Mowing New to Mowing & Brush Hogging Steep Slopes

[jdpotter]

I used the advice from all of you and tried cutting one of my steeper slopes, about 20 degrees. I went forward; straight up and down in 4WD with loader as low as possible. Brush/ground was dry. I was using my Frontier RC1048 which did a nice job. Never felt unsecure; no pucker factor at all.

Uncut area in pictures has no room at bottom, and is wet due to a spring that seeps water most of the time.

Girl is my one of my daughters (5' tall).

 

[prosperity]

Good photos - really can tell how steep it is!

I have some similar areas that I bush hog a couple times a year - once you do it once or twice, and get a good feeling of your machine on a certain slope, it feels better.

Glad you got it done safely.

 

[EddieWalker]

The pics really do a good job of showing the slope. I'm not sure if it's too steep to cut sideways or not, but it doesn't seem to matter, you got it done!!!

I started out bush hogging my place, but now I have a finish mower and it's allot easier. The finish mower doesn't put any weight on the tractor, so I can handle side slopes even better then before. AND I can mow in wetter areas wtihout getting stuck. I still get stuck all the time, but that's because I push it and I'm not very smart. hahaha

Thanks for the pics,
Eddie

 

[RoyJackson]

I used the advice from all of you and tried cutting one of my steeper slopes, about 20 degrees. I went forward; straight up and down in 4WD with loader as low as possible. Brush/ground was dry. I was using my Frontier RC1048 which did a nice job. Never felt unsecure; no pucker factor at all.

Uncut area in pictures has no room at bottom, and is wet due to a spring that seeps water most of the time.

Girl is my one of my daughters (5' tall).

Good pics!
As far as the uncut area, I'd try backing down. I think that will work for you.
As far as the wet area...as long as you go slow (low range, 4WD), I think you'd be OK. As written in my first response, wet grass is slick. However, go slow enough so the worst case is a tow up slope (rather then a runaway slide). Might be worth giving it a try...

 

[RobJ]

Good pics!
As far as the uncut area, I'd try backing down.

backing down still seems real unnatural to me. still don't see what backing down will do for ya.

 

[RoyJackson]

176

backing down still seems real unnatural to me. still don't see what backing down will do for ya.

If you don't have a turnaround area at the bottom of the slope, it works quite well. I do it everytime I mow...but although my slope is steep (>20°), it's not long (maybe twice the length of the tractor/RFM combination) or too wide (60-70 feet). The most important thing is to go slow enough for an easy stop...going up is easy.

 

[SPYDERLK]

backing down still seems real unnatural to me. still don't see what backing down will do for ya.

It keeps the AGs pulling in the correct direction for high traction. If you have to back back up a soft wet hill with the ags facing wrong you can quickly get compromised.

larry​

 

[skidoo]

It keeps the AGs pulling in the correct direction for high traction. If you have to back back up a soft wet hill with the ags facing wrong you can quickly get compromised.

larry​

Backing down can be fine and easier to cut first with shallower slopes. But watch out with the degree of slope! As the slope approaches 30+ degrees, my 2520 looses hydro and I'm left with only the brakes. For the steep stuff, I will only go down forward now. The hydro stays intact and it can back up up hill better until the traction is lost.

 

[RoyJackson]

Backing down can be fine and easier to cut first with shallower slopes. But watch out with the degree of slope! As the slope approaches 30+ degrees, my 2520 looses hydro and I'm left with only the brakes. For the steep stuff, I will only go down forward now. The hydro stays intact and it can back up up hill better until the traction is lost.

Never had that problem with my gear tranny 790.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Backing down can be fine and easier to cut first with shallower slopes. But watch out with the degree of slope! As the slope approaches 30+ degrees, my 2520 looses hydro and I'm left with only the brakes. For the steep stuff, I will only go down forward now. The hydro stays intact and it can back up up hill better until the traction is lost.

Wow. Bummer! Is it full of hydro? My BX1500 [hydro] will climb til it loses traction on AGs in 4wd with diff locked. Thats around 45 degrees. If yours is filled to the correct level when it does that I think you have grounds for serious complaint. That is dangerous.

larry​