Did We Slide Into the Retention Pond? Extreme Slope Mowing!

Ventrac 4500 with touch cut tackles the steep banks around a retention pond. Brad had been mowing these slopes by hand using a Billy Goat walk behind mower taking him 8 hours. He reached out to Tractor Time with Tim to put the Ventrac mower to the slope test.
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[@kevinmohr1946]

Great job everyone! Especially vinnie

[@cwolf8841]

I'm convinced. I've ordered a Ventrac and am selling all my tractor stuff. I wasted years and a lot of money trying to get a tractor to do things they're not designed to do. Add-in a few runaways and one wreck. The only problem now is waiting for Ventrac backlogs. THANKS! Cheers.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Wow! Congratulations!

[@cwolf8841]

@@TractorTimewithTim The other advantage to Ventrac is finish level. I used to joke that the John Deere "tool box" was really to carry BandAides...due to all the cuts resulting for welding splatter, sharp edges, and misfitting parts. :)

[@marknoble5495]

Man he did well on that steep slope by the road. I can only imagine how satisfying it is when you are done and look at the finished job.

[@andysmith5220]

Ventrac should use this video for one of its videos on their website. Excellent, at showing what a beginner to ventrac can do within a minimum amount of training.

[@malcolmcavalier7849]

This video shows the ventrac doing what it does best, after owning one for the past five years , I can say that it is worth every penny that I spent on it. People don't realize how steep a true 30 - 35 degree slope angle is from the video . The side slippage is a good indicator that you are getting close to your limits without getting into real trouble, this is a good thing , because the ventrac gives you the courage to try some things that you should not be doing after using it for awhile. The idea is to cut the grass without tearing up the hillside and having future erosion problems, so adding chains or aggressive tires will cause more damage and in the long run create more problem areas. I really enjoy your channel and the way you show usage of your equipment in everyday projects.

[@davem5370]

That Ventrac is really impressive! Thanks Tim for the real world use videos 👍👍

[@curtwhite876]

34 degrees?!? What an impressive machine. Brad was right when he was talking about pucker factor, it was exactly what I was thinking. I was contemplating how big a lever it would take to pry me off the seat when I got done.

[@CrusaderSports250]

Been to 45 degrees in a LandRover, not a happy experience but done with care and we both got out, never liked side slopes!!.

[@dadams5040]

We are very blessed people to have you and christy in our life!! Glad your Hoosiers!! Indiana proud!!

[@jamesgrimm8678]

I was in the mowing business for 15 years & Im impressed.

[@seansysig]

Impressed how quickly he picked up the craving technique so quickly. It is a valuable skill for 28° and greater slope mowing!

[@timraber6575]

Hey Tim..... I retired from wastewater treatment here in Kentucky. People ask me if a wastewater plant stinks? I tell them the place smells like a pay check..!!!!! And after over 18 years, I still smell that check coming in each month. The basin next to that pond looked like an extended aeration basin, but very shallow. I worked around basins that, but around 16 feet deep and you didn’t want to step on that liner when it was wet or you would be taking a swim. And you almost got all of the wastewater jokes in........ Some times plants like that will put 8 foot fences and hire farmers that have live billy goats to keep the grass under control. The ventrac did a great job. Another sale for them. Thanks for the video.

[@medom1786]

Tim Raber what’s the pay like, ball park? It would definitely be more then just a typical mowing contract.

[@benholland7609]

One thing I enjoy most about you guys is the involvement you have with the customer. A lot of companies just wouldn’t do that

[@HamiltonvilleFarm]

very good video demonstrating the capabilities of the ventrac

[@ritterjon]

💥 What a fantastic machine! This was a great video displaying how well the Ventrac handles steep slopes. Very well done Tim and Christy! 👍 Keep on tractoring!

[@markclark4473]

I love how you are about helping people out. I'm sure that he is going to be getting one for himself. It looks like it would save him a ton of time.

[@tazmankb26]

Brad handled that like he has had significant seat time. We know you are a pro Tim but as I watched that I found my pucker factor to be pretty high. I just got my 4500P Friday and have yet to take it on anything of significance. I don't have duelies yet only the 3" axle extensions that give me a slighly wider and stable stance.

[@steventhomson2042]

Great test and demonstration for Vinny!!! Glad everyone and thing is safe!

[@herbiebackhoe5593]

That was the best and most impressive mowing video yet... never would have guessed Brad mowed that whole area with the walk behind mower. When I first starting watching, just had that gut feeling Tim was going to find his limitations near the water hole, but most of us have been there wanting to get just a little bit closer. Ventrac proved itself for sure!!! Great video TTWT

[@foranken]

This was a very good and demonstrative video for sure. Great job guys!

