Traction Handling a steep slope

[RBA50]

Maybe consider a four wheel wagon and a long chain. Yes, you will have to hand load the wagon, but you can keep the tractor up on the high ground.

 

[Junguda]

Beautiful property... sounds like you’ve got the answer (don’t do it)... the wagon, cable, burn it are all great suggestions... we’ve tried them all but we’ve never used our tractor to do “shoreline management”... the erosion issue with rutted water channels is a great comment above... we’ve used the boat to drag logs over to a duck blind island... but we are trending toward a “work with nature” approach... as opposed to conquering it... we tried... it won...

Good luck...!

 

[two_bit_score]

Is there any reason not to burn it in place?

 

[deezler]

If it were my property, I would not be able to resist carving in a tractor-able "road" down to the dock. IE, bench-cut in a sloping path. A tooth bar on your loader bucket and a sturdy box blade should be able to get the job done.

Hard to tell from the pic if there enough room between the big tree and the boulder to carve a path through like so:

 

[mswlogo]

Thats a great idea. Ideally I want to put some sort of switch back path in. Gentle enough for an electric golf cart. And maybe still wide enough for the tractor. There are some nice properties near by that have done that. Probably cost a fortune and a lot of permits. But that is a ways in the future. But I like how you took advantage of all that width.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Thats a great idea. Ideally I want to put some sort of switch back path in. Gentle enough for an electric golf cart. And maybe still wide enough for the tractor. There are some nice properties near by that have done that. Probably cost a fortune and a lot of permits. But that is a ways in the future. But I like how you took advantage of all that width.

I've done lots of hillside work and cuts with Kubota tractors but I've also paid for someone else with the proper (Tilting blade) dozer, excavators to do some side hill cuts so I can use them with my tractors and RTVs. A tracked dozer can safely cut a flat path/road/drive across a hillside in short and safe order and how much is body and or machine damage worth.

 

[deezler]

Thats a great idea. Ideally I want to put some sort of switch back path in. Gentle enough for an electric golf cart. And maybe still wide enough for the tractor. There are some nice properties near by that have done that. Probably cost a fortune and a lot of permits. But that is a ways in the future. But I like how you took advantage of all that width.

Hmmm, I would have never even thought to investigate obtaining a permit for a simple path in my own yard. I can certainly understand that any potential erosion or run-off could affect the lake water quality, so silt-fencing on the downhill side might be a responsible thing to do. But I would, you know, just start carving the path and see if anyone bothers you about it. I really doubt they would. Live free or die, right? Do you have a box blade? Get a piranha or other tooth-bar for your loader and have fun! The only cost will be some of your time.

 

[mswlogo]

There are strict rules near water edge (especially first 50ft). I cant even cut a tree without a permit and its doubtful they would grant it.

 

[JWR]

There are strict rules near water edge (especially first 50ft). I cant even cut a tree without a permit and its doubtful they would grant it.

The "critical area" rules here in Southern MD are like that and worse.[Salt water here, inlet from the Chesapeake Bay] No tree can be cut within 1000 ft of the water without a permit. Usually requires planting several trees and huge expense even if you get the permit. Some understandable, some idiotic. I built a wooden ramp down to our pier in similar circumstances to yours in order to be able to take my 4WD Kubota to/from the pier. Carefully placed such that I did not have to cut a single tree. Ours is a steeper/taller bank than yours as best as I can tell from your photo. I cannot tell from your photo where the water begins, whether you have any potential turrnaround space down closer to the water etc. Any chance of a picture from further out and maybe from the side look at the pier ?

 

[dragoneggs]

Permits aside... I think you could cut a path with a switch back or two. I have a steeper slope and have done pretty much exactly that with my BX25D and a Piranha tooth bar on the bucket. I will try to dig up some photos and post later.

Without a tilting boxblade or backblade it is difficult to cut the proper angled path across the slide slop unless you also mess with backhoe. I assume you don't have that on the back of your tractor. Also the switchbacks take a lot of room unless you don't mind a Y turn to negotiate it. I have one turn that I can go around without using reverse but it results in a steep section, and the other requires a Y turn.

 

[Jchonline]

I would use a backhoe or mini ex to clear out that brush and rocks up each stretch of that right side. Then use a UTV to haul stuff back and forth. As others have also mentioned, a nice long tow rope with a logging chain would work on dry wood as well. It if is rotten enough to break up, then it is decomposed enough to just let it waste away on the ground down there.

You could also burn the underbrush under controlled conditions (juniper lights up really well) or pull it out of the ground with tow rope/chain above.

