Dangerous Steep Ditch Bush Hog

GeoHorn

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M4700DT, LA1002FEL, Ferguson5-8B Compactor-Roller, 10KDumpTrailer, RTV-X900
May 18, 2018
6,040
3,316
113
Texas
Here is a video my wife took yesterday of me bush hogging a VERY steep ditch right of way area. Grand L 4060 and Brown 416

https://youtu.be/28-ityTv6aM
Psdstu, I was trying to see how your top-link is set up to avoid damaging your shredder framework when you bottom-out in that ditch. I don’t see the top-link swivel when the toplink is compressed at the bottom of the ditch. Can you elaborate on that?
 

D2Cat

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,814
5,555
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
Interesting video, but it looks like your mower is taking abuse and you're pulling out onto the road which will eventually be a problem when the coming traffic does not stop like the man in the pickup did.

Be a perfect place to plant crown vetch. Then it will look better and won't need mowed.

 

Henro

Well-known member

Equipment
B2910, BX2200, KX41-2V mini Ex., Beer fridge
May 24, 2019
5,781
2,965
113
North of Pittsburgh PA
Nothing much flat here where I live, so cutting that ditch up and down did not look that dangerous to me...now had you been mowing crosswise, for me that WOULD be dangerous!

Of course my pucker factor increased greatly after tipping my tractor on its side several years ago, after operating it without incident for around 15 years...:eek:
 

SDT

Well-known member

Equipment
multiple and various
Apr 15, 2018
3,250
1,041
113
SE, IN
Here is a video my wife took yesterday of me bush hogging a VERY steep ditch right of way area. Grand L 4060 and Brown 416

https://youtu.be/28-ityTv6aM
I suppose it could be illusion resulting from the video, but that bank does not look very steep.

I routinely mow much steeper banks horizontally with my M9960, L6060, B3350 and B1750. Not to be slighted, also my Fords.

SDT
 

ken erickson

Well-known member

Equipment
B7100 hst, 2650 front mount snowblower, L2501 hst qa loader
Nov 21, 2010
1,147
1,855
113
Waupaca Wisconsin
Interesting video, but it looks like your mower is taking abuse and you're pulling out onto the road which will eventually be a problem when the coming traffic does not stop like the man in the pickup did.

Be a perfect place to plant crown vetch. Then it will look better and won't need mowed.

Planting the ditch with forbs would be a great idea!
The only thing I would be concerned about with Crown Vetch is that it is not native to the US, and not sure if its considered invasive at your location.

Here is a link from Indiana concerning Crown Vetch and alternatives that are a native.
https://www.in.gov/dnr/files/Crown_vetch.pdf
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
11,401
4,899
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
Old school sickle mower would be a better tool.......
or better yet, plantsomething that don't need mowing....
 

BAP

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
2012 Kubota 2920, 60MMM, FEL, BH65 48" Bush Hog, 60"Backblade, B2782B Snowblower
Dec 31, 2012
2,742
854
113
New Hampshire
Were you running it in 4 wheel drive? Were you in low range? Looks like 1 rear tire sliding.
 

Gene Blister

Member

Equipment
2019 Kubota B2601, FAL LA435, Snow Blower BX2822A, Land Pride rear blade RB1572
Aug 4, 2019
84
20
8
Cocolalla, Idaho
Planting the ditch with forbs would be a great idea!
The only thing I would be concerned about with Crown Vetch is that it is not native to the US, and not sure if its considered invasive at your location.

Here is a link from Indiana concerning Crown Vetch and alternatives that are a native.
https://www.in.gov/dnr/files/Crown_vetch.pdf
I'm planting thyme and evergreen veronica on my hard to mow slopes. They're low-growing and neat, and they feeds pollinators.

Check out http://www.highcountrygardens.com
 

troverman

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HSTC; 2020 Kubota Z421KW-54 zero turn mower
Jun 9, 2015
1,188
275
83
NH
From my perspective, that bank did not look that steep. Good job for getting it done, but the mower is taking a beating with the angles. I would have used 4x4 going down the hill.

Here's one slope that I mow twice a year with an MX4800...
 

Attachments

gas man

Member

Equipment
b7100hst
May 25, 2019
33
7
8
cny
most of my lawn is steeper than that, mowed crossway's, unless the daughter decidedes to stripe it.
 

Magicman

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M4900 Utility Special 4WD e/w FEL & 1530 John Deere "Traveling Man"
Oct 8, 2019
5,503
7,561
113
81
Brookhaven, MS
knotholesawmill.com
From the video I can not see the danger problem but it would be a simple matter to use your FEL bucket and reduce the slope angle. Nothing much will ever grow with the continual churning from the tractor tires.
 

tawood

New member

Equipment
L2501
Apr 18, 2020
29
3
3
Lapeer, MI
From my perspective, that bank did not look that steep. Good job for getting it done, but the mower is taking a beating with the angles. I would have used 4x4 going down the hill.

Here's one slope that I mow twice a year with an MX4800...
OP, I think Troverman has you beat! Wow, now this is a steep incline!