[@richpicone7788]

That was AWESOME. I always enjoy seeing the Ventrac in action. It’s good to see it in real life situations. You guys do a great job showing the capabilities and limits of these machines. Thank you for that!!

[@Formulabruce]

"Testicular Fortitude" comes to mind here!

[@GrampysTractor]

I was always told that the maximum slope was determined by how far the Caterpillar that made the slope could go before it slipped. Christie needs a Vinny with cameras mounted so she doesn't have to walk all the slopes.

[@warped2875]

I rented a Billy Goat one time to field mow a 30* slope, and it plain wore me out mowing cross slope! Swinging that thing 180* for each pass for three or four hours was a real chore as there is no brake steering on that unit, you just have to horse it around. That was the last time I ever rent a Billy Goat field mower!!! Maybe 40 years ago it wouldn't have been a problem for me, but not any more. Can't afford a Vinny too, so I just do it with my 1025R and MMM running nose down, and mow in reverse coming straight back up the slope.

[@chrisnash2154]

That’s some extreme mowing! Definitely made me pucker!

[@dennysisk1100]

Wow that's definitely a neat tractor for mowing Hills and slopy areas I have seen areas I could use that on.

[@marshallwilliams5214]

I was inpressed how the ventrac did in the slope. Great video Tim

[@CapeAnnImages]

Great Video! That "practice" hill is about the same slope as a hill in my yard that my little Cub Cadet XT1 handles, except I have to mow it straight up and down. That Ventrac is awesome!

[@bryanschwertner3585]

Wow!!! Mows a steep slope great!!! Being a row crop and now utility tractor man that I am, just watching that had me puckering! Ha ha.

[@RKHarm24]

This video is a Self Marketing. Bring it, Show it, then let them use it. SOLD Awesome job Tim.

[@mikefortune4796]

Hi Tim and Christy Brad handled it like a real pro great video

[@semco72057]

That Ventrac mower did a great job in the areas you all went over and cut areas you could never cut with a regular tractor and the grass was perfect.

[@BJBuckStar]

Was hogging my field and the hill this weekend with my BX23. Definitely could have used the Ventrac. Pucker up!

[@markpowell4701]

I did enjoy that video and the Drone footage was great also. Thanks, TTWT

[@zaineridling]

This is stunning to watch. Once again, the VenTrac sell itself!

[@jansorensen]

Impressive mowing of Ventrac 4500 in these extream slopes.

[@denisewildfortune4058]

Great video, Tim. But I gotta say that my backside was biting my couch cushion when you first hit the steep stuff! Very impressive! I mean you, not Vinnie! Smiling broadly!

[@tazmankb26]

One other comment- I used one of those Billy Goats to clear a large area of poson ivy, honeysuckle, and grapevine from my property earlier this year- at 55 it kicked me in the butt and finally pushed me over the edge to throw down and pull the trigger on the Ventrac.

[@rotorbeam1]

You should go to California and show how to use it to build a forest fire defense grid around a housing sector.

[@ERICMB24MF37U24F39]

oh Cristy at the end... LOL great video and great overview of the steepness vinny can handle

[@kenrichardson4144]

Braver than me! Great video! Thanks for sharing❗❗❗ 🙂🙂🙂 👍👍👍

[@octainrod1612]

This was the first video I watched of yours. Great stuff.

[@MowBeta]

Brad, hope you enjoy using the Ventrac as much as I have; it's done some great work for us. Got mine in 2014 to mow a couple of steep highway overpasses, which were scary when mowed with tractor brushhogs. Suggestion: when deciding if you want to tackle a particular slope, try using a Clinometer app on your cellphone on a small piece of 2x4 lumber to measure the slope... we found that the analog slope meter on the Ventrac is notoriously unreliable. A plus of the Ventrac, by the way, over other slope mowers, is its versatility. We can use ours year-round, since we got a front slowplow and rear salt spreader for use on sidewalks in the winter. Have fun!

[@joeyshofner639]

I see a future ventrac owner, great video!

[@erbliving6741]

yes, unfortunately! : ( Brad's wife here....

[@BJBuckStar]

@@erbliving6741 Perhaps a standup mower might do the trick? Wright ZK Dually Stand On Mower - there are demo videos on steep slopes on the tube.

[@erbliving6741]

@@BJBuckStar I think I should give him a break-his knees deserve it!!!...after all he's walked that steep property far too many times. But thank u!

[@peterkober6758]

Tim Christi was interesting a lot more that I want to tackle God Bless All PaK

[@JohnSmith-lw2bm]

That was a good test for the ventrac. Imagine if it had matt track type treads instead of wheels!

