Hill Question

Robert_in_NY · May 24, 2004

To expand on what Bob said, whenever you are going down a hill keep the tractor in a low range and never push in a clutch. Let the engine do the work and you can apply some brake pressure (keep the brakes locked so you can't hit one more then another and spin the machine). If you have a hydro then I do not know how it handles on hills as I have never used one but if it is a gear then please do not push in the clutch if you start to pick up speed going downhill. It will make matters much worse.

JerryT · May 24, 2004

I have a JD 4400 Hydro and routinely go up and down the backside of my dam. In some spots it gets to be 30 degrees. Never had a problem with the hydro in mid range. Highly recommend 4wd for this.

Bob_Skurka · May 24, 2004

Very good point about the brakes, and keeping them locked together! On a slope if you brake only one wheel you will flip the tractor. Mine are always locked together unless I have a specific reason to unlock them. I should not have taken that for granted as we each have different uses for our machines.

I suppose my earlier post should have read:
DECENDING: With a hydro, keep the tractor in LOW gear, do NOT push in the clutch, use BOTH brakes if braking is required, keep the implements low, do not even think about turning, make sure there are no ruts in your path.

CLIMBING: With a hydro, keep the tractor in LOW gear range because if you get stuck going up hill you will end up having to shift ranges and that will require locking your parking brake, depressing your clutch and shifting to LOW gear.

One of my tractors can climb my small slope in MID range if I don't have the bucket full or a heavy implement hanging on the back, the other tractor only has LOW or HIGH and can only assend in LOW. I make it a practice to climb only in LOW range simply because I know it will work safely with either machine, and because even with my larger tractor, there are times that MID range is not geared properly to climb (such as when I have a load).

KYFARMER · May 24, 2004

Find a local farmer and ask his advice.
It has been suggested that you keep the brakes locked together. If pedals are on different side I believe this is not possible. Also I live in a hilly area and I have never known a farmer who locked his brakes together. Most tractors, after awhile will require more pressure on one side than the other. Also, one side brake may be needed for steering or even traction.
Not saying anyone is wrong; just my ideas.

JerryG · May 24, 2004

Also I live in a hilly area and I have never known a farmer who locked his brakes together. Most tractors, after awhile will require more pressure on one side than the other. 
Different area do thing differently, I guess. Most tractor that I have worked on have the latch rusted, to where it is hard to unlatch. When they get to where, they are uneven, it is time for a brake adjustment.

Bob_Skurka · May 24, 2004

( one side brake may be needed for steering or even traction. )

I would agree with this for every area EXCEPT on a hillside. If I understood the original post properly, the question relates very specifically to safely climbing and decending a steep hill. I think using one brake to steer while decending a steep hill will almost guarantee a roll over and a good test of the seat belt and the ROPS.

JerryG · May 24, 2004

There are some times, that independent braking is beneficial on hill sides. I for one, have used it to prevent a roll over.

DAP · May 25, 2004

In my opinion, this is exactly what NOT TO DO. Slanting a road will do 2 things.

1. REDUCE the degree of tilt (generally a good thing in theory only)

2. INCREASE the risk of a roll over (generally a bad thing in actual practice)

Number 2 above should outweigh Number 1 above any day of the week. We're talkin tractors with generally a high center of gravity and an open operator's station. A pickup may be another story.

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Bird · May 25, 2004

Doug, either you misunderstood what he was saying or I'm misunderstanding what you're saying. Making a new road with a lesser angle or re-doing the existing road to make less of an angle would just make it that much easier and safer to travel on.

TOMDUALLY · May 26, 2004

The things in my mind don't always transfer down to my finger tips when making post. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif what I ment to say is build a road going at an angle up the face of the hill. while at the same time keeping the roadbed level side to side. Hope this makes it a little clearer.