Side-slopes: If my B2920 could do it, can my L4310?

troverman

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HSTC; 2020 Kubota Z421KW-54 zero turn mower
Jun 9, 2015
1,188
275
83
NH
Thanks for all the advice, guys. I think it's mostly in my head. I will be careful.
 

Dave_eng

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
M7040, Nuffield 465
Oct 6, 2012
5,235
1,018
113
Williamstown Ontario Canada
Thanks for all the advice, guys. I think it's mostly in my head. I will be careful.
I am with Grouse Feathers. The numbers in his calculations are a big red flag!!!

If it will happen, it will be unstoppable and you will be on the downhill side.
There is no being careful as "I will just go close to the edge and look over."

A seat belt and roll bar is a must to save your life but why would you want to risk smashing your Kubota.

Your own body weight is above the center of gravity and adding to the tendency to roll over. The normal human tendency, when the rear wheel starts to lift off the ground, is to hang on tight which just makes things worse by having your downhill inertia pulling the tractor over on yourself.

Go on youtube and search for "mowing side slopes." There are special mowers made to do this job. Many are run by remote control from a distance. All are very wide machines with low wide tires not tall ones.

Dave M7040
 

troverman

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HSTC; 2020 Kubota Z421KW-54 zero turn mower
Jun 9, 2015
1,188
275
83
NH
Shucks, I didn't see Grouse Feather's calculations until now.

Here's a little more info: both tractors have R4 industrial tires. For the past two seasons, the B2920 was "stock." This year, I had the rear tires loaded to 80% and added 2" wheel spacers, widening the track by 4".

The L4310 appears to have its rear tires set as wide as possible. Those tires are loaded as well.

Both machines are being run with loaders attached and buckets just a couple of inches off the ground.

I'm curious as to which one, by the calculations, is actually more stable. I run rollbars up and seatbelts on for both machines. I think a roll could be catastrophic since I think it would roll multiple times down the slope. The L seems like it would have a better chance of keeping your legs inside the platform.
 

D2Cat

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
13,828
5,576
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
Troverman, your own description describes an invitation to trouble. "I think a roll could be catastrophic since I think it would roll multiple times down the slope. The L seems like it would have a better chance of keeping your legs inside the platform."

You're trying to improve the odds of trouble, but one mistake or bump or unknown hole and you're rolling down the slope multiple times!

Don't be so naive, and end up crippled.
 

troverman

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HSTC; 2020 Kubota Z421KW-54 zero turn mower
Jun 9, 2015
1,188
275
83
NH
Troverman, your own description describes an invitation to trouble. "I think a roll could be catastrophic since I think it would roll multiple times down the slope. The L seems like it would have a better chance of keeping your legs inside the platform."

You're trying to improve the odds of trouble, but one mistake or bump or unknown hole and you're rolling down the slope multiple times!

Don't be so naive, and end up crippled.
In fairness, I've done this job for two years mowing across the slopes and have been fine. This year I'm using the bigger machine and hence these questions. I know the field pretty well.
 

Grouse Feathers

New member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2370, FEL, Snowblower-BX5455, Homebuilt Forks, LP RB1560, LP GS1548
Feb 16, 2015
1,022
10
0
Lovells, Mi
The first time you relax, daydream, or swat a fly (to say nothing about texting)....could be your last. Having the fel on, and the bucket low may help lower your CG, but it also moves the CG forward to the the front axle and away from the more stable rear axle. If you hit a bump with the uphill rear wheel the front axle pivot may allow the tractor to roll past the point of no return.