TLB on slopes

[The Gardener]

BX24, B26, L39, M59 ...

I am curious:

At what % incline do these four TLB's become prone to a wheelie, or worse, when driving up hill perpendicular to the slope?

And, is the solution as simple as driving up the slope backwards?

 

[KeithInSpace]

Depends on the setup. My machine (exceedingly similar to a BX24) can handle what I would call a 30 degree slope before I personally don't go any futher, but that is without FEL and BH and with MMM and Bagger. I would go UP similar without a full load in the bagger (too rear-heavy...wants to pop front wheels in the air) and DOWN similar with 4WD engaged (braking in front wheels)

The attached pictures demonstrate the steepest part of my yard and about the limit of slope on which I feel comfortable on my machine. If I go STRAIGHT UP this slope with a full bagger, I can "skip" the front wheels on the ground with delicate treadle control. Going down isn't a problem.

With FEL and BH (no MMM), I don't feel comfortable going much steeper than, say 20 degrees. And that's probably pushing it. The COG is much higher with the FEL and BH installed.

Same deal with up and down, but it is amplified with a load in the FEL. From personal experience, it is NO JOKE to have 400+# of soil in the FEL bucket and lose traction on the rear wheels, sending you down the hill without complete control.

I would NOT consider putting my tractor, FEL AND BH installed, on the slope shown in the attached pictures. I carefully traverse up and down the slope, however, without any problem.

I have actually traversed a hill downward, backward, to make handling a heavy FEL load safer in particular instances. Generally speaking, though, I feel comfortable with 4WD going up and down most any slope.

 

[easygo]

A fried has a L4400 with the FEL and backhoe. The hoe is so heavy that he can pop a wheelie on any flat surface if he wants. Operating carefully I have seen him drive up and down 30 or so degree slopes.

 

[Charlesaf3]

my m59 is notably more stable than my B3030 sideways. Up down, you want the rear wheels uphill on any tractor

 

[rbargeron]

BX24, B26, L39, M59 ...

I am curious:

At what % incline do these four TLB's become prone to a wheelie, or worse, when driving up hill perpendicular to the slope?

And, is the solution as simple as driving up the slope backwards?

On my rig (similar to an L48) if the front lifts more than a couple feet the backhoe center pivot contacts the ground and acts as a limiter. With any backhoe there is a lot of weight up high affecting the machine's CG - so whatever direction you're going the machine is less stable than without the BH. Very little of my land is level - I'm in the habit of swinging the backhoe to the uphill side when traversing slopes. My front bucket is heavy enough that I've never wanted or needed to back up a slope.

 

[Charlesaf3]

using a backhoe as a balance bar helps a lot. But god forbid you forget what you did and go the other direction...

 

[The Gardener]

Up down, you want the rear wheels uphill on any tractor ...

This seems like a very simple application to follow as a rule of thumb.

Safety Question / Correct Procedure Requested

Please help me create a step-by-step procedure to back up an incline with a TLB, park, and excavate a partially exposed boulder from the lawn. I'll take a shot at listing a couple of steps in their correct order. Please re-arrange the steps/numbers and/or add other steps/numbers as needed.


[1] You back up an incline with a TLB

[2] turn the front bucket down and lower the FEL to the ground and elevate the front tires about 6" off the ground.

[3] lower the rear stabilizers and elevate the rear tires about 12" off the ground

[4] swivel the seat and begin the digging process

Digging completed ...

[5] raise and secure the backhoe boom

[6] raise the rear stabilizers and lower the rear tires back onto the ground and swivel the seat back around toward the driving position

[7] lower the front tires back onto the ground and raise the FEL and bucket off the ground

[8] drive back down the incline to flat ground or back up the incline to flat ground

?????

 

[Alt5600]

Good thread.

I plan to carve switch-backs up the hill toward the rear of my property with an L39 TLB. At this point, working on the slope is the only thing that concerns me.

 

[The Gardener]

I plan to carve switch-backs up the hill toward the rear of m property with an L39 TLB.

How?

That would seem to place you in harm's way throughout the entire project. If access to this area is worthy of switch-backs, perhaps it would be safer to rent a mini excavator for the weekend to make them. With your backhoe skills in place, you could maximize the rental time.

Just a thought ...

 

[Alt5600]

How?

I'm always open to suggestions. ALWAYS.

First of all, there appears to be some natural geological switch-backs that I intend to follow. I'd always keep the slope across the hill somewhat managable. Backing the L39 up and work with the backhoe, turn it around and scoop with the FEL, rinse, and repeat. This will be a very long slow process, and I'd be in no rush at all. At each end of the switch-back, I'd create a relatively flat area that I could turn the L39 around. Using a hydraulic-thumb, rocks (which I have plenty of) can be used to build-up the sides.

I'm probably just dreaming. We'll see.

 

[MarkV]

Up down, you want the rear wheels uphill on any tractor ...

This seems like a very simple application to follow as a rule of thumb.

Safety Question / Correct Procedure Requested

Please help me create a step-by-step procedure to back up an incline with a TLB, park, and excavate a partially exposed boulder from the lawn. I'll take a shot at listing a couple of steps in their correct order. Please re-arrange the steps/numbers and/or add other steps/numbers as needed.


[1] You back up an incline with a TLB

[2] turn the front bucket down and lower the FEL to the ground and elevate the front tires about 6" off the ground.

[3] lower the rear stabilizers and elevate the rear tires about 12" off the ground

[4] swivel the seat and begin the digging process

Digging completed ...

[5] raise and secure the backhoe boom

[6] raise the rear stabilizers and lower the rear tires back onto the ground and swivel the seat back around toward the driving position

[7] lower the front tires back onto the ground and raise the FEL and bucket off the ground

[8] drive back down the incline to flat ground or back up the incline to flat ground

?????

Seems like a good plan except I don't see the need to raise the tractor off the ground so much. I generally take the weight off the tires yet leave them in contact with the ground unless I need to level the tractor by raising one side. Adding liquid ballast to the tires will increase your stability on slopes considerable by off setting the higher center of gravity the backhoe creates.

MarkV

 

[Harry c]

Step #6; Swivel seat, assume driving position, tranny in gear, brakes on, then raise outriggers.

Ex-professional Backhoe Operator.

 

[The Gardener]

MarkV and Harry C,

Thank You !!!

I am going to print this out, laminate it, and keep it in the tool box as a constant reminder [when I get a TLB].

 

[Alt5600]

Adding liquid ballast to the tires will increase your stability on slopes considerable by off setting the higher center of gravity the backhoe creates.

Is it safe to assume that, in the absence of liquid-filled tires, added stability can be achieved with wheel-weights with the backhoe mounted?

 

[rbargeron]

Is it safe to assume that, in the absence of liquid-filled tires, added stability can be achieved with wheel-weights with the backhoe mounted?

The two methods are not equal. A typical wheel weight is 125lb centered at the axle. Liquid ballast can add much more and is centered below the axle. 17.5-24 tires hold 50+ gallons of calcium solution about 750lb each. Liquid tire filling chart here.

 

[Alt5600]

Thanks, rbargeron. I'm glad I asked the question ... thinking that it might not make much of a difference. I'm sure this topic is worthy of another thread.

I'd been thinking about getting wheel-weights that I can put on and take off relatively easily given how I intend to use the L39. I know they are heavy, but would rather have wheel-weights than an extra set of wheels or having liquid-filled tires all the time. I'll need to investigate the stability issue a bit more.

Thanks again.