Traction Would you operate on this hill?

[jesseb3@att.net]

James - what state are you in?

 

[Xfaxman]

Here is one way to show how steep the hill is in a picture.

 

[varmint]

No matter what you wind up doing, give strong consideration to some rear wheel spacers! You will be glad you did.

 

[KYDan]

I cautiously operate on 30 degree slopes regularly and always have the ROPS up and locked and use the seat belt. In your situation and with the BX I would really consider dual wheels on the rear. Use the differential brake to correct downhill drift unless you have counterweights on the front end. I prefer zero turns on these rather than a small tractor mower basically due to the lower CG.

 

[tcreeley]

Ventrac is the way to go-View attachment 418385

Ventrac Compact Tractors

 

[IslandTractor]

Power Trac is another articulating tractor to consider. There is a subforum here.

I wouldn't use a BX on that slope.

 

[Scooby074]

First I live on a hill too. My front yard in the steep parts is 22*, more in parts.

For your digging, rent a mini ex. They are way faster, stronger diggers anyways, let alone more sure footed.

You could mow what your slopes with a BX in 4wd. On the steepest parts you have to be very careful to not get side hill with an elevated load when using the loader. Straight up and down is OK. You should load your rear tires too.

The Ventrac as suggested would handle those slopes with ease in any direction, problem is it has a very limited loader. But as a slope mower it would stick like glue. There are lots of online vids.

 

[redman135]

See ClicDualWheels , they are a neat idea from switzerland . Dual wheel saftey on slopes and quick and easy to remove.

 

[Panik]

So I'm wondering if a Kubota is too top heavy and could tip easily trying to get to the areas in the yard I want to grade and move dirt and rock from.

The simple answer to your question is YES, from the appearance of your pictures, a bx could easily tip trying to get into some of the areas of your yard that you want to modify. I do say that with the understanding that pictures can be very deceiving.

I live on property that has mild to significant slopes. 2 years ago I was a complete tractor newb. There have been plenty of times I have made errors in judgement operating on my slopes that I have regretted. I am very very fortunate that I have been able to work my way out of these mistakes and not damage my tractor or injury myself.

I am not saying that a BX TLB cannot do the work, or even that you cannot perform the work safely. However I think you might be stacking the deck against the chances of success as a newer operator, on a hill with a tippier tractor.

If I am wrong in my assumptions, please accept my apologies. :thumbsup:

 

[Gary Fowler]

You really need to measure the slope to accurately assess the safety. Anything less than 25 degree slope could be mowed with a tractor albeit very slowly and with completely dry soil conditions. A zero turn mower would handle 30+ degree slopes with ease. They will start sliding before tipping over so you are pretty safe with regard to flipping them as long as you go slow and don't hit any holes or washout spots.
It is hard to tell what the actual slope is in your photos, but looking at the fence and the slope, I don't think you are more than 15 degrees.