Rear Finish Mower Side slope mowing tips wanted

[lennyzx11]

Guys, I have a L3301 Kubota with Loader. I just picked up a LP 5 ft finish mower.
I have to mow a strip about 20 ft wide and 300 ft long on the side slope. It's too narrow to go up and down on. Slope is about 20 degrees with a small piece at 30.
I have my rears filled and set out to the max setting.

From experience out there,
Is it better to remove the FEL completely or fill it with rocks carried low to traverse this part of the yard?

 

[Xfaxman]

It might handle the 20 degree slope, but it will slide sideways or roll on the 30 degree part.

How did you measure the slope?

 

[TripleR]

Several old threads with mixed opinions, here are a couple:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/279095-mowing-slopes-tractor.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/199464-slopes-tractor-tilt.html

 

[number9L]

FEL OFF - completely - without question.

I mow slopes, several spots at 20-25+* indicated by onboard meter. I've got R1's filled (front & rear), set all the way out, wheel weights, an additional couple hundred pound added to bottom of tractor and 5" spacers on each side and an additional . My tractor crab walks (in 4wd) on the steeper parts. NO. WAY. I'd even try it with the FEL on.

....

 

[DJ54]

A rubber tired tractor can work on a 3:1 slope. Just make sure the grass is dry, and keep your loader as close to the ground as possible, and take your time going across. A slight divot, or bump can change the degree of angle pretty quick. If you happen to hit something like that slow, it's not much concern.

 

[Xfaxman]

A rubber tired tractor can work on a 3:1 slope. Just make sure the grass is dry, and keep your loader as close to the ground as possible, and take your time going across. A slight divot, or bump can change the degree of angle pretty quick. If you happen to hit something like that slow, it's not much concern.

Yep, but a 3:1 slope is only 18 degrees, not 20 or 30 like the OP asked about.

This is an 18 degree slope.

This is a 26.6 degree slope, very difficult to walk up or down.

 

[dickfoster]

I'm not much of a tractor guy yet but as a seasoned rock crawler I can tell you it has more to do with your CG or center of gravity than anything else. That is how much of your weight is down low to the ground and how much is higher up along with the track width and to a lesser extent the wheelbase for vertical angles. This is going to vary for all tractors and only you can know where you CG is therefore how much side slope you can get away with. This is why mowers designed specifically for mowing tasks have most of the weight down low to the ground and relatively wide foot prints.

Before buying them, check on whether or not spacers will void your factory warranty. Because of the extra leverage they apply, wheel spacers make life much harder for wheel bearings, spindles and such. As we stood there looking at the slopes on my property yesterday, I asked my dealer and he gave me the thumbs down saying it would impact the warranty.

You can go up and down on much more slope angle than you can sidehill.

 

[dickfoster]

"A rubber tired tractor can work on a 3:1 slope." Regardless of how many tractors you may have, this sounds like an overly general statement to me. For example, what does the tire material alone have to do with it? My guess is most of your tractors go nowhere and are sitting on level ground on display. Garage queens.

 

[Citydude]

All I can add as a former right of way mower, ag tiireswill provide more traction on side hills.

Also, concerning spacers, I used them. Never had a mechanical issue in 800 hours of use and I have 6" on each side. You dont see a lot of threads here concerning wheel spacers taking out bearings and axles.

 

[lennyzx11]

Thanks for all the info. And the past threads. I Tryed searching for them and everything came up.
I am considering spacers also. I could see the merits of both sides (FEL on or off) and have banged the bucket down to stop a lifting wheel before. I'll try it both ways within reason.
I found the slope angle by parking the tractor on the steep part. Before I adjusted the rears out per this group's suggestion.
I laid my IPhone angle finder vertical on the transmission cover there. It read 29.7 degrees.
I stepped off the tractor and pushed on the uphill side of the ROPS SLOWLY. The rear wheel easily lifted up.
I've since adjusted the rears to max. They are AG tread. I took my brush hog across that area the other day and it didn't seem as bad. These test were all with FEL on.
I'll pull the complete FEL and try it. And then put it back on to see.
Inquiring minds want to know. As much math as I see on here occasionally, I am curious on what the expected theoretical tipping posing would be.
I know that's not real life. Just wondering.

 

[dickfoster]

All I can add as a former right of way mower, ag tiireswill provide more traction on side hills.

Also, concerning spacers, I used them. Never had a mechanical issue in 800 hours of use and I have 6" on each side. You dont see a lot of threads here concerning wheel spacers taking out bearings and axles.

Yeah I know, was just repeating what my dealer said concerning the warranty. As far as the mechanical issues with spacers, it's simple physics and leverage. Been there a thousand times in off roading. You'd like to have the wheel loads applied as close to the centerline of the wheel as possible. It would be nice if they made the axles a bit wider but of course that affects maneuverability. Rear steer anyone?
BTW he not asking about traction as he is more concerned with winding up on his noggin. Traction has nothing to do with rolling and if anything narrow aspect, soft sided Ags would aggravate rolling over either turf tires or R4s.

 

[Citydude]

Wrong. Traction is very important on side slopes and ag tires are not soft sided. Been there.

 

[dickfoster]

You've got some really nice machines for working on slopes. All wheel steer? I think I might hate, err ah I mean envy you.

 

[dickfoster]

All the traction in the world isn't gonna do anyone much good when all the rubber is up in the air. LOL I've put enough machines back on their feet and know this to be an ironclad fact of life.

 

[bcp]

If you don't have narrow places...outriggers!



Bruce

 

[Citydude]

I had an L3400, 6' rotery cutter, 390# of suitcase weights on the front, loaded rears and 6" spacers per side while contracting for the city to mow water diversion ditches as well as right of ways.

 

[dickfoster]

If you don't have narrow places...outriggers!

View attachment 467620 View attachment 467621

Bruce

Wow, training wheels for everything.

 

[joefromga]

Just get one of these:

HusqHusqvarna robotic Automower

Works on slopes:


So you can rest:


Works with phone app.
Works at night because it's so quiet.

Has sort of a stump jumper type of blade with razor sharp blades.

Pretty amazing.

 

[dickfoster]

Best idea yet.

 

[joefromga]

If it wasn't 3500 for the top Model I'd get one.

I did have a robot vacuum for the house. Actually worked very well. Makes a random pattern but gets the whole area eventually.

The mower top Model uses bury wire and gps for accuracy. The video shows a sweet bury machine they just roll around the yard and obstacles.

The sad thing is you wouldn't take 2 hours a week to rest while it mows. You'd just end up doing some more work and being super tired.