 

[Diggin It]

My solution to the OP's problem would be to move to a place without ridiculous rules. It can be 10 minutes from the time I decide to cut a tree until it's down. No asking anyone for permission.

 

[Code54]

Maybe consider a four wheel wagon and a long chain. Yes, you will have to hand load the wagon, but you can keep the tractor up on the high ground.

I work on a lot of steep hills, some I cant run a tractor on but have to use a tracked mini Ex to crab down. Im my opinion I would go a little ways down, see if I can back up, if so a little farther, etc.... If you are getting stuck more to the wagon on a rope or chain. Pretty cheap and easy, plus 100% safe.

 

[Fuddy1952]

If it were my property, I would not be able to resist carving in a tractor-able "road" down to the dock. IE, bench-cut in a sloping path. A tooth bar on your loader bucket and a sturdy box blade should be able to get the job done.

Hard to tell from the pic if there enough room between the big tree and the boulder to carve a path through like so:

View attachment 658511

This has to be the best solution for you along with burning near the water. You have the B2320DT, it's your property, I'm not understanding the permits, permissions, etc. What purpose is having your tractor if you can't use it? Who's going to complain?
If you grade it nice, maybe put stone down, you have great access walking, taking a small boat down, etc.
I can't figure out...would police be called? A heavy fine?
If you just did a little at a time...who would be the wiser?

 

[Paul Thornton]

Anything within 50’ of the high water mark is limited to ensure the quality of the water body.

 

[Junguda]

Great conversation... but you’re getting two answers... 1) can it be done..... yes.... (with a dozer and mini-x). 2) should it be done... no... (erosion, permits, etc).... The rules discussion sounds like you don’t own the shoreline.... it’s that way on the lake in TN (also).... we own down to a specific elevation, that corresponds to the top of the dam... finally, it sounds like you haven’t lived there long (don’t know if logs are seasonal or every 10 years).... in TN it is seasonal... every winter and spring rains wash snag trees down and they wash into our cove.... (you might look at the property from Google Earth satellite and see whether logs are usually on your shoreline)... note if recently listed, the seller might have cleared the shoreline to make it more appealing.... Those rules that might upset you, you might find protect you and your property value.... when jimmy-joe wins the lottery and buys the lake house next to yours... and he parks 15 cars on “his property”... an RV by his dock... and Clear cuts all the trees so the rains wash all his topsoil... fertilizer... and round up into the lake.... you’re gonna like someone to enforce those rules... I don’t know how similar your situation is to ours in TN... so forgive me if I’ve assumed too much...

 

[mswlogo]

I have no issues with rules. I dont want my neighbors doing stupid things that could harm the water. Loons are nesting yards away. Thats why we bought it. Folks push the limits all the time doing a little at a time. Most are common sense, some go way to far. Ive been on the lake 34 years. Just moving from one spot to another. I will hire a pro to do better grading / switch back etc. thats to much work for me and to little experience in a sensitive area. Ive done tiny jobs near the water and made a mess. My tractor does have a tilting box blade. Both axis. My first task is to just clean up the dead wood. Before making major mods to the hill. 2nd might be a crank up dock. Dock is a mess. Then the hill. I think throwing the crap on a junky pontoon boat or towing a raft would be the easiest.

Watched a few view videos on tractors on steep slopes. They all looked way less steep than this. I can just see it now a wheel slips and starts loading up and now wont go up. My tractor has turf tires. And like someone said you might catch high rock and now your only assured of 1 wheel driving. That happens lot even on my old more level lot. But no big deal when its not on a slope.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

In Ky most all water is owned by the Corp of Engineers and they rarely allow any cutting or removal of any standing trees or for sure any type excavation on their property which is roughly 50' to 100' above water line. Someone mentioned just do it and that could and would bring a pretty stiff fine and they would find out if anything noticeable from water or adjoining property or property across the lake. Some men built condos on their property near me and pushed the dirt over the edge to open sight line to water. Going across the main Hwy bridge going west anyone can see this big section of land that's just dirt with condos at the top. I suspect that cost about $100,000 fine but maybe it was worth it in return of sales prices.
Owner can find out easily if they have access to do any modifications of shoreline and where their property rights end and begin. Usually everyone with water edge property knows or can find out.

 

[Paul Thornton]

Your dock looks like it is on a marsh, how about a picture of where you want to get to.

 

[mswlogo]

I only want to get down to that first large landing area. The long skinny dock does go over some soft ground. I dont plan to put tractor on that.