Mowing on slopes maximum angle before tip

[Bentrim]

In the 60's when I was helping dad we often worked hillsides that I often thought " who was the stupid ***** that bought this place for farming". Later learned my great, great , great grandfather purchased parts of it in 1867. No tractors then, horses didn't care. Dad later told me it was called Hillside Farm.
So what did I do when I had to work or mow the steepest parts? Yep 2 cylinder tricycle tractors !! I was very cautious, slowed down, keep the wheels as wide as possible and kept a sharp eye out for rocks on the upper side and holes on the lower side . One hill when it was needed to mow, set the wheels to max width. I often mowed the meadow with an AC G and would turn the wheels around so the were wide as possible. Even the JD 110 used to mow the "lawn" around the barn and outbuilding had a set of weights, wheels turned out and I sat on the upper fender. Never saw the dirty side, always kept the shiny side up. Just say I really hated plowing down on a steep hill, the lower tire was 8 inches lower in the furrow!!

 

[Hoho223]

I have to admit that I don’t have any hills in the sense we are talking about them. My tipping experiences are (FEL) load related.

 

[HayFarmer]

I have this scary field.

It drops 200 feet to the road. Ford 9600 no way, 5600 have to for baling, be very careful, 2810 is almost comfortable, but there are bumps and depressions that are still scary. The taller the tractor the sooner the COG is over the downhill tire, I find!

 

[dieselscout80]

I have several places with a 20 to 23 degree angle that I have sidehill to mow and that’s about as steep as I’d want with my equipment.

I’m sure that specialty equipment would do well with a steeper angle.

 

[John0829]

I have this scary field.

Gotta say that is one I would welcome cutting vs what I have or even my neighbors that I sometimes cut. One field steep enough you either wear a seat belt or put your feet on the dash of the tractor to stay in the seat. Although there has been a time or two the pucker factor took a pinch out of the seat pan. As long as the tractor keeps traction it is OK but if it slips then it skates to the bottom.

 

[Hay Dude]

Some steep property I mowed today….

 

[WranglerX]

On slopes I always go up the slope or down the slope never across the face of the slope....

 

[Hay Dude]

On slopes I always go up the slope or down the slope never across the face of the slope....

I go across hills unless I know I could tip. Going uphill/downhill can create ruts, which channel water, then turn into erosion trenches.

I know that contradicts all the engineers and perfectionists here, but I do this for a living. Customers don’t pay or change contractors when you tear-up their property.

I may do headlands up & down, but I connect the headlands by driving across wherever possible. Looks nice when it’s done.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Morning Guys,
Some excellent posts on here already! There are so many variables that go into this equation, it’s almost impossible to give someone a specific answer ! What I have determined though years of mowing on steeper slopes, I will try and mention here !
My property is steep, especially the lower part. I know others on here have stated they go cross slope, I do not, although I could on the higher elevation portion of my property ! For me it seems easier and faster to go up and down the slope !
I also keep my 6 ft FEL lower to the ground especially while making the turn at the bottom of the property! Also be aware of woodchuck holes if you have that critter on your property! They normally don’t last too long around here because of that, 22/250 !
I also bought an angle gage for my Massey, this is just a reminder for me, because I can usually feel the pucker factor before I see red or yellow on the gage !
I also have my rear wheels spaced out wider for more stability!
I’m sure there are others on here that have much more experience than me, but these are some things that have worked for me !
Not sure go slow or no go !

 

[Railroadman1]

in 74/75 I worked for the County main job mowing River Banks, Levies, & Lake Dams I dove an IH 565 gas, the had a 4000 ford, Rear Drive Tractors (4X4 would have been Great) Wheels turned Backwards to get Spacing Required to stay on Slope both pulling 15' mowers, for the most part worked well stayed on hill side Brake, Kept Carburetor on up side (if Carburetor down Flooding) ruff ground you slide down hill, to Wet or to Dry Sliding, we would turn up hill, Care should be taken or you find your Self in the Water!

 

[alpha&omega]

I have this scary field.View attachment 813737
It drops 200 feet to the road. Ford 9600 no way, 5600 have to for baling, be very careful, 2810 is almost comfortable, but there are bumps and depressions that are still scary. The taller the tractor the sooner the COG is over the downhill tire, I find!

