How to get more grip going up and down steep hills

[KiotiJohn]

Rox, check out this article on filling tires for ballast. There is a lot of good information. You will need adobe acrobat reader to access the pages. John
Ballasting Tractor Tires

 

[tracdoc]

Rox,

As MicroPilot suggested, the Goldoni 3050 is 4-WD unit. They are sold in USA specifically for orchard and vineyard work. There is a big distributor on the East coast, whose name I can't recall at the moment. On the West coast, they are distributed and sold by Midvalley Goldoni in Stayton, OR. Their Goldoni website is:
Goldoni Star Series 3050 Specifications

There is a pic of the 3050 like yours, with a forward folding ROPS. Specs quote it as a 3-cyl diesel, 4-WD unit. While you are getting up to speed with the local Ag community, I would think Midvalley could help you (in English, too) with any questions you might have regarding the operation of your unit.

The track of the 3050 is listed in inches at the bottom of the page of specs. Of interest, the front and rear tracks ("M" and "N" in the diagrams at the bottom of the page) are just a tad over 4 feet. This somewhat narrow footprint was apparently engineered so that the tractor can do its work weaving through narrow sapces between trees in orchards. The downside is a lowered stability on slopes. The best wheeled slope tractors are W-I-D-E, often with "dually" wheels front and rear. Of course, you can't maneuver those through orchards or vineyards. Goldoni and other mfrs also sell vineyard/orchard caterpillar (track) tractors which have a lower center of gravity, and are thus somewhat more stable on the hills.

 

[SPIKER]

I agree with the others here so far, that appears to be a 4 whl drive tractor, not sure if it has a LOCKING dif or not? if it does make sure that the LOCK is engauged. with the sprayer on back lifted by the 3pt then you should back up for sure, put only the needed amount of spray in the tank. DON'T put the weeds on the slope unless you need a bit of errosion control, they will SLOW that but will also SLIP under the wheels... (hardest spot for me to ever get out of was covered in weeds. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif ) I belive I could drive that slope with my tractor with out even being in 4wheel drive. adding 4whl and LOW gear I could pull up a lot of weight, (I have FEL which keeps more weight on the fornt end so DRIVING UP is better for me) but IF it had a full spray tank ON the 3pt then driving backwards would be smart way.

Also I did not see a ROPS, (roll Over Protection) on you're tractor, may be a WISE add on to buy a folding one.! better choice than the tracks. that PATH is twisty, so I don't think the tracks would help ut a lot as I'm not sure HOW you would steer with them!?!? not to mention 4 grands is a LOT of $...


I would be willing to BET he has been trying ot drive the slope with out the 4wheel drive in or with out any DIFFERENCIAL LOCKS ON. I still belive that that would be traversable with even a 2 wheel drive tractor though... LOOKS can be decieving though, but by the terrias photos the turns are probably what is slowing him down and keeping him form getting up and down as easy. adding FLUID I do not think will HELP, you have hundreds of pounds of spray attached to the 3pt now, (no wheels on sprayer so must be on the tractor 3pt.)

anyhow keep trying, getting some boards dug into the hill side is a NO-NO, may stop some water errosion but will also stop the tractor smooth traversing... not to mention if you get all the weight on one board for traction it is more likely to rip off the boards top under the wheel rather than tractor going up over the board... also wood si not much of a help for traction and is actually HARDER to et traction on than dirt. I thought the gravel idea may help, but it needs to be "SUCK INTO THE DIRT" and not just on top otherwise it acts like big marbles and will slip worse than just ON the dirt...

hope that helps besides I LIKE SHAPELY LEGS! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Mark M /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[MarkV]

I think the good news is that you do have a 4 wheel drive tractor. Now I wonder if you and your husband were given enough training by the pervious owner to know if it is in 4 wheel drive? If you were to contact the company or a local dealer you could get an owners manual, if you don’t have one, to make sure you are making the most of what you have. I know in my trips to Europe you see many tractors on the road going from field to field or to the market. In those situations you would disengage the 4 wheel drive for hard pavement. Is it possible that the tractor is not in 4 wheel drive?

MarkV

 

[RonR]

Based on the aggressive tread on the front tires, it appears to be 4WD to me.

I am not an expert viewing the slopes. If there were something to attach solidly to at the top, I think I'd invest in a powerful winch to mount on the front of the tractor. With the winch and the tractor gears, one should be able to reach the top.

I'd also go 1/2 or less on the sprayer to minimize weight.

 

[kensfarm]

W/ so much advice.. maybe a priority list.. take the simple steps first to insure safety.. and that the tractor is operating properly.

1. Safety first.. ROPS up.. Seat belt on.. you are operating on extreme terrain. If no seatbelt.. get one installed ASAP.

You said the tires just spin.. are the front wheels spinning.. if not it's not in 4WD..
2. 4WD - find out how to put the tractor in 4WD lock. Call a dealer that knows the tractor and find out.. order a user manuel.

The 3pt sprayer's weight will lift the front wheels up.. if the front tires are spinning.. you need weight on the front of the tractor.
3. Front weights - proper ballest (balance) will help the tractor deliver it's power to all 4 wheels.. plus it's a safety factor.

I don't think filling the rear tires will increase your traction going up hill.. you have plenty of weight w/ the sprayer on the 3pt.

If you go through the list and the rear tires are still spinning.. Henro's advice on tire chains would be my next choice. I wouldn't recomend the boards in the ground either. Hope this helps.. good luck!

 

[JerryG]

I think what you are experiencing is a ballast problem. You have a heavy suspended sprayer on the rear hitch and the front end wants to come up. If it was mine, this is what I would do. First I would put an idler wheel on the sprayer, so that the sprayer weight could be placed on the ground instead of carried completely on the tractor. A swiveling wheel such as on a rotary cutter would work really well for a sprayer like you have. Secondly, If the front of the tractor is still light going up the steep places, I would then invest in front weights to put on the front bumper. These two things should eliminate the problems that your husband is having. Another thing, try to get a manual for your tractor and read it completely, that way you will know if it is a 4wd or not and also how to use all of the tractor's systems properly. AND PLEASE put the ROPS up and GET a seat belt. None of use wants your husband hurt.

 

[ZJ_HR]

This IS foldable ROPS. This design is used in almost all vineyard/orchad tractors in Europe.
Seatbelts are not common in European tractors, so tractors, even new ones, are not equipped with them.
On these slopes there, don't use seatbelt and be ready to jump. Anyway, if tractor will roll over, it will stop in bottom of hill.

 

[ZJ_HR]

Rox,
You don't belong here, as you don't have CUT /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
That is REAL tractor, 4WD. DT means "dopia trazzione" - all wheels drive.
About slopes and sprayer - how many liter your sprayer has?
If is 200-300 liter, tank can be mounted in front of tractor, and pump and spray beams on the back.
This way you can have over 50% of weight on front axle, and will climb well.

 

[ZJ_HR]

This tractor can have front 3pt lift with PTO, or sprayer can be mounted on fixed consoles.