Tractor and Slopes

[Billrog]

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.






Took this pic. so you could see it's actually a trail.

The trails in this area I cleaned up to use from horse logging around 1945.

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.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Wow, those are some serious slopes! Be careful. That looks like a perfect place for a Ventrac or Steiner.

 

[stuckmotor]

A digital level! I was expecting a protractor and a plumb bob.

 

[Gordon Gould]

That's a interesting thing to do. Lets you see where you fit in. I like your % angle meter. I just have a clinometer on my compass. Works like a plump bob against an angle gauge. It is only 4" long so not to accurate maybe the way I just hold it up and sight along the slope. I never thought of just putting it down on the floor boards...DUH.
You have some steep ground there.

gg

 

[Xfaxman]

When it comes to slopes I can relate to degrees better than percent of grade.

Here is a chart that helps visualize the slope.

Here is my wife's Toolcat with the 7' brush hog on the front, on a 50% side slope.

Note the body lean compared to the tops of the tires.

 

[Citydude]

If you have a smart phone, there is an app,,

 

[Xfaxman]

If you have a smart phone, there is an app,,

I don't understand the display of 25 degrees? The red pointer is on 15 degrees and that looks right.

 

[Citydude]

I don't understand the display of 25 degrees? The red pointer is on 15 degrees and that looks right. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/owning-operating/445755-tractor-slopes-degrees-jpg"/>

It's hard to tell from the crumby picture, but the display number is percent, the red pointer is referencing degrees.

 

[Citydude]

It's hard to tell from the crumby picture, but the display number is percent, the red pointer is referencing degrees.

Here is better pic.

 

[Xfaxman]

Ok. :thumbsup:

 

[mikes1165]

I mounted a lev-o-gage on my dash so I could check anytime while running on slope.

 

[CalG]

I mounted a lev-o-gage on my dash so I could check anytime while running on slope.

does the lev-o-gage tell you anything while going up or down slope?

 

[Xfaxman]

does the lev-o-gage tell you anything while going up or down slope?

This type does.

 

[streamin]

I get the measuring but how do we know what is safe and the max amount we can go?

 

[jenkinsph]

I get the measuring but how do we know what is safe and the max amount we can go?

I don't know about others but I have sensors in my butt that determine how far I will go.

 

[Billrog]

When the wheels on the high side start coming off the ground I know it's to steep.

 

[Bota4me]

When the wheels on the high side start coming off the ground I know it's to steep.

when the wheels on the low side lift up i know its too steep also)

 

[Xfaxman]

when the wheels on the low side lift up i know its too steep also)

Yep, as in rolling down the hill! :laughing:

 

[TomSeller]

It's hard to tell from the crumby picture, but the display number is percent, the red pointer is referencing degrees.

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.

 

[TomSeller]

I don't know about others but I have sensors in my butt that determine how far I will go.

I do too and mine are set real low. I keep my loader dang near on the ground when I do have to go up a steep hill.