That’s a cute hill compared to the ones @Hay Dude and I are mowing. Not trying to brag or pick on you in the least, just making the comment that it would be nicer to mow those kinds of hills than some of the madness I have to deal with. The ones in your photo are definitely sketchy when the grass is tall or if a guy didn’t know where the draws/depressions/saddles were located and started cutting across that them and caught a tire in the wrong rut. Serious pucker factor for you I can imagine.

I have several places with a 20 to 23 degree angle that I have sidehill to mow and that’s about as steep as I’d want with my equipment.

I’m sure that specialty equipment would do well with a steeper angle.

I have a couple spots that are seriously a 40° hill, difficult to walk up, let alone mow. You don’t ever consider a turn on that kind of slope, let alone cutting it if the grass isn’t completely dry.

 

[dieselscout80]

That’s a cute hill compared to the ones @Hay Dude and I are mowing. Not trying to brag or pick on you in the least, just making the comment that it would be nicer to mow those kinds of hills than some of the madness I have to deal with. The ones in your photo are definitely sketchy when the grass is tall or if a guy didn’t know where the draws/depressions/saddles were located and started cutting across that them and caught a tire in the wrong rut. Serious pucker factor for you I can imagine.

I have a couple spots that are seriously a 40° hill, difficult to walk up, let alone mow. You don’t ever consider a turn on that kind of slope, let alone cutting it if the grass isn’t completely dry.

I am lucky enough to be able to drive out of my slopes and turn on flatter ground.

 

[Eagle1]

I am lucky enough to be able to drive out of my slopes and turn on flatter ground.

I had to make my flat ground at the bottom of the dam to have a landing/turning strip.

 

[tracdoc]

Interesting thread. Lot to learn. I didn’t see any comments or suggestions regarding ballasting the tires for slope work. Would filling at less than half, like ~ 30-35% w/beet juice, etc. be helpful in terms of lowering the COG and improve safety on slopes

 

[alpha&omega]

Interesting thread. Lot to learn. I didn’t see any comments or suggestions regarding ballasting the tires for slope work. Would filling at less than half, like ~ 30-35% w/beet juice, etc. be helpful in terms of lowering the COG and improve safety on slopes

My rear tires are loaded with Rim Guard (Beet juice) and I use a rear discharge mower to help counter balance the weight of the cab & motor. I also use suitcase weights in the front when doing the steep areas. If I’m not mowing and the FEL is on the tractor, I remove the suitcases weights for the FEL and they go into the ballast box I have on the @$$ end.

I am lucky enough to be able to drive out of my slopes and turn on flatter ground.

Yeah there not much flat ground out here for turning around. One of the fields up top there is, and at the bottom of another one, but that’s about it other than the yard.

 

[HayFarmer]

That’s a cute hill compared to the ones @Hay Dude and I are mowing.

If it was any cuter, I wouldn't be on it! One tractor death in the family is enough. I wouldn't touch your slopes with anything bigger than a walk behind Trailblazer. You guys have bigger cajones than me!

 

[alpha&omega]

Condolences…that kind of thought would keep me off them as well. One of these days the wife will finally break down and buy me/us a Ventrac. But until then…

 

[tracdoc]

Being retired now, thankfully I don’t have to consider slope mowing, but if I did I would seriously consider the big, big brother to my Power-Trac to do serious slope mowing.

TSM Class

Compact Tractors, Slope Mowers, Articulated Tractors, Tractor Attachments, Trailer Packages

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I saw both of their slope mowers in action when I visited the factory in Tazewell, VA. Eye-popping awesome stability, w/ rating of 40* or 45*, depending upon model. Tilting seat, too

 

[alpha&omega]

Being retired now, thankfully I don’t have to consider slope mowing, but if I did I would seriously consider the big, big brother to my Power-Trac

I still think I’m a fan of the Ventrac more so than the Power-Trac.

Ventrac Compact Tractors & Attachments

Ventrac all-wheel drive compact tractors connect to over 30 commercial grade attachments in just minutes or less. Choose from mowers, power blowers, blades, rakes, brooms, scoops , and much more.

www.ventrac.com

 

[Rdrcr]

As an alternative to the more expensive commercial mowers on the market, I highly recommend the Cub Cadet Pro Z with 4 wheel steering.

I can safely and confidently mow 20-30 degrees hills and do so on a regular basis on my property.

Mike