Guess the angle

[7snakes]

Thanks to all that posted trying to assist me. Gotrocks, I like your angle drawing. If my camera was not level in that pic, how far off could this make the angle to appear? How did you put these lines on the photo? One thing for sure is that I don't mow when wet for various reasons. It is a little comforting to know that my brushhog should prevent wheelies when going uphill. I do keep the bucket low to the ground to keep the c.o.g. low. While I think mowing horizontally and in arcs would definitely reduce my mowing time, I don't think I will ever feel comfortable on this hill to try it. Maybe with more years, I will have the ***** to try it.

 

[rekees4300]

Get one of these to determine the actual slope degrees.

Amazon.com: Johnson Level & Tool 750 Pitch and Slope Locator: Home Improvement

 

[gotrocks]

Thanks to all that posted trying to assist me. Gotrocks, I like your angle drawing. If my camera was not level in that pic, how far off could this make the angle to appear? I would guess off by angle of camera out of level. How did you put these lines on the photo? I put the image into my cad drawing pgm - draw horizontal line then draw others - dimension angles.

I would like to mention that when I first bhogged my dam going straight up and down- in 2 wd the brakes did not slow the decent very much. Now I always use 4 wd.

I go down and back up to top of (level) dam then down-up etc.

 

[7snakes]

I did something similar. However, something seems wrong with these lines put on the photos as I am pretty sure the slope is steeper than what these photos communicate. I don't have a good grasp of geometry or perspective, but for some reason they don't show the angle I experience when standing on, or driving this hill.

 

[The Haymaker]

I cross mow far steep than that, but won't do it with the bucket on. I think even if kept low, the CG is higher. You have the boom and cylinders, and even when at a low position most of the weight is above the axles.

 

[sweettractors]

I cross mow far steep than that, but won't do it with the bucket on. I think even if kept low, the CG is higher. You have the boom and cylinders, and even when at a low position most of the weight is above the axles.

You are 100% correct. Ken Sweet

 

[The Haymaker]

You are 100% correct. Ken Sweet

I also believe the tractor is most apt to roll when you begin turning downhill because at a slight down angle most of the tractor weight is on the downhill front wheel. Not good when you figure in the pivot of the front axle. Forklifts are the same way when unladen, only when traveling in the in the opposite direction or when turning uphill because the pivot is on the rear.

 

[7snakes]

Haymaker, you got me thinking even more. Seems to me many factors go into stability of a tractor on a slope. The tractor weight and height itself, size of tires, inflation of tires, wheelbase, height and weight of implements carried, surface conditions,and even the height and weight of the operator would all impact the center of gravity and stability on the hill. I'm sure some can travel on steeper slopes, but it would have to depend on some of these factors. Each individual's setup or conditions will be different. I will play with the protractor on another pic to see if I can get it to show an angle that I feel is more closely matching the angle I believe this hill to have. I also remembered I have an old surveyors transit that I can try to play with if I can figure out how to use it to get an angle.

 

[7snakes]

Ok here is one- I tried to make the line follow a cut I made straight down the hill. Am I doing something incorrect? Now it looks like a 30 degree slope.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Plants grow straight up. Put your protractor on a board 2' or so long so that you get a decent span to average. Place the assembly on the hill next to a straight plant stalk with the stalk crossing the origin and an angle marking. The hill angle is 90 minus the angle crossing.
larry

 

[7snakes]

Help me to visualize this setup Larry. Not sure if I get what you are saying.

 

[Eagleview]

Ok here is one- I tried to make the line follow a cut I made straight down the hill. Am I doing something incorrect? Now it looks like a 30 degree slope.

The protractor needs to be at 90* to the slope , you need a photo of the slope from side on and then use the protractor . The photo you have used is corner on . A better way of finding the angle is to use an angle finder on a board and you will be certain of the angle as you are relying on the camera being horizontal to start with . The slope is 15-16* and I personally would mow it sideways and turn up hill at the end of the row , reverse back on the opposite lock and you should be in line for the next pass . I would also set the wheels at a greater offset if you can to make it's foot print wider .

