Depends what you are doing. Benches are your friend. Just be careful, I don't like working on steep slopes for too long because I am afraid of the oil draining away from the pick up tube.
How Steep Is Too Steep??
I was curious as to how steep of a grade everyone is comfortable working on. Comfortable in the sense of the machine being properly lubricated, etc. I have a job that is about 45deg or 100% slope.
I've been very close to this grade before, but you get to a point where you wonder how the excavator is going to like it. It will definately be a drag yourself up and work your way back down deal, but I don't want to be hurting the machine. I won't be swinging over center, just a few degrees left or right.
I have a blade, so that will pull a few degrees out of the slope, etc. Just basically want to hear other guy's input on what is is acceptable. My manual states no more than 25deg, but that is more for safety of the operator. As we all know, our work requires much steeper grades, but this one is a bit more than the usual.
Thanks.
I've been very close to this grade before, but you get to a point where you wonder how the excavator is going to like it. It will definately be a drag yourself up and work your way back down deal, but I don't want to be hurting the machine. I won't be swinging over center, just a few degrees left or right.
I have a blade, so that will pull a few degrees out of the slope, etc. Just basically want to hear other guy's input on what is is acceptable. My manual states no more than 25deg, but that is more for safety of the operator. As we all know, our work requires much steeper grades, but this one is a bit more than the usual.
Thanks.
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Thats exactly what I am worried about.....not sure how they baffle the oil pans, etc. for slope work. Unfortunately we can't bench it as there are existing 10" and 12" water mains existing. Obviously someone had to dig those in 20plus years ago, so it is doable. More a matter of what will the machine take without adversely affecting it. I am a mechanic as much as I am an operator, but it always helps to hear what other guys have done. I will be on the slope 4-5hrs possibly.Depends what you are doing. Benches are your friend. Just be careful, I don't like working on steep slopes for too long because I am afraid of the oil draining away from the pick up tube.
check the oil twice a day, watch the gauges and pay attention to how the motor "sounds". if there's any sign of oil pressure loss walk out to more level ground. otherwise hang it from a cliff if need be.
what type of work are doing? I have come off of some pretty steap stock piles but this is short term travel 5-10 seconds them I am flattened out again. When and If computer recognizes less than 15 lbs oil psi. machine will shut down,better to have mach. shut down than to spin a bearing. Benching is often used by myself! But here is an idea instead of benching the slope to level yourself off, do you have enough room to add material to lift that slope up to level yourself off that way? I know what comes next can't reach!
Where's that spider hoe guy?
Just make sure the machine is over the max on the engine oil a small bit and drive on, "it s not to steep till you slip off the seat" lol
Some machines, (My case 580se) have what we called a "swinging sump".
Essentially the oil pick up tube would swing into the pool of oil if the machine were to be on a steep slope. It only functioned front to back, not side to side. I don't recall the limits, but I have never lost OP in my backhoe, and I have headed down some slopes.
Essentially the oil pick up tube would swing into the pool of oil if the machine were to be on a steep slope. It only functioned front to back, not side to side. I don't recall the limits, but I have never lost OP in my backhoe, and I have headed down some slopes.
I live in Iowa.... What does steep mean? :laughing:
Forgot to click on spell checker it should be STEAP or a major eleavation change
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