Mowing Use Low Gear on hills!!

[The Haymaker]

Glad my tractor doesn't pop out of gear that easy. You pretty much have to be stopped with no load on the tranny to preselect.

Last year I watched my dad go for a wild ride over one of my slopes as he was helping me mow and forgot to lock in the front end. He was using the belly mower and had a 5' tiller on the back. I was surprised he was able to hold it straight because the rear end (equipped with turfs) was pretty well locked and the differential even had one tire spinning the wrong way. He did well to miss any big trees at the bottom.

Yep, my 4wd gets used a LOT!

 

[Glen Watkins]

I have mowed steep hills all my life with two wheel drive tractors. I bought my first 4WD tractor 5 years ago. I would never mow a dangerous hill in 4WD.

Ya the suspense is killing me on this one! Why not?

 

[9973720wb19]

with my JD 4720, i typically mow my hills in the mid B range so after reading this thread when it first came out i decided to mow in A low range (who mows hills fast anyway?) - i could definitely feel the difference in A - it was better and stronger breaking down down. my tractor did get a away from me once before (in 2wd which cured me from that mistake) on the same hill in B...the wheels started to skid as i stood on the break...i'll continue to use 4wd and A...!

 

[LBrown59]

Me too

Ya the suspense is killing me on this one! Why not?

 

[rekees4300]

I have mowed steep hills all my life with two wheel drive tractors. I bought my first 4WD tractor 5 years ago. I would never mow a dangerous hill in 4WD.

Famous last words.

 

[whistlepig]

I can steer with front tires that are rolling. I don't want to try to steer with front tires that are sliding. Don't even want to try it.

 

[SandburRanch]

I can steer with front tires that are rolling. I don't want to try to steer with front tires that are sliding. Don't even want to try it.

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That's what the guy thought that locked the rear wheels on his pickup truck with snow/ice on the ground and went through the intersection backwards when the traffic signal was red. Then it was determined the wheels with the least traction take the lead and anti lock brakes were developed.

 

[cantbeatadeere]

aaaaahhhh, I see whistlepigs point to an extent.....my own exp. still strongly suggests useing the 4x4, been on some VERY steep grades and have yet to see a tire even slip while in 4 wheel, never even tried 2 wheel on these hills...key is to prevent the slidding before it gets crazy.
also I agree with haymaker on the poping out of a range also, my 4710 will not budge with any kind of load on it....smaller utilities must be a little different.

 

[electrarc]

aaaaahhhh, I see whistlepigs point to an extent.....my own exp. still strongly suggests useing the 4x4, been on some VERY steep grades and have yet to see a tire even slip while in 4 wheel, never even tried 2 wheel on these hills...key is to prevent the slidding before it gets crazy.
also I agree with haymaker on the poping out of a range also, my 4710 will not budge with any kind of load on it....smaller utilities must be a little different.

Every situation is different and must be treated with caution. This photo is the dealer doing a demo on my farm after 3 days of good rain. Seconds after this photo the tractor slid sideways down the hill and never looked like rolling. Glad it was him. It only takes one mistake. Me I'm 4x4 all the way, loaded tires and weights front and rear.

 

[urbandeere2520]

.... also I agree with haymaker on the poping out of a range also, my 4710 will not budge with any kind of load on it....smaller utilities must be a little different.

Yep, on my 2520 it only takes a light tap on the gear selector to move it from High to Neutral while on the move and under load... must be different for the larger tractors. Sure wish JD would put some sort of positive lock mechanism on the gear selector, such as a push button, to avoid inadvertent gear changes.

 

[Glen Watkins]

When ever I am off road or a good lane-way it is very rare that I am ever in high range. And never around steep hills in high range and two wheel drive ever! There is some places that I mow side hill and am always ready when the tractor starts to slide sideways I quickly steer down hill and need the front wheels driving to pull the front end around! There is other places that I have to drive only straight up and down and if I am not in four wheel then I am sliding straight to the bottom. What size JD hydro's go from two speed to three speed tranny's? I was just thinking that when off road I am either in low or mid-range and not much chance of accidentally hitting it in to neutral because you have to pull up to go into neutral and high range.

 

[urbandeere2520]

...................What size JD hydro's go from two speed to three speed tranny's? I was just thinking that when off road I am either in low or mid-range and not much chance of accidentally hitting it in to neutral because you have to pull up to go into neutral and high range.

I don't know about three speed tranny's on JD tractors... but the reason this thread is titled "Mowing use low gear on hills" is because it's more difficult to accidentally knock the tractor (2520) from low to neutral (pulling motion), whereas it's much easier (as I discovered), to accidentally knock the tractor from high gear into neutral (pushing motion). To make my gear change situation more severe, I was on a steep slope at the time the gear selector was accidentally bumped into neutral.... what a ride!

 

[Glen Watkins]

I bet it was a hairy ride and that is why I asked the question! So I take it you have a two speed tranny and that you are in high because low range is too slow? Not trying to hijack your thread.

 

[alabama roughneck]

. Sure wish JD would put some sort of positive lock mechanism on the gear selector, such as a push button, to avoid inadvertent gear changes. [/QUOTE]

Yea thats what we need....another button to push while operating

 

[urbandeere2520]

. Sure wish JD would put some sort of positive lock mechanism on the gear selector, such as a push button, to avoid inadvertent gear changes.

Yea thats what we need....another button to push while operating[/QUOTE]

Yeah, a gear selector lock mechanism sure beats a run away tractor, loss of control, roll over and possible injury... but your mileage will vary!

 

[Hammsman]

There is always personal responsibilities we must accept in anything we do. Can't expect the world to always protect us from ourselves. If you need help with your gear problem, okay, solve it for yourself with a piece of rope or wire or whatever but don't inflict me with your problem to have to deal with. Sounds cold but not intended that way.

 

[RoyJackson]

My Ol' Man taught me many years ago...go down a grade in the same gear you'd drive up the grade.
Now, he was referring to trucks, but it's quite applicable here too.

We gear guys (especially non-synchro transmissions) are quite aware of the fact that downshifting is quite difficult going down a steep slope. You really need to select the proper gear before starting down the slope.
And stay off wet grass!!!!!!!

 

[Hammsman]

I appreciate people on this board pointing out things we need to be aware of and benefit from of which this is one. Merely pointing out whatever the piece of equipment is we must teach ourselves to operate it safely and we can't depend on the manufacturers to make equipment perfectly safe in all conditions of operation. I have seen and admired some guys doing things I would not even begin to do. I know and respect my limitations. Again, not intended to flame anyone so ease up.

 

[Henri88]

Word of wisdom. Thank you Roy!

 

[F1JOE]

Great topic!

You might find this in your Operator's Manual.

Under 'Operating'

CAUTION: Avoid injury! Use extra caution when driving on slopes. To increase traction and provide four-wheel braking, engage mechanical front wheel drive (MFWD) when driving on slopes. Be aware that MFWD can improve access to dangerously sloped terrain, thereby increasing the possibility of tipover.:thumbsup: