Mowing Mowing Roadside Ditch?

[blount2000]

I recently relocated out in the country to a 10 acre piece of property. About 7 acres is flat pasture/fields and the other 3 acres is woods. I'm a new tractor owner (I'm new, not the tractor!), and I mow the pastures using a Ford 8n with a 5' bush-hog. Since everything I mow is flat, I haven't had any instances where I felt real nervous or anything.

However, last week I made a partial pass to cut along the ditch at the road (between my fence-line & where the county mows the roadside) and I did not like the feeling of it at all. The ditch is relatively smooth and is not super steep or anything, but the sensation of mowing "unlevel" kinda spooked me, so I elected to not mow the rest of the ditch.

I'm wondering if I was just being too cautious (i.e. scared), or is the "unlevel" sensation normal and is just something that people get used to the more they use a tractor?

 

[MMagis]

Without actually seeing the slope, no one can say for sure. A person does grow accustomed to hills with experience. Some people are scared to even drive down my driveway, where as I don’t even thing twice about it. But, there does come a point where it can become dangerous. I’m GUESSING you didn’t reach that point, you were just uncomfortable because it was new to you. But again, that’s just a guess.

 

[blount2000]

Thanks for the response. Below is a pic of the ditch. The county cuts the left side of the ditch (by the road), and you can see where I made one pass on the right side of the ditch. You can also see where I need to make another pass or two up to the fence line.

Maybe it just feels steeper than it really is.

 

[dave1949]

From the picture, it doesn't look all that steep. I assume your 8N has no ROPS or seat belt, that takes away from your safety.

If you go at it again, just remember to turn downhill if you think it is feeling tippy.

Better safe than busted up.
Dave.

 

[SandburRanch]

If you have a string level or a piece of lumber and a level, measure the rise over run and someone will be able to calculate the angle and possibly give you a more concrete answer as to the safety of that slope. Pictures are sometimes worth a 1000 words and we like them but in this case an angle number may be better.

 

[Wolfy]

Wheel weights or loaded rear tires does wonders for hillside stability. I mow my very hilly back yard with a Ford 1600, which is very close in size to a 8N. There is still scary moments, but I feel much better with the wheel weights.

 

[beenthere]

The 8N is about the best there is for slopes. I'd take it on that slope in the pic no problem. Still follow your seat instincts. Keep some 3 ph lift on the deck to take advantage of the mower weight and you will be fine. And the "turn downhill" is good to keep in mind. Using the individual brakes at the right time for traction works as the uphill wheel will slip/spin if there is too much tilt. Just if you have to use the uphill brake to stop a wheel, it is time to turn downhill (and it can be done) on the slope. If you keep traction, you don't have to worry about tipping over.

 

[JoeinTX]

From your pic, and assuming the angle doesn't appreciably steepen anymore than that, then I'd be fine with it.

I've done a lot of shredding on the 8n or NAA over the years and more often when cutting on a slope I've experienced a sensation of lateral, downhill slippage more than a concern about reaching a point at which the tractor might tip over.

My rule of thumb is that, when on a slope or angle, the point at which I don't feel I can control the tractor completely is the moment I know I'm working on something too steep or angled. With that said, as stated above everyone's internal danger meter is a little different so if you're not kosher with it then maybe it's not a good idea to force it.

 

[LBrown59]

I recently relocated out in the country to a 10 acre piece of property. About 7 acres is flat pasture/fields and the other 3 acres is woods. I'm a new tractor owner (I'm new, not the tractor!), and I mow the pastures using a Ford 8n with a 5' bush-hog. Since everything I mow is flat, I haven't had any instances where I felt real nervous or anything.

However, last week I made a partial pass to cut along the ditch at the road (between my fence-line & where the county mows the roadside) and I did not like the feeling of it at all. The ditch is relatively smooth and is not super steep or anything, but the sensation of mowing "unlevel" kinda spooked me, so I elected to not mow the rest of the ditch.

I'm wondering if I was just being too cautious (i.e. scared), or is the "unlevel" sensation normal and is just something that people get used to the more they use a tractor?

Stay on the safe side and let the county maintaine their own ditch!

 

[9973720wb19]

back the mower deck down the hill keeping the tractor on flat part - move over each pass until its done - i do this in a spot i have and it does not take that long - as you would think - i use a 60in brush deck

 

[SandburRanch]

My rule of thumb is that, when on a slope or angle, the point at which I don't feel I can control the tractor completely is the moment I know I'm working on something too steep or angled.

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Well said JoeinTX.