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Tractors can be quite stable on steep slopes but if the rear tire hits just a 2" deep hole on the low side it can be Katie bar the door time. I did not go down to the RR track where my BIL died picking up used ties for fence posts which he did a lot. He was on a 601 Ford pulling a trailer on an embankment. Just based on my experience I expect the low side rear tire dropped into low place.

Bush hogging on known slopes is one thing but to do the same thing in tall weeds/grass on a strange slope can be deadly fast.

I have started using the seat belt and both the MF and JD backhoe have approved roll bars. Better yet is to stay out of places that may test the roll protection. :thumbsup:

 

[SPYDERLK]

Help me to visualize this setup Larry. Not sure if I get what you are saying.

The plant is just a natural tool to give you a vertical reference. You will be measuring the plants angle wrt the ground surface of the hill. It will be less than 90. The difference from 90 is the angle of the hill.
larry

 

[BeeferMan]

I'd hay that, sideways and/or straight up and down, but I would have the advantage of a haybine putting weight on the tractor on the draw bar, which is below the CG. I've cut slopes steep enough that the front of the tractor (2WD) slides sideways, that's a good sign you're pushing the limits of your equipment. I prefer less weight on the front, for this very reason.

Ken is absolutely correct that if you think you're at the limit going up/down then you're better off working going up. If you start to slip going up hill, you'll stop, then back down and you're safe. If you start to slip going downhill - well, let's just say there are many bad ways that can turn out...

 

[crusty 1]

can you mow at an angle? not strait across or up and down?It sure looks do,able from what I,m see,ingDave

 

[sweettractors]

Haymaker, you got me thinking even more. Seems to me many factors go into stability of a tractor on a slope. The tractor weight and height itself, size of tires, inflation of tires, wheelbase, height and weight of implements carried, surface conditions,and even the height and weight of the operator would all impact the center of gravity and stability on the hill. I'm sure some can travel on steeper slopes, but it would have to depend on some of these factors. Each individual's setup or conditions will be different. I will play with the protractor on another pic to see if I can get it to show an angle that I feel is more closely matching the angle I believe this hill to have. I also remembered I have an old surveyors transit that I can try to play with if I can figure out how to use it to get an angle.

For me, What it boils down to is this: Mowing slopes is not a exact science that can strictly depend on angles. Many other factors are involved that can determine safe operations. The slope that felt comfortable mowing crossways last yeat may be a slope that will turn you over this year. If your upper tire hits a rock or gopher mound and you are driving too fast, over you go. If a low spot developes over the winter freezing and thawing or a sink falls in and you hit it on the lower side, over you go. Nothing like practice and experience gained over the years. During this learning curve, hopefully, nothing bad will happen. Bottom line is, if you don't feel comfortable, and confident, leave it alone. Ken Sweet

 

[7snakes]

Well, I finished mowing the hill today. Did most of it in the lowest gear and speed generally travelling straight up and down. Never lost traction, but a couple of places, I would only mow going downhill. Kept the bucket low at all times. Am going to go out tommorrow hopefully and get some measurements of the angle on the upper section. After coming down and going up it, I feel confident it is at least a 30 degree slope and possibly more. I don't think anything steeper I would attempt.:thumbsup:

 

[7snakes]

Well I got a measurement this evening on the upper slope of the hill. I'm sure there are some varibles that could give some error to my measurements. I took spyderlk's advise and set up a board with a downloaded protractor sitting on it. Set up a string for a plumb bob and came up with 21 degree -22 degrees. I am surprised as I felt sure it would come in around 30. I do think there are a couple of spots that are a little steeper-enough that I started up and didn't feel feel comfortable trying so I backed back down that section. At any rate , I got it hogged but hope I don't need to do it too many times this summer. It had a lot of honey locust, cherry,catalpa, and multiflora with a year's head start on me last year. Mowed it frequently and this year it was definitely under better control when I cut it the other day. Thanks to everyone's responses.

 

[breslerconstruction]

Your plumb bob doesn't go through the centerline of your protractor. If it did it would read 18 degrees.