Moving materials downhill with FEL

[woodsy]

Just curious what to expect moving rock and gravel down a 15 deg. grade.
Will be doing some woods road work, placing a culvert in a drainage ravine
and back filling with rock and gravel.
Seems like the front end would be even heavier on a down slope than level ground
but not sure and new to FEL work so just asking.

 

[Bmyers]

Loads in your bucket will make the rear end lighter.

Some steps to help with that:

• Use proper counter balance on the rear (example box blade, mower, etc.)
• Keep the loader low to the ground and be prepared to push the loader to the ground if you start to loose control
• Go slow, no need to rush, going slow gives you time to react when things start going wrong
• If you have 4-wheel drive, use 4-wheel drive; the transmission will help keep the tractor under control
• Take small loads until you understand how your tractor will preform and then gradually increase the load

The front end doesn't become heavier because of the slope, but your center of gravity changes because of the slope and thus effecting the balance and performance of the tractor.

Hope this helps

PS-use your safety equipment (ROPS, seatbelt), they are designed to keep you safe if the tractor goes over

 

[19thSF]

Hello Woodsy,

I am thinking that it might be better to back down the slope! The bucket and its load would act as ballast to keep the front down. Just a thought.

Good luck with your project!

 

[woodsy]

Bmyers thanks for the insight and tips.
So the center of gravity is what changes in that scenario.
Knew something must be different.
And yeah backing down the slope would be an option also.

 

[orange crusher]

and stay "north/south" as opposed to "east/west" on the slope. The more you go sideways on the slope the more likely you will tend to want to roll over.

 

[Code]

Ive moves some pretty big loads downslope and I go in reverse. Ive tipped forward a few times going down loader first never had an issue backing down. counterweight is key

 

[woodsy]

Have ballast in both rears so there is an extra 600 lbs back there but an added ballast box would be even better.
Went down with a 1/2 bucket (60") of rocks no problem. low range 3rd gear felt
about right. I'll have to experiment a bit.
Thanks for all the tips !
Happy to finally be able to fix that wet hole.

 

[i7win7]

Supply your own depends and you can refine your skill set cleaning some drainage ditches

 

[torch]

According to this, back up, drive down:

Tractors - Roll-over Prevention

How do you prevent backward upsets? In a backward tip, the tractor can hit the ground in less than one and a half seconds.

www.ccohs.ca

 

[Bmyers]

According to this, back up, drive down:

Tractors - Roll-over Prevention

How do you prevent backward upsets? In a backward tip, the tractor can hit the ground in less than one and a half seconds.

www.ccohs.ca

Yes, but that only works on Canadian tractors.

 

[SDT]

Just curious what to expect moving rock and gravel down a 15 deg. grade.
Will be doing some woods road work, placing a culvert in a drainage ravine
and back filling with rock and gravel.
Seems like the front end would be even heavier on a down slope than level ground
but not sure and new to FEL work so just asking.

Back down steep hills with heavy loads in bucket.

SDT

 

[skeets]

Yes back down, 4wd, low gear and the bucket down as low as it can go with out dragging

 

[BigG]

1)

check out the two videos he attached to this one.
2)