Mowing Nervous about mowing this hill with my new BX1870

[AStanton]

Not to get off topic, but I'm curious about how the OP cleans the stack on his woodstove. Do you remove the cap and clean down or clean up from the firebox?
As for steep slopes, one of my tractor manuals recommends attacking them by going up and down. However, it recommends doing it in reverse. I'm also thinking, now that you have a machine, maybe you could construct a retaining wall or two on that slope and tame it.

 

[Gunksrocker]

Thanks! I clean the wood stove pipe through the clean out below.

 

[timswi]

Cutting grass with the FEL installed is more of a PITA than it's worth in my opinion...Just one more thing to watch out for...Plus the addition of the top side weight. I've cut 75% up my sand mound with my BX and it was always stable although I hit a pucker factor a few times...Up and down in 4x4 was never a problem. Don't remember the slope, but it's steep...Still getting used to crossing the whole thing on my Z724 and it shows no sign of even thinking about tipping, although it will stand up on the rear wheels going up the hill in spots....just go slow, you'll figure out what you can do...These aren't like a garden tractor where you can sit on the fender and counter balance unless you go 400#+...Plus with the ROPS up, seatbelt is an absolute must.

I bought the Z724 because I got tired of removing the BH ad FEL every time I wanted to mow...Lazy I guess after 11 years of happy BX mowing.

 

[KYKub]

I have a lot that looks very similar to the OP. My Kubota G1900 never feels tippy, but my BX1860 does at times, especially with the FEL on. Rear 2" spacers helped.

Go slow. Ease up to the most worrisome areas and get off and try to tip the machine. I did this and was surprised that I couldn't lift the upper wheels off the ground. Not even close. Yet, sitting in the seat, it felt very tippy. Be careful, go slow, and get to know your ground and your machine. You "probably" are much safer than you think, but better to know from cautious experience than to play the probability game!

 

[civilian]

So my BX2230 has a metal cab on it, Sims I think. Does that cab change the stability for mowing or traveling on hills? I know it is better to go up and down a hill instead across the hill. But does the cab have the same results as a FEL? Just wondering. Thanks, Jon

 

[aczlan]

So my BX2230 has a metal cab on it, Sims I think. Does that cab change the stability for mowing or traveling on hills? I know it is better to go up and down a hill instead across the hill. But does the cab have the same results as a FEL? Just wondering. Thanks, Jon

That will raise the center of gravity and make it tippier just like a loader would.

Aaron Z

 

[Snowback]

Please be careful. It looks doable, BUT, if you have any divots, ruts or loose soil when turning around near top, or traversing at an angle then tipping can happen very quickly. Up and down no problem, side to side would require care.

I watched this video many times before mowing and moving dirt on any slopes. You can clearly see how the front axle pivot reacts to produce the weight transfer. Be safe and have fun!

 

[JWR]

Please be careful. It looks doable, BUT, if you have any divots, ruts or loose soil when turning around near top, or traversing at an angle then tipping can happen very quickly. Up and down no problem, side to side would require care.

I watched this video many times before mowing and moving dirt on any slopes. You can clearly see how the front axle pivot reacts to produce the weight transfer. Be safe and have fun!

I've seen that one live. The blue machine is used to demo rollover when hitting a hole on the downhill side every year at the PA Ag progress show just south of State College PA. Notice that they use a remote controlled tractor with wheels set way too narrow for use on steep ground. The guy in the background is using a cable type remote control. Point is well made however.

 

[flusher]

I've seen that one live. The blue machine is used to demo rollover when hitting a hole on the downhill side every year at the PA Ag progress show just south of State College PA. Notice that they use a remote controlled tractor with wheels set way too narrow for use on steep ground. The guy in the background is using a cable type remote control. Point is well made however.

Good demo showing how quickly a tractor can roll on an "easy" slope when the up-hill front tire hits a small bump. The only way to mitigate this problem is low center of gravity and wide wheel track--for example with my lowered 1964 Massey Ferguson 135 diesel.



Also, at times it's very difficult to shut off the diesel engine on a rolled tractor. The problem is that the upside down diesel engine will burn the engine oil as easily as diesel fuel. If that happens you can ruin the engine. Just Google "diesel engine runaway" to see what can happen. One method to stop a runaway is to stuff a towel in the air intake.

Good luck

 

[hillsandtrees]

I have some steep slopes. I find that backing up in 4WD without FEL and with belly mower allows me to get all the way up without ever feeling unstable.