Steep grade

[rsjohnsn]

Hi all, I have a 2017 Takeuchi TL8 that I'm wanting to use on some property that we bought. I have a 72" brush cutter that weighs in the neighborhood of around 2500 pounds. How steep of a grade is safe to go up forward with that much weight out front?

Thanks

 

[Markle]

I highly doubt any one here will be able to advise as this concerns your safety and the safety of others. Catastrophic potential of flipping the machine with a spinning shredder up front, oh jeez. You knew this which is why you asked rather than try it. When in doubt, don't. Be safe. My best!

 

[foton]

look in the manual and see if it lists any info. on grade angles, there are angle displays available for 4 wheel drive jeeps and some heavy equipment that are reasonable. straight up and down should be able to be done as long as the attachment is almost on the ground ,it is crossing that side grade where roll over needs to be carefully thought about. counter weights will help if the machine is to nose heavy, just like all things in life it is a balancing act.

 

[mrbb]

I highly doubt any one here will be able to advise as this concerns your safety and the safety of others. Catastrophic potential of flipping the machine with a spinning shredder up front, oh jeez. You knew this which is why you asked rather than try it. When in doubt, don't. Be safe. My best!

I also agree, no one will really be able to put a angle on things
as almost not hillside is perfectly smooth
so, say your going up an angle, and then one tracks runs over a high (like a rock or root)or low spot, that can alter things pretty fast and cause things to go bad fast!, add in any off camber to a grade/hill/slope and things can go bad even faster or limit more what a machine can do!

then you also have to consider weight of machine , where eight is at, ((high low center gravity, or front or back of machine) or if it has added on counter weights, and so on!
every things effects what is safe, so, there is no way to say,"X" angle is OK or not

it sort of comes down to experience and skill of he operator , knowing when to say when, and also, and risks there willing or not to take, knowing the results of what can happen if it goes wrong!

I see a big difference when an owner is running things as to a worker that doesn't have to pay for repairs of damages to equipment,
but personal; safety should always be used, when in doubt, stop!

and you haven't mention if you plan to BACK up slopes/hills/grades or drive forward, as there is always a difference in approach and departure angles when using equipment!

typically most OEM's I think won't list anything and they base most all of there spec's on being on level ground, where skid steers and CTL's tend to do most of there work! as soon as the ground ain't level, things are in the hands of the operators over the OEM's telling you what to do!, or not do, due to liability issues!
and even if the OEM did list any angles, that would not be considering the implement in use, that will change things , and there is no way for an OEM to cover every implement made!

 

[rsjohnsn]

Thanks for the input but I think I asked the question wrong. I have the specs for the machine but what I'm trying to find out is at what point is it safe to go forward up a hill versus backing up the hill. I don't have the specs in front of me but let's say that a 25% grade requires you to back up the hill. Now if I add that 2500 pound brush cutter to the front, would it be safe to go up the same grade forward? I hope this makes sense.

 

[foton]

I think there are to many variables to address this over the net being 100 percent accurate. I would just try it VERY slowly,keep everything low to ground,go straight up and down,stay off bank edges. You will get a feel for the conditions,but if you get spooked listen to it. I do not know if I could do it ,but in town they have a construction site with dozers on close to a 45 degree ridge (just going straight up and down) ,my butt puckered just looking at it.

 

[mrbb]

Thanks for the input but I think I asked the question wrong. I have the specs for the machine but what I'm trying to find out is at what point is it safe to go forward up a hill versus backing up the hill. I don't have the specs in front of me but let's say that a 25% grade requires you to back up the hill. Now if I add that 2500 pound brush cutter to the front, would it be safe to go up the same grade forward? I hope this makes sense.

Like said, too many variables to give a NUMBER on angle that can be safely climbed, NO company is going to say "X" angle is SAFE, because if they did and someone went up said angle and there was a rock sticking p causing things to change angle FAST and one rolled a machine, the company would be liable or just not ant the risk of being liable!
there is NO real formula either as again, you will never be dealing with perfect flat conditions on angles, things change in a flash, add in a little off camber, and things change even more so!
this again is where experience and operator skill and assessment of things comes into play!

most machines ALL specs are made based off being on perfectly flat level ground!
after that is, back to experiences of operator to make the call or take the risk! , OEMS want NOTHING to do with giving out spec's on what can be done !


some operators take risks other will NOT, some get away with it, and some don't,
and then there is the type of soil, ground things are being driven on that change things, loose ground, dirt, hard pack, soft, wet, grass covered(dry grass wet grass) , paved, gravel, and so on!
ALL change what can be done
add in again off camber, slopes uneven terrain, , the variables are endless!

so again there is NO number than can be given, minus LEVEL flat ground, after that, its in your hands to make the call!
this is also why experienced operators are valued so much, over just any one that can get on a machine and use it! there is a huge difference
Skill/experience cannot be bought or achieved by reading things, or just doing a few times!
it takes yrs to get it! no short cuts!