BX1870 and Slope Mowing

[BenRich]

I thought I would share these photos my wife took while I was mowing a slope near my sister's house. This area is normally mowed by my sister's (adult) son using a push mower... and generally takes him all day. I can get this total area finished in about 35 minutes.

Using four-wheel-drive in low range with the HST makes this a very very enjoyable experience. One feature of the HST that I love is that to completely stop the tractor all I need to do is to ease up on the forward/reverse lever... the machine comes to a complete stop (on this slope at least).

One friend has told me that doing this is very dangerous due to the possibility of the tractor flipping over. I believe it would have to be a much steeper slope for that to happen.

Ben

 

[ipz2222]

Add about 10 more degrees and you'll have the bank I have to mow with my bx. Love that 4wd and low gear.

 

[hodge]

Mowing the way you are, with the loader on the front and the mower on the ground, you aren't remotely going to flip. I mow steeper than that (I'm not one-upping your post, just stating that you can mow steeper grades safely), without a loader, and have complete confidence in the operation. Sidehilling would be a risk not worth taking.
I also appreciate, WHICH IS MY OWN OPINION AND IN NO WAY A DESIRE TO INCITE AN ARGUMENT, an HST when on a steep slope. Not only can I come to a stop without touching the brakes or sliding tires, but it is very easy to gently reverse direction. I can also mow faster when in thinner grass, and immediately slow down when encountering heavier grass. I, personally, without infringing on anyone elses feelings, appreciate my HST tractor.

 

[BenRich]

I also appreciate, WHICH IS MY OWN OPINION AND IN NO WAY A DESIRE TO INCITE AN ARGUMENT, an HST when on a steep slope. Not only can I come to a stop without touching the brakes or sliding tires, but it is very easy to gently reverse direction. I can also mow faster when in thinner grass, and immediately slow down when encountering heavier grass. I, personally, without infringing on anyone elses feelings, appreciate my HST tractor.

I realized I might be stepping on toes when I expressed how having HST makes slope mowing easier (at least for me). In our meadow, we have a mixture of grass, everything from fescue to bahia. Bahia is also known as "highway grass" here in N.C.; its stems can be quite wiry. I had planted the bahia in patches within the meadow with the knowledge that it will eventually expand (it's an invasive grass)... however, as it stands now, when I mow the meadow, I do need to slow down while going through the patches of bahia. As you noted, the HST facilitates this. No insult intended nor implied, but I also appreciate my HST tractor.

Ben

 

[lsmurphy]

That slope I mow side-slope all the time round here and no HST.

Tell your friend to iron the wrinkles out of his panties.

 

[TripleR]

Agreed you are quite safe from flipping on that slope and I realize it is hrd to judge from a picture. I would have the ROPS up though.

My wife mows a couple of pond levies with her BX2660 and MMM, we have the same wheels weights or close to it and I recently added wheel spacers.

 

[skeets]

Yup that will work,,,, I don't have a FEL so when I do my steep slopes I put it in low and 4wd and back up,, I doubt she would go over going up nose first,, I just like having the weight on the UP hill side,,lol

 

[BenRich]

Agreed you are quite safe from flipping on that slope and I realize it is hrd to judge from a picture. I would have the ROPS up though.

I had thought about putting the ROPS up for the photos, but realized since I hardly ever have them up then I would just go as is and be honest about it. Another confession is that I haven't once buckled the seat belt.

In my youth I operated a big Case 930 as well as an old John Deere "Poppin John". Neither of those had a ROPS nor seat belts.

That being said, I am cautious by nature and have seen my share of accidents and injuries. Were I to be operating the tractor in an area where I felt there was a genuine chance it could flip or roll, I would have the ROPS up and the seat belt fastened.

Ben

 

[85Hokie]

Mowing the way you are, with the loader on the front and the mower on the ground, you aren't remotely going to flip. I mow steeper than that (I'm not one-upping your post, just stating that you can mow steeper grades safely), without a loader, and have complete confidence in the operation. Sidehilling would be a risk not worth taking.
I also appreciate, WHICH IS MY OWN OPINION AND IN NO WAY A DESIRE TO INCITE AN ARGUMENT, an HST when on a steep slope. Not only can I come to a stop without touching the brakes or sliding tires, but it is very easy to gently reverse direction. I can also mow faster when in thinner grass, and immediately slow down when encountering heavier grass. I, personally, without infringing on anyone elses feelings, appreciate my HST tractor.

I second the notion, HST......been shifting for years.....nice not having to do so

 

[TripleR]

I had thought about putting the ROPS up for the photos, but realized since I hardly ever have them up then I would just go as is and be honest about it. Another confession is that I haven't once buckled the seat belt.

In my youth I operated a big Case 930 as well as an old John Deere "Poppin John". Neither of those had a ROPS nor seat belts.

That being said, I am cautious by nature and have seen my share of accidents and injuries. Were I to be operating the tractor in an area where I felt there was a genuine chance it could flip or roll, I would have the ROPS up and the seat belt fastened.

Ben

Not trying to be the safety police, just saying what I do. I grew up farming without ROPS equipped tractors too, but I quit driving them some time ago. My brothers still drive them on our flatland farm, but the two farms on which I work are hilly.

I don't wear my seat belt all the time, but only operate cabbed tractors. We all have our own ways I suppose.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

My slope mower... It is also gear!

 

[hodge]

My slope mower... It is also gear!

There he is. I knew he would show up to the party sooner or later!

 

[scooby074]

No problem doing what youre doing, although Id raise the ROPS. I generally keep mine up on slopes, although Im usually sidehilling.

 

[Eric McCarthy]

There he is. I knew he would show up to the party sooner or later!

Couldn't resist the gear tranny plug! In all seriousness though its insane how well that walk behind clings onto a hillside.