It probably has something to do with the way the oil sits at the bottom of the engine. It might not get proper lubrication on a steep grades.
X500 and steep hill question
I have a 2012 X500 I bought specifically cause it's known to climb hills very well especially with the locking rear. The only way to get from the front of my house to the back is to traverse a very steep hill. It's probably 30% or better but only about 200 ft. I don't cut the hill, just go up and down.
So I was reading the Kaw engine manual and it says not to operate the engine at angles above 25%. Am I endangering my motor doing this?
So I was reading the Kaw engine manual and it says not to operate the engine at angles above 25%. Am I endangering my motor doing this?
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I think that warning is there so that the operator doesn't run at steeper than a 25% grade for an extended period of time. In my humble opinion you aren't going to hurt anything by going up or down a 30% grade for a couple of hundred feet once or twice a day.
First, make sure you have an apple to apple comparison. Your 30% to Kawasaki's 25? Are you sure they say 25% and not 25 deg. because 25 deg. is much different from 25%.
Second, measure your grade, don't guess, most people overestimate their grades. The easy way to get % of grade is to use a 100" stick or pipe, I use a piece of 1/2" conduit I bought for $1.29 at Menards. It comes as 10', but I cut it to 100". then with a torpedo level on the pipe and a tape measure, you just level the pipe on your grade and read the distance down to the ground below the pipe in inches as % of grade.
steve
Second, measure your grade, don't guess, most people overestimate their grades. The easy way to get % of grade is to use a 100" stick or pipe, I use a piece of 1/2" conduit I bought for $1.29 at Menards. It comes as 10', but I cut it to 100". then with a torpedo level on the pipe and a tape measure, you just level the pipe on your grade and read the distance down to the ground below the pipe in inches as % of grade.
steve
It's a great point Steve! I wondered about that. I'm going to use your method and check.
A 30% grade for 200' is about a 50'- 55' rise taking transition from flat to slope into consideration. How tall is your house? The average bungalo with a 4/12 pitch roof is about 18' tall. Add 9' for each additional floor.
You might benefit from using this % grade vs Degrees chart.
I am also considering the x500 on my new property with steep hill. Measured slope as 20-22 degrees and this translate t0 40% grade.
Sales rep from JD said x500 would do but would not expect to last long after warranty due to lubrication problem with the engine. Not an expert with engine, I would like to hear experts on this forum on this.....
Rep said I should go with x700s series instead. Not sure if he's "selling" or "telling me the truth"
Sales rep from JD said x500 would do but would not expect to last long after warranty due to lubrication problem with the engine. Not an expert with engine, I would like to hear experts on this forum on this.....
Rep said I should go with x700s series instead. Not sure if he's "selling" or "telling me the truth"
According to http://www.tractordata.com/ it looks like the x500 and the x700 both have Kawasaki 2 cylinder diesel engines. I have a hard time swallowing the idea that one of them has a diferent enough oiling system that it would be more likely to run the system dry on a given slope over the other one. It may be possible, but the pickups for most oil pumps are close to the center of the oil sump.I am also considering the x500 on my new property with steep hill. Measured slope as 20-22 degrees and this translate t0 40% grade.
Sales rep from JD said x500 would do but would not expect to last long after warranty due to lubrication problem with the engine. Not an expert with engine, I would like to hear experts on this forum on this.....
Rep said I should go with x700s series instead. Not sure if he's "selling" or "telling me the truth"
I'm thinking the salesman is looking for a bigger commission.
It looks like maybe the good folks over at tractordata don't really have their facts straight since the x500's are all gas engines. Maybe the difference is that the x500's have vertical shaft engines and the x700's have horizontal shaft engines?
Maybe the OP can zigzag up the hill and not slosh the oil only to one side ?:sidelaugh
Just kidding, if it takes a few seconds to climb the hill, I can't imagine it would do anything to the engines. Are you mowing the hill or just going up/down it?
-gh
Maybe the OP can zigzag up the hill and not slosh the oil only to one side ?:sidelaugh
Just kidding, if it takes a few seconds to climb the hill, I can't imagine it would do anything to the engines. Are you mowing the hill or just going up/down it?
-gh
They both have vertical shaft 2-cylinder Kawasaki engines. A couple of the X7XX models (X740, X744, X748, X749) are 3-cylinder diesels, the rest are gas.Maybe the difference is that the x500's have vertical shaft engines and the x700's have horizontal shaft engines?
Sorry Harryc, all the x700's are horizontal shaft engines (jugs are upright) whether gas or diesels. My GX345 (like your x500), the jugs are laying down.
-gh
-gh
Oh yeah, it's too early in the AM. I did know that because my X485 was horizontal...not thinking.Sorry Harryc, all the x700's are horizontal shaft engines
Very helpful, thanks.You might benefit from using this % grade vs Degrees chart.
Thanks, very helpful, I had no idea how to measure this.First, make sure you have an apple to apple comparison. Your 30% to Kawasaki's 25? Are you sure they say 25% and not 25 deg. because 25 deg. is much different from 25%.
Second, measure your grade, don't guess, most people overestimate their grades. The easy way to get % of grade is to use a 100" stick or pipe, I use a piece of 1/2" conduit I bought for $1.29 at Menards. It comes as 10', but I cut it to 100". then with a torpedo level on the pipe and a tape measure, you just level the pipe on your grade and read the distance down to the ground below the pipe in inches as % of grade.
steve
Actually, you don't even have to cut the pipe, just mark it at the 100" line, use tape, or a stripe of paint, or permanent marker, and measure from there.... The easy way to get % of grade is to use a 100" stick or pipe, I use a piece of 1/2" conduit I bought for $1.29 at Menards. It comes as 10', but I cut it to 100". then with a torpedo level on the pipe and a tape measure, you just level the pipe on your grade and read the distance down to the ground below the pipe in inches as % of grade...
steve
I doubt seriously it's 25 degrees...you'd slide off the tractor.
Sent from the MTF Free App
Sent from the MTF Free App
Yup, most people overestimate grades, when dumping a load from a dump truck, dirt/sand/gravel will lay at a 30 deg. angle. Most mowers won't even climb a 30 deg. angle let alone mow it. Ventrac and other purpose built hi-angle mowers excluded.I doubt seriously it's 25 degrees...you'd slide off the tractor.
steve
Thanks Skip! Very helpful. I think I'm ok. a 25 degree slope is almost a 50% grade. I do use synthetic oil for what its worth.You might benefit from using this % grade vs Degrees chart.
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
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