Driving my 2650 up and down slopes

[troverman]

Here's one slope I mow...fairly steep, don't you think? Sometimes I drive up; sometimes I back up.

The manuals don't say you can't drive up; rather they say "don't drive up a slope you can't back up." This goes to my point about it being easier from a traction standpoint for a machine to be able to drive up rather than back up.

[JackJ]

Yikes! Most slopes in pictures look tame, much less tricky than they appear from the seat of a tractor.

This one looks terrifying!

[troverman]

It's pretty steep. The seatbelt is what holds you in place when you back up. And yes, the wheels will slip occasionally as you back up the hill, or drive up the hill.

The key is that no matter what happens, you can't let the tractor get sideways if it starts to slide. A roll on this hill, even with ROPs and a belt, could be fatal.

The loader needs to come off for backing up this hill, as well. I tried with it on and the rear wheels were starting to lift, even with a heavy flail mower on the back and loaded rears.

[North Idaho Wolfman]

All of these Kubotas are much more stable on a slope when you ditch the loader!

[Dae06]

So you do drive up this slope? Do you by chance know what degree of slope it is?

[troverman]

I’ve driven up it and backed up it. I do not know the angle in degrees, but it is very near the limit of the tractor I’d say. Extremely steep...you’d not be able to steer or press the HST pedal without the seatbelt holding you in place.

[hope to float]

I'm all for reversing up slopes too. I would rather have the steering wheels with weight on them if anything goes wrong. If you are driving up and the front end gets light you better hope both back wheels are pulling good enough to keep you straight til you get to the top because there is no stopping halfway

[RCW]

Trover - Yikes indeed!

My slopes are steep, but short. Yours almost looks like some dams I've seen.

I'm afraid of heights. Your picture gave me the heeby-jeebies.

[BAP]

Originally Posted by troverman

Here's one slope I mow...fairly steep, don't you think? Sometimes I drive up; sometimes I back up.

The manuals don't say you can't drive up; rather they say "don't drive up a slope you can't back up." This goes to my point about it being easier from a traction standpoint for a machine to be able to drive up rather than back up.

Looks like some of the fields we used to hay. No Guts, No Glory!!

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Originally Posted by troverman

I’ve driven up it and backed up it. I do not know the angle in degrees, but it is very near the limit of the tractor I’d say. Extremely steep...you’d not be able to steer or press the HST pedal without the seatbelt holding you in place.

I say this with the kindest of regards, your nuts and pay your life insurance!