question about tilt and safety

[bellweather]

Forgive me is this subject is rethread...
I've read some posts about this subject and considered buying a tilt-meter but decided not to for a number of reasons. That said, I'd like some comment on the following question. I have a BX22 and my property is reasonably level except one hill which I need to mow. My plan is to place a spirit level (with angle gauge) on a cart, roll it out to the area in question, and take a reading. Can anyone tell me what is considered the maximum safe angle for the tractor with 54" belly mower, bucket/backhoe removed? (with the incline of the hill perp to the direction of travel). I'm not a big risk taker so my plan B is to mow this area with a push mower. Thanks

 

[MarkV]

Well there are a number a variables that make it hard to give a single answer to your question. In general, compact tractors are tested to 20 degrees on a static base. Then you have to take into consideration that unseen pot hole or ant hill which can get you fast. Then there is the given tractor itself. Your tractor has a lower profile plus the added weight of the belly mower for a lower center of gravity, a good thing. Tires with ballast also help lower the center of gravity, another good thing. Over the years I believe the general consensus on the forum has been that 15 degrees is about the point where the "pucker factor" comes into play for most of us. There are those who mow at a greater angle on a regular basis but it is not for me.

If you can mow your hill in an up and down fashion you can work a greater angle than traversing a side slope.

MarkV

 

[bellweather]

MarkV

Thanks for the reply. I'll check the angle and if it's greater than 15 degrees, I'll use plan B. As for mowing up/down hill, my concern is potential scalping at the crest of the hill.

 

[bx24d]

Depending on speed, turns, potholes, full raised fel, swinging rear implement, it can become quite easy to tip a tractor at 12 degrees. IMHO, when you're in the range of 10-20 degrees, the actual angle is not the most important variable. So if you measure a 12, 13, 14, 15, or more on your hill, it really doesn't matter. Don't waste your time with the protractor. You know its dangerous going out there and a 14 degree measurement shouldn't give you any more confidence than you already have. I admittedly pucker fast and that's a good thing I think. If you want to drive sideways on that hill, I suggest all the low ballast you can get and slow, deliberate driving with the seatbelt and rops in place to test her out. If you pucker, listen to it and back off. Then mow up and down and raise the mower so as not to scalp That night, you'll be eating your wife's dinner instead of hospital jello.

 

[bellweather]

Thanks for the good advice. I hate jello.

 

[VAMountains]

Thanks for the good advice. I hate jello.

Epic response. And bx24d's advice should be required reading for all new tractor owners.

 

[beckmurph]

Try mowing uphill with your FEL in place first. I can mow up an down steep hills with no problem, but the going around the hill on these BX's is a different matter.

 

[LBrown59]

Try mowing uphill with your FEL in place first. I can mow up an down steep hills with no problem, but
*going around the hill on these BX's is a different matter.

*There are sections of this slope I won't mow crossways with my BX23 but mowing them with the BX1500 is a piece of cake.

 

[SPYDERLK]

*There are sections of this slope I won't mow crossways with my BX23 but mowing them with the BX1500 is a piece of cake.

I have mowed up to 30degrees with no problem on a BX1500 fitted only with a MMM. All bets are off with a FEL fitted. That much weight shifted forward affects stability, not to mention the various adjustments that might be made with bucket or arm height to make it worse.
larry