Hillside Operation

Bird · Apr 17, 2000

The slope indicator came today and I promptly mounted it on the B2710. I have one small spot that I've been mowing very, very slowly ('cause I'm scared of it, even though it's only that steep for about 15 feet), so after I installed the slope indicator, I parked the tractor (no implement of any kind on either end) on that slope; 17 to 18 degrees. Then I got off and tried rocking the tractor by hand to see if I could tilt it over (very scientific study). Well, I couldn't turn it over, but I could get the rear wheel on the high side to lift just barely off the ground. So . . ., I concluded that it would probably survive a 20 degree slope, but we'll never know for sure, 'cause it sure ain't gonna happen with this old man on it.

Bird

Anonymous Poster · Apr 18, 2000

Bird-Ain't that there thing "SLICK"!! I have been around heavy equipment for 40 years, and even operated a coal fired steam powered derrick boat on the Ohio River. Have seen many attempts to indicate slope and pitch on all types of equipment, but nothing as simple and inexpensive. Again, I suggest anyone having questionable conditions should invest the 40 bucks. (www.tiltmeter.com)

Bird · Apr 18, 2000

Yeah, I think it's a pretty handy little gadget, and it only took 4 days to get it. The only thing I've operated with any kind of tilt indicator has been airplanes.

Bird

MChalkley · Apr 18, 2000

I told you guys almost a year ago that an engineer friend of mine had recommended this little gadget, and that it was great, but you wouldn't listen... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bird · Apr 18, 2000

Wasn't scared enough a year ago/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.

Bird

fredoroberts · Apr 18, 2000

This is the answer that I was looking for! Thank you Bird. .......and I like your science, I was thinking of doing the same thing for my personal tractor setup (B 2150 w/loader and box scraper), soils, etc.. I bought a meter from some outfit named Riecker which shows angles from 0-20 with no color coding (didn't want to mislead anyone I loan the tractor to), which based on what you found, will work just fine.

Thanks again!

Von · Apr 18, 2000

Bird, One question? What if you flipped over your tractor in your little experment? Would you stay to 15 deg. as your steepest angle? All kidding aside where did you mount this thing and does it read from side to side as well as foward/backward?

Von

Bird · Apr 18, 2000

Von, I was hoping if I got it up on two wheels, I could pull it back on all four without it going all the way over. I suppose if I'd had the front end loader on, with the bucket real low and/or the mower on the back with its weight down low, it would be a little less likely to roll over, but I intend to try to restrict my operation to 15 degrees anyway. The slope indicator came with a couple of mounting brackets and instructions for mounting on the hood, on the dash (if there's room), or elsewhere. I mounted mine to the frame under the front of the canopy. And it'll only show the slope side to side. To get a front to rear reading, I would have to mount another one on the side (which is a temptation for curiosity's sake, but I don't really feel that I need it). The model I (and the other guys) are using, the 7489C, cost $42.95 plus $4 shipping.

Bird

MChalkley · Apr 18, 2000

I mounted mine on my canopy where I can glance up and see it. It only reads side to side tilt when mounted that way - that's why I'm planning on getting another one to mount on the side so it'll measure front to back gradient.