Hillside Operation

[Anonymous Poster]

Sorry to bring this up again for all of you regulars, but it seems that all the old discussion has been deleted. Just bought a B2150 and I have pretty hilly terrain to cover. The used tractor did not come with an owners manual and I am trying to figure out what the safe operating side slope grade is. Straight up and down is not an issue for me as sliding will be the first thing to happen. Log skidder operator mentioned 35 degrees (that is steep!) as their limit but am looking for input from compact T owners. My rig has a loader and box scraper (yes I am on the west coast) and my max slope is on the order of 25 degrees. That would be about 50% or 2:1. Maybe there is a comfort factor and a safe factor, my comfort factor is not to high so am hoping for a verifiable, but not litigable, safe factor.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

The experienced forrester in the previous post said 35% slope (not 35 degrees) which is slightly less than 20 degrees and is a useful guide. In many cases 20 degrees is too steep for safe operation. I recommend that you actually measure your slopes before starting out. You can get a simple carpenters pendulum protractor level at a hardware store for just a few dollars. Place it on a small (approximately 12 inch) square of plywood at various points on your slopes to check them out. It is not as easy to judge slope from a tractor set as you might think. I also use a slope indicator mounted on the front of the canopy on the tractor. (www.tiltmeter.com). In addition for slope operation, you want the wheel tread set to the widest position and stay in 4WD at all times. The 4WD provides braking from engine compression when traveling downhill. It goes without saying that you also want to carry any mounted equipment such as loaders, rear implement, or rear ballast boxes as low as practical when on the slopes.

 

[fredoroberts]

Thanks for your good comments Jack. Yea I thought 35 degrees was out there. Until I get more time under my belt on this tractor I will use 15 degrees as my max side slope operation angle. This is about 3.7:1 or 27% by my reckoning. I have a feeling that once I get my tiltmeter attached I won't want to go much over 10 degrees or 18% because of my own comfort factor.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I recently installed a tilt-o-meter on my B7300. As you can see with my user name, I live on a hill. My driveway averages 26% for about 1000 feet. The meter woke me up regarding safe operation. I reccomend that everyone spend the 40+ bucks and install one. I bought mine from R&B Mfg. at the website shown. They were great to deal with, and the meter is of simple, but creative quality design.

 

[Roy]

Hillybill;
I am interested in looking into the meter, but the url didn't come across with the post. Please repost the url for R&B. Thanks.

 

[Bird]

hillybill, which model did you buy, and why? I think I want one of those. And Roy, I found R&B Manufacturing via search engine at http://www.tiltmeter.com and requested their brochure.

Bird

 

[MChalkley]

Bird, a year ago or so, Jack recommended model #7489 to me, so after looking at their models, I bought it and have been very pleased with it. I'm thinking about getting the dual slope and tilt indicator (which isn't waterproof) and mounting it in a dry place under the canopy, though, not to replace the one I've got, but to give me a front-to-back indication of slope. Either that, or purchase a second #7489 to put on the side of the canopy. At any rate, I can't imagine a more useful or better made unit than the #7489. Very cheap insurance.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I live on 10(-) acres in western PA. Several miles north and west of Latrobe. I purchased the model 7489C tiltmeter and installed it on by B7300. Why?? Because on the property, I do not have a flat spot large enough for horse shoe pits. I have fluid in rears, suitcase wts. for front (120#'s) and a detachable frame weight I use on occasion (made from 4-30# dumbells). Average side slope for mowing is about 20%, and max I will mow with 54 inch belly is less than 30%. And I keep travel speed low to prevent wheel slip or jump (that is when you can get into trouble). I have about 38 years in the construction/engineering racket, and am never satisfied until I know the answers to questions in my mind. I have a setup in mind to find the ultimate tiping point for my rig-less mower deck. When I complete this , I will share. I spend many hours dreaming of what problems one might have with "flat ground", and some day hope to experience them!!

 

[Bird]

I decided not to wait on the brochure, with what you two say, and what I looked at on their web site, I just went ahead and ordered a 7489C this morning.

Bird

 

[Roy]

Thanks, Bird.