Traction Handling a steep slope

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Im probably leaning towards not doing it after researching after watching several videos discussing steep slopes and tractors. They labels slopes much less than mine as steep. I think the biggest risk is the tread loads up from one wheel spin and then your screwed.

But what I did learn is adding some load might be safer than no load. And it might be safest to back down and keep the bucket on the high side with the load.

 

[Diggin It]

Move it by hand away from the water. Let it dry in the Sun. Have a few lakeside campfires over the Summer.

 

[dragoneggs]

Com'n you flatlander guys! That slope looks tame compared to my 1.5 acres. If you are going straight up/down, no problem. Granted, I have HST on my BX but I routinely tackle those slopes and steeper. Have also cut several traverses and switchbacks too for more sane travel. Low and slow. Biggest problem is overloading your FEL so you lose the traction on the backend. Another reason why a heavy backhoe on board is an advantage. Not to mention you can swing the weight towards the slope while traversing.

Again, just be careful and get a feel. Low and slow and limit your front end load. No need to be playing with gears on a slope in my opinion. Did I say take your time? You will grin with the accomplishment. Oh and wheel spacers help with the pucker factor going sideways on a slant. Low and slow and weight on the back. I'll go now.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Make sure it's dry and blow the leaves off and go down slow. I had one gear drive and it was a B2320 and hated the gear drive using my tiller and implements so my one and only gear drive. Any way with a HST BX with bucket down near ground with bucket tilted ia bit ready to drop it to stop you if needed go down forward in turtle after walking it first to determine if you have any drop offs. Make sure you have something, pick up truck or tractor to hook chain or cable to the back to pull you back up if it won't do it under its own power. Could hook a chain or cable to back before going down just in case and if you get down with no issues then have some one hand pull the strap, chain, cable back up as you back up. Once you do it you'll know whether your up to doing it again. I'd rather go forward down and back back up if super steep but I believe traction will be better reversing my choice with backing down and driving straight back up. I've done some almost straight down and back ups many times and I've gotten in wet areas, caught on root or rock or loose dirt and had to pull my tractors, mowers and RTVs out before with one of my other Kubotas and a strap or chain. Just part of the adventure of hillsides and help to have a friend or grandson to drive the other vehicle that is pulling you out..

 

[The Deerslayer]

First off, beautiful place you have there :thumbsup:

To weigh in on your question; hard to say without actually walking the terrain. I tend to go conservative in these situations based on safety considerations as well as the potential to adversely effect the financial investment made in my tractor if things go sideways (figuratively or literally :laughing If it were me and I had any reservations at all, I would let the material dry and then burn.

 

[RalphVa]

I agree with Jeff. No way would I try to take a tractor down that slope. If the tractor was already down there, I MIGHT try going directly up that slope to the right. Never ever try going down a slope first. Certainly don't go across any slope unless it's very gentle.

Our whole back yard slopes quickly down the hill through some trees. Some areas are just too steep.

Ralph

 

[Paul Thornton]

Lakeside campfires for sure!

 

[ruffdog]

Many of the water front property around here looks like that. They normally make a zig-zag path from the bottom to top to lessen the steepness of the grade. I would make a path from the bottom right going around the bushes on the left, then go to the right of the house.

 

[shooterdon]

I would not attempt it. I am new to tractors and an old man (69). I can afford to find someone to do stuff that I am not comfortable with.

 

[ericm979]

Looking at the pic to the right between some trees looks better.

That's the only place I'd even consider it. The rest is too steep and has big rocks.
Keeping in mind that slopes always look gentler in pictures than they really are, even the path to the right is probably sketchy.

If it's steep enough the tractor will roll when the HST is in neutral position. It depends on the HST- my old Kubota would do it more readily than my Branson. If the brakes are on the same side as the HST pedals you have to figure out how to apply both at the same time.