steepest slope

[Anonymous Poster]

I am wondering what is the steepest slope an L2600 4wd w/ag tires, can be driven across with a 5' brush-hog. I have been looking for some specs but can not find any.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Does anyone have any comment on this?

 

[rmcess]

han,
I have read quite a bit about this in the safety section of TBN.
I am using the advice I got there and on smooth land I do not exceed 15 degrees. On rough terrain I am even more conservative, If you hit a dip or a stump things can change quickly.
I also reccomend the use of a tilt meter. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tiltmeter.com/page2.html>R&B Mfg </A> is an excellent source for these.

 

[Harv]

Han -

I'm driving an L2500 4wd w/ag tires, and my property has plenty of slopes. Sounds like you're referring to side-to-side tilt, and the rule of thumb (conclusion from this board) is that 15 degrees is about the limit of reasonable safety.

Since we first had that discussion, about a year and a half ago, I have purchased a couple of tiltmeters from <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tiltmeter.com>R&B Manufacturing</A>, and I can vouch for the fact that 15 degrees is pretty high on my pucker meter.

I've only had it a few degrees past that a couple of times, and both were unintentional incidents. /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Keep in mind that there are other factors that must be taken into consideration besides just the slope. If you're carrying your cutter high, as when you're just transporting it, or if you have a FEL, especially with a load in it, your center of gravity is effectively raised, and you're just that much tippier. Likewise, soil conditions, wet grass, leaves 'n' such can cause you to lose your "footing" and start slipping downhill quite unexpectedly.

And no matter how safe the slope looks, keep that ROPS up and seatbelt fastened.

 

[Bird]

Han, I don't think you'll find any specs, and no one wants to tell you what the maximum is because if you try the maximum and then run over the smallest little rock, stick, or other bump on the high side, or a tiny dip or soft spot on the low side, things go downhill in a hurry. I think there is some kind of requirement that the bare tractor with no implements can stand 20 degrees. I've gotten mine to 18 degrees with no problem except to my nerves, but like the other guys, my personal limit is about 15 degrees and very slowly and carefully even then.

Call Rick at R&B Mfg., as has already been suggested. He's the best source of information on this topic that I know of. I have two tiltmeters on my tractor - side to side and front to rear.

 

[Harv]

Han -

I forgot to mention that I have my rear wheels set to maximum width on my L2500. I think there are 4 possible settings. The previous owner used it to pull an apple cart through orchards which were totally flat, so had the wheels set narrow. The broker I bought it through set them wide for me before I took delivery.

For stability, wider is better.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Harv,

How wide is the widest setting? outside of tire to outside of tire? How did they adjust?

 

[Harv]

Han -

There's about a hundred miles between me and my tractor right now, so I can't lay a tape measure on it. I'm pretty sure the outside measurement would be right around 5 feet. Here's a couple of <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/37-82475-WheelWidth.jpg>pictures</A> showing how it looked on the lot before I bought it, and another which is kind of a "candid" as it looks today. Using the taillights as a reference, you can get an idea of difference.

As for the details, maybe this excerpt from my owner's manual will help:

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks Harv.

Your pics really helped!

Unfortunatelly I found ou today that I will not be able to purchase the tractor. A large bid job did not come in so no tractor.

 

[Harv]

<font color=blue>A large bid job did not come in so no tractor</font color=blue>

Oh, man! That really bites, Han! /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

Let's hope an even bigger bid job comes along soon and lands in your lap.