Tucker Terra 2000XL Maximum Sidehill

[huntnjim]

Does anyone know what the maximum sidehill angle in degrees would be on a Tucker 2000 XL?
I was in Winter Survival/SnoCat training last week with Safety One and the question came up.
Cannot find it anywhere in the Tucker manual. someone suggested 24 degrees?

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

Does anyone know what the maximum sidehill angle in degrees would be on a Tucker 2000 XL?
I was in Winter Survival/SnoCat training last week with Safety One and the question came up.
Cannot find it anywhere in the Tucker manual. someone suggested 24 degrees?

my guess is that that would be in th ball park what youu have to remember when you are in the steep and deep that because of weight transfer your down hill tracks can get quite heavy taking you past your max angle quick i have seen manny bv 206's where this has happened you have to be much more carefull with those heavyer snow cats thats why they have plows on them to cut a level trail.

 

[huntnjim]

Trying to find a good digital vehicle inclinometer, any suggestions?

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

i wouldn't seat of the pants works just fine if you push it to the limits shit happens

 

[mkntrakes]

There are to many varables to put a maximum side hill angle on any snow cat as snow condition is a big part but also terrian and also angle of attack. the driver of machine has to know there limitations as well

 

[huntnjim]

There are to many varables to put a maximum side hill angle on any snow cat as snow condition is a big part but also terrian and also angle of attack. the driver of machine has to know there limitations as well

No question, good advise, still the guideline for the average condition would be good to know.

 

[Snowtrac Nome]

yes good advice i might also add if it dosn't feel right it probably isn't you put a gauge on it and give a driver the max guidelines and the conditions won't support it when he gets in troubble the first words out of his mouth won't be i failed to use common sence.

 

[mattfidaho]

like others said it really depends on conditions...
I have had our 2000XL around 35 (passenger looked at the gauge) before the tracks broke free and I started crabbing across the side hill.

most of the time the tracks will slide before you are even close to tipping, it is an un easy feeling for sure...

most of the time I try and build a road with the blade if the side hill is too bad.. but one of our tower sites is steep uphill and side hill with very hard packed drifts so I crab up the hill then cut on the way down.

I really need to have a camera rolling one of these times :-/


this view really doesn't do it justice.. you can see a few places where the tracks are wider, that was where I had to crab.

closer look

this was the same hill about a year before.. It wasn't as bad, but the passenger wanted out.. lol so I ended up with a pic

it is truly amazing what the 2000XL can do.. just remember to not spin the tracks.. some times it is just about an idle moving forward and you can climb some steep stuff,

 

[huntnjim]

great photos, especially the guys tracks in front of the cat.

 

[mattfidaho]

this is the gauge setup I put in.. in hind site, I would have put the front to back on the passenger side so I could see it easier..

 

[mattfidaho]

I guess one thing I would add from my limited time in the seat.. some times the blade can get you into more trouble.. trying to cut uphill, it tends to help the rear end kick out faster as you try and push snow.. so unless I am back blading I try to do most of the cut going down hill.
also the lockers.. I do not use them when on a side hill as (for me) it seams to break the tracks free faster.

 

[Cletis]

Quote: also the lockers.. I do not use them when on a side hill as (for me) it seams to break the tracks free faster.

Is this true also while crabbing with the lockers engaged??

Cletis

 

[mattfidaho]

Quote: also the lockers.. I do not use them when on a side hill as (for me) it seams to break the tracks free faster.

Is this true also while crabbing with the lockers engaged??

Cletis

I dont know the "book" answer.. but for me as soon as the angle is enough conditions ect and the tracks start to slip, and as I transition to crabbing I like having the lockers on while crabbing, and all tracks are "slipping" the same.. (about the only time I want the tracks to slip) I dont want to say spin the tracks as it is usually a slow "crab" lol
It is kind of hard for me to explain.. but keeping the cat at an angle where the front tracks are pulling you up the hill and the back tracks are pushing you across the hill, so far it has worked best for me to have the lockers on at that point..

but I am still learning each time I go out, and "refining" my technique.
as you know each time the snow can be set up compleately diffrent from the last time so what works well in one case might not be the best in the other..


I am working with limited sleep right now so forgive my ramble