kevin37b
Veteran Member
yOUR SKIVVIES will tell you .
How accurate is that? Amazing at how many things phone apps can replace. Not that I would build a house with one, but I might hang a picture with one.

yOUR SKIVVIES will tell you .

yOUR SKIVVIES will tell you .
Since joining I've seen a few comments on slopes so today I decide to check a few of the slopes I drive on nearly a daily bases. There is one I have to have something in the front bucket to keep the front wheels on the ground but it's been raining so I never checked it out to see the max. slope the tractor will climb.A couple are my driveway and a few of trails that I use there are approx. 5 miles of trails 70% are just slight grade to med. so this is only a small sample.
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When working on these hill sides there's a good chance you won't get a second chance if your careless & you should get to know your tractor very well before tackling steep slopes. In some of the open areas I'm able to log without trails.
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So you regularly work your CK27 on those steep slopes with turf tires?
Not me. I'd use the setup that I had on my 1964 MF135 diesel.
View attachment 445897View attachment 445898
The rears are 18.4-16 ag tires (16" dia rims) filled 2/3 with water (no freezing problem here in the North Sacramento Valley). The front axle spindles have been shortened to keep the tractor level. The rears on my 135 are worn so if I had to work on steep slopes I'd get new rubber. And, since the 135 is not the best choice for FEL work (weak front axle), I'd step up to a MF150 or MF165 and a 5-ft wide bucket.
One other thing I like about these old MF tractors is their inherently low center of gravity, which is what you want for work on steep slopes. They are straddle tractors that you ride like a horse with your legs straddling the transmission. Your CK27 is a platform tractor with your feet on the floorboard that's attached above the transmission--higher CG.
Good luck and be careful out there.
Due to reading this thread, I downloaded an app and even put it to use today. I couldn't take a picture of the reading, as it's on the same phone I used to take the picture. Said 20°, barn in the background gives a reasonable 'level' perspective.
I was surprised the angle was so low, my seat-of-the-pants-o-meter though it was closer to 30°. This sidehill is at the edge of my comfort zone, although I've been on steeper, just uncomfortable! Quite steeper, actually, likely in the 30-35° range. As I get the chance I will check some other steep places I've been able to climb.