Traction GC1705 Safe Working Angle

[Massey2019]

Starting to use my new tractor and love what I have been able to do.
My question: working for the past couple of days cleaning out trees and debris from an area between my neighbors home and mine. Got into a couple of pulls that I didn稚 feel comfortable. Had to use the differential lock and 4 wheel drive to get out.
My Spidy sense told me I was on the edge.
How do I know what the max angle I should use?

Thanks

 

[WranglerX]

For me its stay on flat ground, I have had some unusual upsets on side hill operations and after some i-net research even with low center of gravity working across side hill horizontally is not very safe no matter what the angle of hill is... Any hill operation would be better done in straight vertical (up/down) orientation and avoid going across the slope face..... Having bucket in up position also changes center of gravity (makes it higher) so always keep it as low as possible.....

Adding wheel spacers to get wider track will increase stability some, and I find a low slung ballast weigh on rear helps some....

Have come to conclusion and my disappointment it is really not safe when off "level" ground because a lot of my cutting (fire break) is on slopes and no always able to go vertical on slopes...

Ironically manual does not seem to give any details on how much slope (angle) is acceptable...

Pay attention to your spidy sense....

How Steep a Slope Can I Take My Tractor On? - YouTube

Others will have different views and comments BUT I will keep my mine as stated above as I live to ride another day....

Dale

 

[Massey2019]

Appreciate the feedback. Grew up in Ohio and worked farms as a kid, but all were level or had rolling hills.

My gut was telling me, stop. Glad I did.

Thanks

 

[coldsteelva]

The problem with operating on a side slope is that pesky front axle pivot. On a given slope, with the FEL on, the front end can be leaning over, even at rest. If you're trying to do work and drop into a hole or bounce, you're practically already at the tipping point and that last jolt can put you over. I will admit to having used the backhoe swung uphill to traverse an area (but not work that area) while having the low side outrigger just barely off the ground as a crutch.

 

[Massey2019]

Went out and looked at the area we cleared last night and with the sand/Loam soil there is no way I would take the tractor on it. I don稚 think I would even try straight up and down as the soil could be unstable and things could go south quickly.

Always good to get feedback when you are unsure.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Never do work on slopes. Getting into position is a little different, loader and implement low to the ground, but not so you suddenly dig in, which can upset you too. Speed and momentum play a huge part in many upsets. Go dead slow in dangerous conditions. You will have more time to react and the momentum won't get you into trouble.

Also, and it may sound kind of weird. Feeling too proud will often get you into trouble.

 

[Massey2019]

Never do work on slopes. Getting into position is a little different, loader and implement low to the ground, but not so you suddenly dig in, which can upset you too. Speed and momentum play a huge part in many upsets. Go dead slow in dangerous conditions. You will have more time to react and the momentum won't get you into trouble.

Also, and it may sound kind of weird. Feeling too proud will often get you into trouble.

Appreciate the feedback.

Funny, proud of my tractor, but getting too old to show off and have a disaster happen.

Yeh, when I got nervous, I dropped the bucket as low as I could and still move. Locked the diff and crawled out in 4 wheel drive. Decided that wasn't going to do any slope work again and my guardian angel must be getting really tired of watching over me.....

 

[DMW]

Massey2019, just curious, what are you using for a counterweight?

 

[Massey2019]

None, new tractor with less than 5 hours on it.

The land clearing was an outlier, 99+% of its time will be spent working a table flat yard.

I am thinking about suitcase weights for the 3 point when using the loader. Tires are R4.

From the comments I’ve gotten, it appears my gut telling me to stop was good.

 

[DMW]

For tractor stability, I won't even use the loader without rear ballast on level ground. A full bucket of sand will lift the back end enough to spin the rears. Sudden stops, the back end lifts up. Working on slopes without any is living on the edge. You need 300-400 pounds on the the 3pt., whether a box blade or weight box. The tractor becomes completely different when using the loader.