How to get more grip going up and down steep hills

JerryG · Aug 27, 2004

You don't belong here, as you don't have CUT
That is a little harsh. An one that likes, loves or even just want to know about tractors of an size are welcome here. The only major difference is the size of our toys.

LeRoi · Aug 27, 2004

" You don't belong here, as you don't have CUT " /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Did you miss the smiley face at the end of that sentece?

Henro · Aug 27, 2004

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. 

I think this is extreemly bad advice and I would not follow it. I would ask the poster to cite references to prove that NOT using a seat belt with a ROPS is statistically safer than using a seat belt. I doubt he could provide them.

One thing that puzzles me is that some here are saying that backing up a slope seems to work better for them than going up forward. I know from personal experience that it does not work that way for me. I can ALWAYS go up forward better than backwards...

I am not debating the fact that it is best to test a slope by backing up, and if you can not back up it is probably better not to go up it at all...but when the ground is moist or wet, sometimes a slope that I could back up when dry cannot be beaten unless I go up head first...

The worry about going up forward is a back flip...that is why it is best to back up and come down forward...at least that is my understanding...

You don't want to roll a tractor...especially on a hill where it could do multiple rotations....if one could be sure that he clould jump clear and let the tractor do its thing, I guess that would be preferred. But things happen so fast...if one stays within the safety zone defined by the ROPS (with the aid of the seatbelt), he is statistically in a better position to survive a roll over, from what I understand and from what is preached here in the US.

We all would like to think we could jump clear if a bad thing happens...but the reality of the matter is that those who do are probably just thrown clear and give themselves credit that they are not due.

Think it out, make your own decision, but don't follow bad advice, especially if you don't know it is bad.

That applies for what I have written as well as to the advice of the poster that I have replied to in this post...

KiotiJohn · Aug 27, 2004

( You don't belong here, as you don't have CUT
That is REAL tractor, 4WD. DT means "dopia trazzione" - all wheels drive. )
Actually, this would have been funnier if CUTs were the only tractors we discuss on the forum /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Such as those bigger SAME and Lamborghinis!
I've heard many times that the Goldoni is a great tractor.
As for the no seatbelt thingy, the only reason they're not used more in Europe is that it has not been against the law to leave off a seatbelt when there is ROPS installed.
They'll get there too as more and more people are killed by the ROPS when they are not held in in a turn over. John

KiotiJohn · Aug 28, 2004

One thing I'd like to comment on about "THE HILL" : I have NEVER been able to take a picture of a steep incline that it didn't look a whole lot tamer than in actuality.
I suspect that hill in Rox's pic is a real bear given the measurements she's posted on the pics.
Same with my early attempts at showing the difference in size of the CK20 and CK25/30. Just the right angle and you can get it, but never with the hills. John

ZJ_HR · Aug 28, 2004

Henro,
You missed something in my words. You can see that rollbar on picture is folded down, as it can't be up under trees.
About seat belt, I'm not sure. We haven't it there in new tractors, equipped with rollbars. ROPS are obligatory on all tractors purchased after 1986 here, as it is impossible to get registration without them.
It is not obligatory that it must be factory made, up to few years ago. Almost all newer tractors have cabs, so, ROPS are rare to see.
If I can choose, I will buy allways cage type rollbar (4 pipes), but in orchad it can't be usefull.

ZJ_HR · Aug 28, 2004

You don't belong here, as you don't have CUT 

This supposed be a joke!!!
I mean Goldoni look like CUT, but is not CUT.

Warning was because some of CUT owners can be jealous /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Me included - like Goldoni tractors and walkbehinds /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Egon · Aug 28, 2004

Henro:
I also have found going forward up hill is easier than backing up. Filling the bucket with stones helps a lot too.