[@henrycarlson7514]

Interesting , Thank You

[@MattN03]

That is very impressive Tim!

[@kurtsimmons1587]

Good job even sliding like that! They need a better tire that grips on slopes. They need tires with spikes in them! That way you can aerate at the same time!

[@TheSoloAsylum]

They have them already, they are expensive and dangerous but they would easily do this job.

[@mikehornsby599]

Great job enjoyed that !!!!!

[@ColesChampion]

Whew!!!!!!!!!!!! Too steep for me!!!!!! Nice job though!!!!! Had my feet feeling funny.

[@danielsharon524]

Great footage with the drone and impressive what that machine can do. I didn't think he's be able to get all the way up by guardrail - Looks like it got steeper as it went up.

[@keithfaulk1354]

Very nice !!!

[@jasonmelton3389]

Nice video

[@garycrooks6711]

Very impressive video and demonstration of the Ventrac's slope capability. I've had this tractor but with the larger sweet Kubota engine, the Model 4500Z, for several years and have some steep slopes to mow but no retention pond to worry about at the bottom. The guy in the video is right: it takes seat time to develop comfort with the Ventrac's steep slope capability. Just never, ever go on 30 degree slopes without duals and wear your safety belt because without it, you won't be able to stay in your seat! Prior to purchasing my Ventrac, I had demonstrations by some other leading brands. Some lost control and went down into the ditch below. Some others just took one look upon arriving, apologized and cancelled their appointment to demo. Some said just let it grow. No one felt it was safe to cut except with a weed whip, which a lawn service said they could do for $575 per cut. I also have the Ventrac heated cab and snowblower which both perform flawlessly no matter how cold the day or steep the snow here at 7600 feet above sea level atop a mountain in Colorado. Still another handy attachment I use is Ventrac's slip scoop.

[@217daryl]

That sure was a workout for Vinny! I don't think I would be that comfortable with someone else machine doing a job like that. Glad you were there and hope they get one of their own so it can be cut in a more timely fashion so they may enjoy other things!

[@erbliving6741]

Wifey here... well now you are making me feel better about getting one! ... or do you work for Ventrac???? : )

[@floydferguson5366]

Great video!

[@sixosixo]

The Ventrac is just an amazing machine. It’s really something to see it in action and actually doing jobs, rather than just some marketing video.

[@salmonhunter7414]

Really good test.

[@KubotaMonsterBX23S]

Super impressive machine.

[@theprojectcollector7260]

Being bailed out by a Kubota, ouch that must have hurt Tim!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Ah, the old Orange tractor saved the day! I’m thankful he had it out there!

[@robertbriones8342]

Come on people help tim get to one hundred thousand subscribers I told all my family and friends great video vinny sure can handle very steep slopes

[@nerrawdivad]

pretty tough machine, looks like you aren't babying it at all, doing a good job

[@fondy44]

Amazing!

[@MyHMMWVaddiction]

When he took that slide a certain part of his anatomy gobbled up that seat.😉

[@martineastburn3679]

I think if he had more aggressive wheel surface it might dig in and get it done. I think up/down in some areas is best. What a job to consider !

[@scottbehr5690]

Dang....my blood pressure went up 20 points watching this!....lol

[@bighosschewie1531]

love watching your videos you are aweasome i wanna get me one of these eventually

[@TractorTimewithTim]

You’ll love it! Incredibly versatile!

[@jeremysecrest7553]

This was a very interesting video. Thanks!

[@justinbeamon6624]

Wasn't much footage but the finish deck did excellent in the tall stuff! If he can do it at least semi regularly that would be my choice, or the fine flail which would leave a nice uniform cut and clippings.

[@charleswalton5115]

Great video

[@johniac7078]

The state of Massachusetts has a Vinney to cut the grass below the damn at the Quabbin Reservoir. Check it out on google earth!

[@mrvv8337]

The Harper Deweze are designed for mowing slopes. Pretty cool machine.

[@stewart51able]

That thing is a beast.

[@elijahcavin2408]

I need to add this to my list of equipment to buy.

[@jGoodloejr]

Bath & a burger time ! Lol

[@daveh4106]

The angle of repose for dry topsoil is 35-40 degrees, any steeper and it will slump. The way I understand it, most projects are planned with 1' rise per 3' run, or 18.4 degrees, or 1:2 would be 26.6 degrees. This maximizes volume while keeping the structure stable. (Maybe a CE can weigh in.) That may have informed the Ventrac design.

[@bryans5339]

I’ve been using a weedeater to cut slopes off of a private road on our farm for the past week. I’m hoping to have it all done by Memorial Day. I could afford a 4500 with a tough cut, but I would have to cut grass and brush for the public to pay that money back.

