sidehilling with 2320?

[jcv]

I'm wondering what angle this tractor will handle before it tips over? I have a small hill in my backyard and I have no idea if I can do it or not. Years ago on my little lawn tractor, I could feel if I was at too much of an angle... and I could lean my body to compensate. With the 2320, I doubt I will feel it tipping and I know I won't be able to do anything about it before it goes! How do you tell if it too much of an angle?

Thanks
Jay

 

[RoyJackson]

If you think it's too much, it probably is...
If you do try it, make sure your ROPS is up and your seatbelt is used.

You can get a tiltmeter...but that's a guide only. Does help though, IMHO.

 

[ddivinia]

If you think it's too much, it probably is...
If you do try it, make sure your ROPS is up and your seatbelt is used.

You can get a tiltmeter...but that's a guide only. Does help though, IMHO.

Agreed, ROPS and seatbelt.

Now, I have to say the tractor might do a lot more than you think. I bought a tilt meter off the site there and that is when I realize it just felt bad. Now it is just right. You have to explore the limits of your rig. It can really suck if you go over the limits.

D.

 

[ChuckinNH]

It's funny, I noticed a big difference in stability by going to just a little heavier, and wider garden tractor, and noticed yet another gain when I drove my Simplicity Legacy, and Kubota BX22 in the same places, with the heavier, but not wider BX feeling more stable. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how stable a 2320 will feel, especially with loaded turfs compared to your rider..... even though it is somewhat higher.

 

[EdC]

jcv

I have loaded R4s on my 2320 and it is pretty stable. While I do try to avoid side-hilling there have been a few times where it just had to be done and the tractor was very stable. I was NOT mowing but using the FEL to move rocks and I did keep the bucket as low as I could.

Anyway to approach going straight up and down the slope then gradually change the direction so you are going down (or up) the slope at an angle? That way you can kind of sneak up on the tractor's limits.

Definitely ROPS and a cranked tight seatbelt.

EDIT: Watch out for holes on the down slope side. Your tire goes in one and the balancing act changes quick!

 

[skidoo]

I have taken my 2520 with LX4 down the cut area in this picture. Only go up or down. Or, in this case, I will only go down forward from now one. When I tried going down backwards at one point, it was so steep that my hydro became unresponsive due to the angle and placement of the oil pickup. At the same point going down, it was much more responsive trying to back up the hill.

Also, near the bottom, I could not continue to the right, could not go straight due to the drop off near the driveway. I had to turn left across the slope. I reached a point where I was not comfortable, so I had my wife tie a rope from the ROPS to a tree while I maneuvered to the left towards a less steep area and path to the driveway.

Even so, it feels much more stable than my Toro garden tractor.

Funny thing, I recently viewed the JD safety video that came with the JDX749. In that, JD states not to operate on any slope greater than 13 degrees. That is even more conservative than my first Craftsman 12.5 HP Lawn tractor which stated to not operate on any greater than 15 degrees. I am confident that the JD X749 is much more stable on slopes than that Craftsman. And I believe it to be significantly more stable than the 2520. So, JD is probably more Liability conscious.

 

[Chris2520]

Ya Skidoo , thats pretty steep to be going sideways....

Chris...

 

[Runner]

Skidoo - very interesting that you were able to find an actual number in the manual like that. I think most of the people on here have combed their manuals and can only find general statements like "Operation on slopes requires extra caution".

I operate my 2520 on sideslopes up to about 20 degrees. I do not have filled tires, but do have 120 lbs of wheel weights per side and a loader. The machine feels safe to me in those conditions, but I must also say that the slopes I'm working on are very smooth, no rocks, holes or stumps.

Also, I can say that I was absolutely scared to death the first time I went on those slopes, but now I have gotten used to it and no big deal. However, those are the maximum for me and there are steeper or rougher slopes on the property (along the creek bank, etc.) that I have no intention of trying.

I would NEVER go anywhere near these side slopes while using the loader or pallet forks.

For me, it was a process of approaching the slope VERY slowly (rops up, seatbelt tight) and literally creeping along until I had a good feeling about the situation. Once I became more confident, the speed increased slightly, but I still crawl on the slopes compared to the normal mowing speed.

One more thing, just my opinion, but it makes sense to me that these machines probably handle side slopes better with mid mount mowers than rear finish mowers, simply because you have the weight of the deck suspended in the middle of the machine, below the axle line, as opposed to being towed along in back and providing, generally, nothing to the stability.

 

[RoyJackson]

It's funny, I noticed a big difference in stability by going to just a little heavier, and wider garden tractor, and noticed yet another gain when I drove my Simplicity Legacy, and Kubota BX22 in the same places, with the heavier, but not wider BX feeling more stable. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by how stable a 2320 will feel, especially with loaded turfs compared to your rider..... even though it is somewhat higher.

I noticed the same thing when I first operated my 790 across side slopes. Those bigger filled tires (bigger meaning larger then my old 670's tires) really reduced the sway I felt when mowing with my 670.

 

[4720 OWNER]

Agreed, ROPS and seatbelt.

Now, I have to say the tractor might do a lot more than you think. I bought a tilt meter off the site there and that is when I realize it just felt bad. Now it is just right. You have to explore the limits of your rig. It can really suck if you go over the limits.

D.

The side to side can really mess with your inner ears. Riding a motorcycle try it some time without tilting your head, really puts a rush on. If i start getting to freaked, have tried turning my head to the side, seems to help sometimes. Thinking about the center of gravity when trying to move a load can put some science into it. Your head just cannot take in all the input of falling over in a tractor, just happens too fast. Remember once moving round bales and looking over sideways and was surprised to see the ground coming up fast, did not tip over but left a real bad taste in my mouth. Not to mention an interesting laundry day!! Little ford tractor that to this day do not like to use, just does not feel right.

Had a similar feeling the other day blading snow and hit a frozen rock and the tractor skidded to the side a bit. Blading is a lot slower now. Steep learning curve.