How steep is too steep?

QwikDraw · Oct 13, 2008

I have to bid a job with 45 degree slopes on the back side of dikes.

Will the engine be OK if I mow straight up and down the slope? I am worried about the oil sump sucking air and cooking the motor?

This is rotary work not mulching.

TMTS · Oct 13, 2008

I've mowed some 45 deg slopes with the Fecon on the 4810...was only a short pitch- say 20 ft up...machine seemed fine- but not sure how you would be with a longer pitch...give the tech guys at ASV a call...I have them on speed dial...ask for Tom in service...he seems to know the Cat/perkins engines well.

QwikDraw · Oct 13, 2008

Thanks mate.

These slopes are 100 feet high +/- and I'll be on them for 2-3 days.

I will give Tom a call tomorrow.

I can't figure how to bid this one so I just pulled a number out of my...hat.

C.G.S. · Oct 13, 2008

If you had a mechinical oil pressure gauge you can see when the pump is starving for oil. I don't think I trust an idiot light for this application. We work grades of a little steeper then 2 to 1 with a dozer with out a problem but your getting to the limit of what even a dozer is going to like at 1 to 1 slope are you sure they are not closer to 2 to 1 most engineers are would not consider 1 to 1 stable. How are planning to get back to the top with out a winch tractor?

cbturf · Oct 13, 2008

I would have to agree. 100% slope is very very steep and a rubber track machine will struggle to climb that type of grade. I did some work on 50-60% slope in NM and my steel track crawler with single bar pads was scratching and clawing to work the material.