Mowing How much slope is too much?

[cjmt29]

I just recently purchased a Workmaster 75 4wd. This is the first tractor of this size I have operated. I am pulling an 8' bushhog. I did get the rear tires filled. They are not widened. I find myself getting very uneasy when mowing anything with a slope when trying to go across the slope. I see people cutting across slopes with 2wd tractors that are steeper than what I am cutting, but I do not feel comfortable. I have heard of folks getting killed in tractor accidents, since I was a kid and guess this plays a role in my fear. I am just looking for some general advice on cutting slopes and what this type of tractor is safe on. Thanks in advance.

 

[MHarryE]

No rule. It is tractor, slope and terrain dependent. It is also speed and driver dependent. In lawsuits I have presented calculation results showing a tractor should have been well within its safety margins when it rolled. Unfortunately I don't know of a stability control for tractors like they now have for cars that will assume control so if you feel uncomfortable, don't do it, at least until you put more hours on your tractor and get to know its limits.

 

[atgreene]

Make sure your wheels are set out, not necessarily to maximum, but wide enough to add some stability.

In my experience, if you tip over, it was too steep.

 

[LD1]

All slopes are different. And they are different everytime you mow.

You may mow the same slope for years and never come close to loosing it. Then next time, a ground hog could have dug a hole that your downhill tire drops in and over you go. Or running over the mound of dirt from the hole digging with the uphill tire.

You have an 8' mower, I would set the tires as wide as you can for starters. And only do what is comfortable. Until then, mow up and down the hill, but be sure to stay in 4wd, as that gives 4 wheel braking.

 

[green_rookie]

I was also in the same position a few years ago, new land owner, not far from you, with a tractor I had no experience with. Go slow, only do what's comfortable, backup to hit the high spots, fill the tires and get them all widened as much as possible, and stay in 4WD. I asked the dealer to widen mine and he did, except afterword I noticed the fronts were 1 setting from the furtherest. I fixed that and even that little bit helped. With seat time you'll feel more confortable just be careful and go slow.

Also, I still don't feel comfortable on some of my hills going across the slope so I go diagonal. I feel better doing that than straight up.

 

[rekees4300]

I am just looking for some general advice on cutting slopes

If possible avoid mowing across slopes. The safest way is to mow is with the front of your tractor pointed downhill.

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

Use your built in PUCKER FACTOR, if it feels dangerous it probably is.

 

[Wakey]

I was much more comfortable on the old Ford 8N. I found with it that the tires would break loose before it would start to tip.

Perhaps it was a false sense of security, I dunno.

With the new DK40 I sit much higher so there is more sway when the tractor goes over something uneven so I'm extremely cautious. I'm guessing that 8N had a lower center of gravity and might possibly be heavier.

WHat I started experimenting with is backing down towards the fence, on my ugliest slope using the brakes. I could feel them pulsing under a heavy load so next time I will try backing down the slope in reverse, using the low range.

Good idea?

 

[LD1]

Your dk40 weighs probably 1000# MORE. Thats without a loader. The 8n's were only around 2800#

 

[rekees4300]

Good idea?

Not a good idea if the weight of the mower is enough to lift the tractor's front end. If that's the case, consider front weights.