Weight, Hills and Balance

[SPYDERLK]

Ever thought of a ballast box and a bucket of dirt on the loader?? why spend more money than you have too?

Wooden

The bucket or anything in it has the effect of unweighting the rears. Not good. All your stability comes from the rear.
larry

 

[BrierPatch]

Another reason 75% fill is recommended is to keep the slosh down and minimize the drag of the fluid in the tire. I have driven tractors with 50% fill and it can get sporting as the fluid sloshes back and forth.

Good point. Thanks. I guess I could try 50% and if it is too sloshy I could have more put in.

 

[kuboman]

Good point. Thanks. I guess I could try 50% and if it is too sloshy I could have more put in.

The point about corrosion is valid. If you are using calcium chloride I would strongly recommend either a 75% fill or tubing the tire.:thumbsup:

 

[whistlepig]

Be careful on the hills. When the tractor starts sliding down a hill the rear has a tendency to want to go down the hill first. Gravity is an unforgiving teacher. Sliding down a hill backwards is very unpleasant. The transition of the tractor switching from forwards to backwards during this sliding process is an even more unpleasant experience.

 

[BrierPatch]

Be careful on the hills. When the tractor starts sliding down a hill the rear has a tendency to want to go down the hill first. Gravity is an unforgiving teacher. Sliding down a hill backwards is very unpleasant. The transition of the tractor switching from forwards to backwards during this sliding process is an even more unpleasant experience.

:laughing: :thumbsup:

 

[kude]

I feel your pain X2.

I have a 2520 and mow 20 degree side hills. I have both the 62D and a 72 inch rear finish mower, but primarily use the RFM because I feel it delivers a better cut and it's easier to trim under trees, etc.

My property is so hilly that I have to mow in 4WD all the time. The RFM is heavy and tries to pull the rear of the machine sideways on the hills. I'm not complaining, just giving you some background as to my situation.

Anyway, although I knew I'd need ballast weight, I chose not to load the tires and went with wheel weights (the maximum 3 per side). I also keep the loader on (without the bucket) and feel that the extra weight helps.

The upshot of it is, it works, but just barely. The machine still slides sideways on the hills and will still break traction fairly easily if I'm not real careful. I haven't run my 62D in awhile, but didn't notice a lot of difference, other than less of a tendency to pull sideways.

On the plus side, I can report that the machine has always felt stable in this environment, however, I never let my guard down. On the steepest areas, I take it very slowly and am always ready to take corrective action if it acts like it's going to tip.

I have never tried carrying the weight box when using the belly mower, but it would probably help traction. However, I wouldn't want to carry a lot of weight behind the rear axle and nothing on the front. If/when I try it, I would probably have my loader frame on or suitcase weights on the front rack to keep the front end from getting light.

Generally speaking, I'm kind of leery about using the ballast box as weight for traction on hills because I think a good portion of the weight may wind up above the axle line, which isn't the best for stability.

I can't answer your questions except to say what I would do and there are many people on here who are more knowledgeable than me.

1. I have tried mowing with/without the loader and (at least with the RFM) I prefer to keep the loader on and drop the bucket off (for maneuverability).
2. Loading the tires is probably a good idea, however, I personally chose not to do so because I did not want to deal with the issue of losing the liquid when/if I got tire punctures.
3. As mentioned, I haven't tried the ballast box when mowing, but have given it some thought and would probably try it, but not with full weight. The way I have mine set up, I can vary the weight from 400 to 800 or so lbs and I would probably try running with the minimum amount in the box at first.

I dont' know if any of this helps, but the message is that you may need to experiment a little to see what works for you.

Incidentally, the picture on the left is on the 20 degree side slope, although it doesn't look that steep.

Wishing you the best of luck.

I would say having a 72 inch rear mount mower on a 2520 would be challenging on hills or ditches.

 

[pdp11]

This tractor was headed down a hill with clay soil that had just thawed and was slippery as snot. The tractor was carrying no load. The tires were not loaded. Once the back end started to slide around and the FEL clipped a small tree, the tractor got sideways and went over.

Nobody was hurt. The tractor was fine once it was righted. This is just one of those examples of how quickly things can go wrong.

 

[SPYDERLK]

This tractor was headed down a hill with clay soil that had just thawed and was slippery as snot. The tractor was carrying no load. The tires were not loaded. Once the back end started to slide around and the FEL clipped a small tree, the tractor got sideways and went over.

Nobody was hurt. The tractor was fine once it was righted. This is just one of those examples of how quickly things can go wrong.

Yes, they sure can. I hear about a lot of that kind of directional issue, esp with turfs and R4s. Was 4wd engaged?
larry

 

[wooden]

The bucket or anything in it has the effect of unweighting the rears. Not good. All your stability comes from the rear.
larry

I would think if you have about 400 lbs in the ballast box and a bucket of dirt , you would be well balanced, don't you?? the load will be behind the back wheels and in front of the front wheels, would it not? and the ballast box does not have to be lifted too high off the ground.

Wooden

 

[RoyJackson]

Ever thought of a ballast box and a bucket of dirt on the loader?? why spend more money than you have too?

Wooden

That would most likely put weight where you don't want it (too high up) and make the situation worse.

I normally run most of the mowing season with the loader off the tractor. If the loader is installed, I'll drop the bucket off.