Egon

rmorgan · Aug 28, 2004

My .02, I would never go forward up a steep slope with a loaded tank on the three-point hitch. Math ain't my long suit, but it sounds from the rise and run that rox is describing that the slope is +/- 36 degrees (approx. 9' rise in 25' run). I mow a dam which is about 33 degrees and I back up and drive down without a problem as long as it's dry, but it seems to me like the prospect of a wheelie with a very bad landing is 'way high driving up with the sprayer attached. Of course, a loaded FEL changes the dynamics considerably, but rox appears not to have one--and even then the the tank full of fluid seems like a major wild card.

rox · Aug 29, 2004

Badda Bing Badda Bang! This site it the BEST!! Look at all of you, everyone so willing to help out, it realy touches my heart. Tomorrow our olive farm consultant is coming over. Yes it is a she, Natalie, and she is a doll. Based on your suggestions I am going to ask her to drive up that one problem hill, although a couple other hills seem to me to be almost as bad. rmorgan, thanks for doing the math, even if it isn't your forte. I was feeling like pehaps we were kind of "pansies" since the pictures didn't appear to show it as such a big hill. So 36 degrees, that's a pretty big slope, right? I feel good knowing that you can understand this since you are driving up a 33 degree slope.
KiotiJohn, I knew you were joking by the /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif, problem is, I don't know what a CUT is, but thanks for trying to make me smile. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Y'all take so much for granted. It took me a heck of a long time to figure out what ROP's was. I finally figured it out, Roll Over Protection.
ZJ_HR- Does for sure our tractor have a front PTO? I figured out PTO pretty quick, thank you. Is it an option or does our tractor have this? Do you know?
Jerry G & Kensfarm & thanks so much for telling me about putting weight on the front end. It never even crossed our minds. See that is why I went here to all of you guys (gender neutral term of guys) I just knew that there were things we didn't know that others did know that could help us. I think before I fill the tires, [Micor Pilot thanks for sharing that an Ag Tire company can do it, and an idea of what you paid, and KiotiJohan you are Fantstic! for posting the info on tire Ballast]- this is stuff that is a HUGE help], I am going to read that info form KiotiJohn and try and figure it out.
#1 - Find the Seat Belt
#2 - Put weight on the front, we have plenty of cement blocks around her, pallots of them actually
#3 - Get better training!! Based on what y'all are posting, I wonder if my husband knows how to put in in 4WD /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. I bet he doesn't. When the consultant comes tomorrow spend some tractor time with her, and also head to the dealer where the tractor was purchased. The 10 minutes the Moroccan Farm worker gave my husband in training doesn't seem to be adequate. I bet he is not even using the 4WD!!!

After 1,2, & 3 then look at adjusting the tires, a wheel for the sprayer, or a winch.
Tracdoc- Many thanks for your post, I am so glad you said that our tractor is probably not going to do well on slopes. It is nice to know that it is the design of the tractor. We didn't know that until you posted. My husband was happy to hear your info when I told him.

Varmintmis- You cracked me up /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif when you wrote "Look at the front axel and see if you have a driveshaft going back to the transmission." HUH?????? I am saying this in a nice way a fun way. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The axel I could probaly figure out, becuase I know it connects the tires but after thaaaat......

Spiker- Differential locks????? What are differential locks? It sounds like something good, do all tractors have them??

Tracdoc, thanks for telling me that the best tractors to get up a slope are wide tractors and we have a narrow on. See it is not all in our mind, or by our inexperience, it is hard to get up that hill!! And never forget the Moraccan farm worker flipped it 3 times already. And he is 15 years younger than my husband, he can jump faster.

And MarkV WNS the PRIZE!!! We have a whole pallet full of concrete mix here. We also have a concret mixer. We have a truck load of gravel and a truck load of sand, and lots of rebarb (this farm came with tons of stuff) I suggested to my husband that we just concrete over the bad parts. So guess what? That is what we are going to do!!!
We will do 1-3 above and then read to info on tire ballast and after knowing what we are doing perhaps fill the tires (or not) and then I am going to become on expert on concrete. heck I have already mastered weed pulling, how hard can concrete be????

Seriously- to all of you who helped, and I hope I didn't leave a name out, if I did be assured I read- and re-read and re-read every word here, and form the bottom of my heart I thank you.
After the consultant comes tomorrow my husband starts spraying. I never had the nerve to watch, I was to afraid. Now armed with the info you have so kindly shared with me, I am going to watch and analyze because I know more than I did before I cam on this forum.
From the bottom of my heart, thanks /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif