Getting to Know the Tractor on a Slope

[oosik]

Well - now, see there Steppenwolfe - you are stretching the world there where you are located - - I'm compressing it over here. I VERY SELDOM need 4WD here. Only in heavy plowing - either dirt or snow berm removal along the driveway.

Today will be the third time in the last thirty days - - I will put on my bright fluorescent yellow shorts and go out and do the rain dance. Its so dry here - even a popcorn fart would look soggy.

 

[ovrszd]

The inclinometer is a tidy looking design, where do you get them?
Also how do you adjust the read out to suit different size tractors?

His picture shows the company name and phone number.

 

[oosik]

The angle that a tractor sits at on any slope is not affected by the size of the tractor. Big tractor or small tractor - put them on a 10% slope - the "slope meter" or whatever you want to call the unit had better read 10% on both tractors. There would be no adjustment for the size of a tractor or any vehicle for that matter.

However - if you are talking about - - what slope is my tractor going to roll over at - - well, there are a whole lot of factors affecting that, obviously.

Quite honestly - I see a slope meter being the cause of as many roll overs as it might save. You are mowing along - your slope meter reading XX - you know its safe because you have been at that angle many times and no roll overs. Suddenly - either your front or rear downhill tire drops into an unseen hole. You are on your top in a heart beat. Rather than being careful and observant of the operating environment - your eyes are glued on your fancy tilt-O-meter. I hope you enjoy the ride.

 

[ovrszd]

I bought a tilt meter for my Kubota B2910. Educated my wife to never exceed 15 degrees. Helped her confidence when mowing known road banks. None of which exceeded 15 degrees. Gave her comfort while getting familiar with the tractor. She didn't drive along staring at the meter. Only glanced at it when she felt like she was in danger of flopping. After a few mowings she ignored it.

Very handy tool when used as it's intended.

 

[Argonne]

... You are mowing along - your slope meter reading XX - you know its safe because you have been at that angle many times and no roll overs.

Yes, I'm sure we are all idiots.

 

[ovrszd]

Yes, I'm sure we are all idiots.

Totally.

 

[kthompson]

One thing I do not like on the loader type tires on tractor is sidewall are stiff enough you can not tell when they are low in air. At least those on my B2710 Kubota. So they can be low in air to the point they will pop loose from rim with a side load and that is a sudden drop. Happened once is how I learned they do not bag, again the ones on my Mubota B2710. Fortunate it was not much of a side slope, our land has little slope to it.

 

[davidcbaker]

Most of my 80 acres is flat. The exception - the ten acre lake on my property. The basaltic lava walls are vertical and drop straight down into water that is 45 feet deep right at the wall. The lake is 80 feet deep down the center line.


View attachment 566435 Picture is off my front porch. Looking across my little ten acre lake you can see the vertical rock cliffs. I don't even get close to the "edges" with my ATV - let alone my tractor. Many - my young son and his friends - have found it fun diving off these cliffs. I'm old enough to know the meaning of pain and don't participate.

This side has the same basaltic lava rock walls - straight down into the water. There is one spot where we "normal" people can access my dock and the lake. Another couple weeks of our hot wx and the lake will be warm enough to swim in.

I could strap anything I wanted on my tractor but plain old common sense works just fine - "stay back from the edge".

BTW - this lake is typical of most all lakes of all sizes in this part of the country - called - - The Channeled Scablands of Ea WA.

Gosh! That's a beautiful piece of property.

 

[davidcbaker]

Nashville... my hometown. Anyway, I feel your pain on those hills. Here in the Blue Ridge it is a way of life. I pick my battles carefully and use what little sense I have to stay off certain area's. Mowing is tricky if the grass is just the slightest bit wet. I NEVER take my tractor out of 4wd on my property. Learned that lesson real fast.

Come visit some time! We have an 1140, too.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

BTW I didn't mean to knock the idea of the clinometer on the tractor; was just sharing my own thought process about it....which is often wrong. But you might also want to try the phone app if you have a smart phone. I'm not really an "app" person; I have a total of two: one to look at the stars, and the clinometer. But when I'm considering my next scary trail, it will help me to scope it out using the phone app before I go down there.

I got to see what happens if you don't do it right when my brother went down my 40% slope with a full FEL and nothing on the rear.... Nice to know my tractor did NOT actually go over, though it was close. I hope you have filled tires. Stay safe!