Getting to Know the Tractor on a Slope

[davidcbaker]

Third time I've mowed the huge field out back today. I'm getting more comfortable with the tractor and what's safe and what isn't. The first time was NOT relaxing. Second time was a little more familiar. Third time I wasn't stupid, but I knew where/how to maneuver. This is an M5-111 pulling a 15' batwing. I leave HD pallet forks on, low but pointed up. Rear wheels are spread. Cast iron weights on the rear. Four wheel drive. Unlock the brakes at the touchier parts and ready to turn down the hill while tapping down-slope brakle side.

While inclinometer showed this several times, tractor felt very stable at every point.

I'm still (and will ALWAYS) treat it with great respect, but it's a slow process of learning the machine and the field.

 

[redman135]

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?

 

[Argonne]

My self imposed limit on side-hills is 20 deg, and then only if I'm in 1 low and it's dry. It took me 2 seasons to sneak up on that number. 20 degrees feels like a LOT.

 

[oosik]

Interesting - - of little value here on my land. Its either dead flat or vertical drop-off. Have to be real fast to read the tilt meter before hitting the bottom - KERSPLAT.

 

[davidcbaker]

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?

I got it here. Not sure on your second question, as I've never considered that.

25C Dual Axis Tiltmeter - TractorByNet.com Store

 

[davidcbaker]

My self imposed limit on side-hills is 20 deg, and then only if I'm in 1 low and it's dry. It took me 2 seasons to sneak up on that number. 20 degrees feels like a LOT.

It does feel like a lot! I am not looking at the meter--I use it to train my butt, and just rarely glance at it to inform my instincts.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

Thoughts from another nervous new tractor owner with a lot of steep.

I thought about an inclinometer, but in the end decided it wasn't much use ON my tractor as by the time I get a reading I'm already on the slope. There's an inclinometer or "Clinometer" app on my smart phone. So I got that and went around measuring the various slopes. Plan to do this for each new area I tackle. My pond trail ended up being around 21° (40% slope), with a few short scoots a bit steeper and some less steep. Took me a few weeks to head down (I document all this in my "journal" thread) but the tractor did fine.

I'm sure your huge M series is more stable than mine. But with a big tractor you're sitting up higher so it FEELS worse. That was one of my dilemmas when choosing a tractor. I still haven't taken my tractor on most of my trails....yet. And my garden tractor and riding mower have been all over them. Supposedly the GTs are less stable, but it sure doesn't feel that way.

If it's any comfort, rollovers seem to be relatively rare and according to statistics, with ROPS up and seatbelt on, 99% are survivable.

Filled tires, ROPS up, seatbelt on, 4WD, low range, plenty of ballast on the back, avoid going sidehill, watch for rocks/stumps/holes, everything held low as possible, and never on wet ground.

If you're going downhill and the rear gets light, back up. Don't know why but it helps.

If you're tackling a scary downhill for the first time, inch down a little, then back up. It's reassuring to know you can back out of there.

 

[oosik]

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.

 

[Argonne]

I put an inclinometer on my Ford. Worked out well in that location. I got it on ebay if I remember correctly.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

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.

 

[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!