you drink your beer from bottles while operating your equipment it spills less. Party on!

 

[Darryl N]

Vivid imagination. OP says brush pile, not a steep hill, 6' linear distance up the side, dumping bucket while raising boom.

 

[scootr]

Hard to say without a video but, the fact that you are here asking about this leads me to think you yourself think it is a risky practice. Stop before you get hurt or puncture a tire or something.

 

[lman]

I do the same thing and my only concern is what the engine oil does when climbing that steep pile. I've been doing it for years with no problems so I guess the oil still lubricates adequately.

 

[Eagle1]

Pretty much what I do on my compost pile if I'm using the BX, just that the pile is on decent slope to start with. The LS lifts high enough to just pile on top but it's what ever I'm using.

 

[Beaver Cove Deere]

I’ve been doing it for many years with no problems.
Ever work in a processor gravel pit?

 

[Rockbadchild]

I do the same thing and my only concern is what the engine oil does when climbing that steep pile. I've been doing it for years with no problems so I guess the oil still lubricates adequately.

that's a good point, for short time probably not a issue... it all depends where is the intake of the oil pump ... I have heard this for driving on side hills since some pump where on one side... Nascar mediated this by having a deep end in their oil pan and having the suction there.

 

[Rockbadchild]

I don't see any problem with it as long as the tractor stay level side to side and there isn't anything poking upward that could cause damage to the tractor, I wouldn't get carried away with it tho ... and I would keep the rear tires on solid ground. The front oscillating axle can handle a good grade differences not like the rear.

 

[ericm979]

Depends on how much brush is in that brush/dirt. If it's mostly dirt and it's solid dirt, maybe its ok. If it's mostly brush then it would seem pretty sketchy.

I pile brush with the loader. I keep the loader low until I'm at the pile, and lift it just to dump the load (from a grapple, and I don't mix dirt and brush). The approach to the pile needs to be level or nearly level so there's not a risk from lifting the loader high.

Even if it does not collapse and dump you and the tractor, or get the tractor stuck, there's the risk of a limb or stick damaging the tractor. On the underside of most tractors there's a lot of exposed linkages, hoses and wires with zero protection.

No one's not going to tell you to do all kinds of stuff that's dangerous. You have to think out what the risks are beforehand. Keep in mind that the tractor's side to side stability comes from the rear axle (the front being on a pivot). Don't raise the loader up high unless the rear tires are on level ground. Go slow and stop to think if it feels sketchy.

 

[Darryl N]

Even if it does not collapse and dump you and the tractor, or get the tractor stuck, there's the risk of a limb or stick damaging the tractor. On the underside of most tractors there's a lot of exposed linkages, hoses and wires with zero protection.

This, exactly.

 

[SmallChange]

I do this to a slighter degree, driving maybe 2' or 3' up the pile while raising and dumping. Since it violates the idea that you shouldn't drive on uneven ground with the FEL high, it feels sketchy, so I only do it to this smaller degree.

My strategic vision is to gradually do this further and further until I tip the machine over backwards and destroy it, undo the seat belt, crawl out, replace the machine, and from there on out do it somewhat less far.

 

[John0829]

I’ve been doing it for many years with no problems.
Ever work in a processor gravel pit?

As long as what you are climbing will support the weight, it is perfectly safe.

Spent years in a gravel yard, of course gravel is different. It was a daily part of the job, in between loading trucks, dressing up/compacting the stockpiles.

 

[Vigo327]

My strategic vision is to gradually do this further and further until I tip the machine over backwards and destroy it, undo the seat belt, crawl out, replace the machine, and from there on out do it somewhat less far.

Thank you for this.

I do something like this fairly often, well i guess often while im building big piles, which isn't all that often. I typically use my box blade as loader counterweight so the limit of what i will drive up is my 'departure angle', or the angle where i can't keep my box blade from digging in even thought it's lifted all the way AND tilted all the way forward with the top link. I feel like that's over 30 degrees but i can't find a pic showing it right this second.

One thing i will point out about a box blade, is you can actually shape up a pile pretty easily with one while pushing backwards, because the 3pt does not prevent the box blade from pushing upward, so when you push dirt into/onto a big pile while reversing with the box blade, it tends to naturally ride up as the resistance of the pushed dirt rises. That will give a nice taper and let you push stuff up the side of a pile without having to manually mess with your 3pt height. Just back up until you're at the top of the pile, then drive off and do it again, and it will naturally push the bottom of the pile to the top in a nicely increasing slope. Assuming the pile isn't already super steep when you start. So it's more for gathering a mess into a nice pile, than doing something with an already existing pile.

If you have a really hard pile and a small tractor that can't break into it well, you can also back up the pile and drive down it with your rippers down and then turn around and load it with the loader. I've done that with an old pile of hardened asphalt millings before.