And to me that means if you can't feel comfortable turning the tractor up hill or have to use the brake(s) to control it you and your equipment are in jeopardy.

 

[TripleR]

Do you have your wheels set wide? Like others, I feel the 8N is very stable when set wide.

It is normal for new owners to be uncomfortable on slopes, heck I have been doing this for over 50 years and they still get my attention.

 

[teg]

Do you have your wheels set wide? Like others, I feel the 8N is very stable when set wide...

Do you have a photo of the rear tires on the 8N that you can post here??

 

[TripleR]

Do you have a photo of the rear tires on the 8N that you can post here??

All we have now is a NAA and two 600's. When growing up, we would adjust the width by swapping rear tires and extending the front axles depending on what we were doing. We had a rack that fit under the front and rear axles of the tractor then to the 3-point hitch so you could lift the whole tractor by raising the 3-point hitch.

 

[Baby Grand]

... The ditch is relatively smooth and is not super steep or anything, but the sensation of mowing "unlevel" kinda spooked me, so I elected to not mow the rest of the ditch.

I'm wondering if I was just being too cautious (i.e. scared), or is the "unlevel" sensation normal and is just something that people get used to the more they use a tractor?

Trust that "spooked" feeling - Use the Force, Luke. You probably made the right decision. I'm 4 years new to this tractor thing and still haven't got real used to being tipped at much of an angle. My machine is set up somewhat tall & narrow and any tilt reminds me with a weird feeling.

Any time you have a doubt, shut it down, get off and walk the slope. Pay special attention to any soft spots, ruts, dips, animal burrows, rocks that stick up, etc. It's not just the slope you have to worry about.
-Jim

 

[jdonovan]

Most states declare 3:1 slope as the limit for wheeled equipment to mow.
2:1 is the preferred design slope for new installations that mowed.

if its a 2:1 or less, you may just need some time to get used to some side slope work. If it is closer to 3:1 you might want to find another way to maintain it....
perhaps a sickle bar mower, or other kind of offsetting mower... perhaps a string trimmer if its not 1000's of feet.

 

[davygp38]

Trust that "spooked" feeling - Use the Force, Luke. You probably made the right decision. I'm 4 years new to this tractor thing and still haven't got real used to being tipped at much of an angle. My machine is set up somewhat tall & narrow and any tilt reminds me with a weird feeling.

Any time you have a doubt, shut it down, get off and walk the slope. Pay special attention to any soft spots, ruts, dips, animal burrows, rocks that stick up, etc. It's not just the slope you have to worry about.
-Jim

That slope looks ok to me. However I agree that if you feel spooked, it is better to step back, and regroup. Being to nervous can get you into trouble. I teach new Locomotive Engineers how to run trains from time to time, and the ones who are too nervous are the ones that scare me the most. If I were you, I would keep mowing your place with the 9N, and at some point you will get more experience, and feel much more comfortable trying that slope.:thumbsup:

 

[Army grunt]

It doesn't seem that bad from what I am looking at , but its you not me:::::::))))))))
Try cutting on a long angle instead of cutting with the slope. it may help get over the "spooks"
Sure hop you have some sorta of roll over bar , an or seat belt.Weighted tires will help alot.
**** I know have your wife do it
Army Grunt

 

[Gary Fowler]

THat slope looks easy to mow, but if you are concerned, straddle the center and make a pass then mow the rest. Unless there is some deep wash right in the center where the grass is hidding the bottom, it should not be a problem to mow. You might also try mowing it with a riding lawnmower with less wheelbase, the amount of tilt wont be as bad.
As suggested to measure the part with the deepest trench by laying a straight edge in the ditch then pulling a level line across it. Measure the full width of your tractor wheelbase and then if you have 2 feet of travel across for every 1 foot down you will be good> That should equate to 22.5 degrees slope which is easily mowed if you take it easy.

 

[Tenn_Blue]

Read this with interest as another newer member to tractors. I grew up in flat Florida, and never was on anything bigger than a riding mower. Moving to our hilly Tenn property, sitting on a taller tractor (compared to a car or riding mower - the only "feel" I could relate it to...), there were lots of places where I was sure the tractor was going to turn over any minute.

My wife, who grew up on a farm and driving tractors as a little girl, did most of our "more challenging" slopes for a while. But eventually, I got a better feel for what the tractor could do, and what to watch out for. I go over places I never would have gotten near when I first started.

But I think you have to trust your instinct and pucker factor for your own situation. As you get used to the tractor and how it feels, you will become more comfortable with what you can handle - and better understand what you need to stay away from. Until then, find a different way. Or get your wife to do it :thumbsup: