Steep Slope Mowing Questions/Thoughts?

[crashz]

First - I have to apologize to those who have followed this thread. I went back and did the neighbor's field. It also had many challenges and I spent a good part of the day trying to do what the neighbor wanted. I was in such a focus on the work that I didn't remember the angle finder until I pulled away from the job. And at that point I was too tired and cranky to even look.

I've realized that I'm the limiting factor on steep slopes with my Kubota. and appreciate everyone's comments and advice.

 

[civilian]

First - I have to apologize to those who have followed this thread. I went back and did the neighbor's field. It also had many challenges and I spent a good part of the day trying to do what the neighbor wanted. I was in such a focus on the work that I didn't remember the angle finder until I pulled away from the job. And at that point I was too tired and cranky to even look.

I've realized that I'm the limiting factor on steep slopes with my Kubota. and appreciate everyone's comments and advice.

Tell the owners to fence the area and put a few goats in there. At least that what was suggested as a way to get rid of poison ivy. I react to it so I stay away from it. First time I walked through an area with it, I got it all over my legs. Wife went through same area and did not get any. Second time I got in it, I went to Dr's office and got a shot. It cleared up much faster. When building our house, along our drive looked like some poison ivy vines wrapped around some small trees. When the excavator was coming down the drive I told him to push them over. No way would I try to get rid of them. Did not want the wife dealing with them either. Excavator was a lot easier. Jon

 

[oosik]

I have my M6040 rear wheels set one notch short of the widest setting possible. M6040 comes with agricultural wheels - front & rear. I have one area with slope. I simply don't risk sidehill. I go straight up/down this area. Otherwise it's all relatively flat or vertical.

 

[JWR]

Different brand machine but the principles are the same. My MF2660 is a low profile model which helps and non-cab which also helps. My tires are out to 81.3" centerline spacing and run a little over 8' outer edge to outer edge. I studied the spacing options in the manual and I could go as much as 7.8" wider spacing. I chose not to do that when I bought it due to trailering issues and just awkwardness in storage, parking, maneuvering, etc. I've found the result VERY good for my case. I routinely mow slopes between 40% and 50% but not intentionally over that. I consider my configuration about as safe as you can reasonably get short of a VERY oddball tractor. Here are a couple of pictures of my width settings:

 

[rv7charlie]

Hi,

I'm late to this party, but might have a couple of useful suggestions. 1st, for angle measurement, I'd just use a magnetic base inclinometer. I've used one similar to this:
yangerous Slope Inclinometer Protractor Angle Finder, Tilt Level Meter Clinometer Gauge with Magnetic Base, Measuring Shapes and Corners - - Amazon.com
for all sorts of stuff since I was a 'big butt dish' satellite installer back in the '80s. Just stick it on a level spot on the tractor where you can see it. Next to the shifter works on my M4700.

FWIW, I've mowed a pond dam that spans my and my neighbors' properties for about 25 years. I started out totally paranoid about killing myself, on an old MF50 gas burner & 6' finish mower. I've been using the M4700 (fairly tall tractor), water in the rear tires, & a 7' finish mower, for many years. In the beginning, I'd mow straight down the dam, go to the end, across, and down. Took forever, and the dam is only about 125' long, at most. So I started doing it with diagonal cuts, which limits the lean angle quite a bit, and makes it quick/easy to steer directly downhill if it feels unstable. Gradually worked up the courage (stupidity?) to mow shallower angles until I was mowing horizontal strips. Been doing that for a couple of decades. I checked the angle this morning; it's about 25 degrees on the inclinometer. Steep enough that you need to hold on to stay in your seat, and the soil moisture content needs to be 'Goldilocks'; too wet or too dry and the tractor will slide sideways. But it's never felt close to tipping. I usually cut it in hi 1st gear.

I don't know if any of the above (except the inclinometer) would apply to your situation and equipment.

Charlie

 

[JWR]

Charlie, That inclinometer is cheating. Too easy. Your 25 degree slope works out to about a 47% slope, right on the edge of what I'd mow intentionally. Would not do it horizontally but your narrative points out -- that if you approach it incrementally, very carefully and train your self on a slope to know there are no holes and no sudden surprises you really can mow a much steeper place than you thought you could.

 

[crashz]

I mowed it again.

The poison ivy is getting better, but I still got it.

But the angles were interesting. The shallow parts were about 7 degrees and the steepest part was 26 degrees. Measured with my phone and the Theodolite app. Due to the dry weather, I had some difficulty getting up the steep parts of the slope without spinning. Even in 4wd with the diff locked.

 

[JWR]

I mowed it again.

...But the angles were interesting. The shallow parts were about 7 degrees and the steepest part was 26 degrees. Measured with my phone and the Theodolite app. Due to the dry weather, I had some difficulty getting up the steep parts of the slope without spinning. Even in 4wd with the diff locked.

Yep, agrees with my experience using a MF2660 4WD. View attachment 666065

I was mowing this 3 days ago on 9 August and the soil was just about perfect for traction. It measures 50% at the steepest part (not great picture) and in less ideal wet/dry conditions the tractor spins all 4 tires and I have had to back off it a few times. Your 26 degrees is quite close to a 50% slope.

By the way, if things are balanced right I get good pull out of all 4 wheels without use of the diff lock or wheel brakes and yet a few places have dug trenches with all 4. Not often thankfully because then you have to back down the slope and maintain control.