[@alphonsotate2982]

Ventrac is one of the best mowers you can own

[@shanerowland3715]

Picked mine up last year , Wondered how I got by without it !!!!! The dealership it came from told me that the more you mow with it the braver you get !!

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Congratulations! Yes, one gets more brave with experience!

[@mjd28784]

first :-) I love TTWT. I watch every video. Greetings from Germany

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Thanks for watching!

[@alrodriguez9527]

Get you one Brad 😁

[@erbliving6741]

He did and we work it!

[@cl18od6]

Love to watch you using "Vinny" especially on the side hills. Has Ventrac ever thought of and investigated wether a third wheel making it 6 wheels instead of four. I think it would widen out the center of gravity and maybe allow one to go on a bit steeper angle or maybe it woould help reduce slippage when on side hills such as you were cutting in this video Love and Peace. Blessed Be. Doug.

[@Mrbink01]

You start getting too wide and you have no down pressure to get the traction you need. You may feel like you aren't going to roll, but in reality you'll probably slide more. It also puts tremendous strain on your lugs and axles as well as greatly reduces your articulation and maneuverability.

[@junglejobs9590]

Doug, I have an 8 wheeler and it's fantastic 🇦🇺

[@carlosv4312]

Golf course has one and i must say mowing those slopes is a good way to loosen your bowels

[@eugeneherrelljr226]

Hmm that is a nice mower. But I use to operate a grounds master 322D for kenmure property in flat rock NC. I have had the 322D cutting a 90 degrees hill. That was only 3/4 of my deck. We also had more than 34 degree angle.

[@davidharris6581]

If there is one thing experience has taught me it is that anything that moves can turn over.

[@colincody5474]

Could have put the sicklebar mower on and get the cat tails or more of the tree line. But awesome video on how ventrac can make a hard job easier 👍🏼

[@brandonstadt6779]

The New Cubcudet should ride that perfect they even have one were the seat moves so you sit straight.

[@kwayne9846]

Maybe you can get and make a collage of tips from your viewers of how to do a lot of steep slopes using other EQ. I have seen and want to buy a property on a hill or side of a mountain that has been mowed before and when I get it don't want to worry bout tipping my tractor over. If I could see how people handle this it would help. Like I said before I now like the Bobcat Toolcart because two people can ride in it. How does it handle steep slopes. Can you add extra tires to it?

[@brucealvarez9263]

You and Brad can mow that tall stuff at the edge, you mow sliding down the hill, he pulls you up, repeat ;D The BIlly Goat looks just plain dangerous on the hill, seems like it could get the best of you pretty easy..

[@fiorevitola880]

I think the word Pucker power is right. I know I have been there!!

[@jonathanguess4052]

He needs to get one

[@danielh3324]

34 degrees has to do with the Mass wasting effect. If the slope is steeper then it can become naturally unstable. Just picked up a 2019 Kubota BX2680 with 130 hrs, 60" deck and QC Bucket Great little tractor so far, aside from the front tires. Already ruined a front R4 tire. Going to try some R3 style turf tires, if they don't work out then I will spend the money for the Versa trac. They looked like they performed great in the video with the Land Plane -Dan

[@dougpfaltzgraff]

In Kansas we call the rock with lime dust AB3

[@carjacker0]

I think this video just sold another 100 units for ventrac. Brad has just earned himself a big discount on a new machine.

[@erbliving6741]

Wifey here... I WISH! cause he's going for it!!!

[@jarrodbailey9102]

Hey Tim I watch all your videos. I think you do a really good job with your reviews. They are very detailed and to the point, I am down in Virginia in the mountains where we have steep grades like cant walk up steep grades. I would love to talk with you about a little invention that I have mocked up that will prevent turning over no matter how steep the incline is. It is for tractors, mowers and that ventrac would work also. I know im probably a nobody compared to you all but this invention could be the alternative to weed eaters and put them out of business. I would love for you to hear me out and see what you think. Good Videos keep them coming.

[@TractorTimewithTim]

Tim at tractortimewithtim dot com

[@bigchew3149]

well Tim.. i Bet You Thought The proverbial Sh** Was About To Get Deep For A Min Didnt Ya..LOL. Tht Was Funny as all get out..haha ! O and That Is The First Time I Have Ever Saw A VenTrack Get Stuck !

[@petenolte4192]

Tim's not going to the bathroom for awhile for that pucker factor. I wanted to see Christy get on that slope and see how much she screams lol it is almost Halloween

[@Wolfhound.]

and for my comment on ventrac i think it did great i do agree it needs a little more power on them steep slopes and maybe even a more aggressive tire on the steep slopes but im sure the tires slipping might be important dont want anyone getting braver then its tipping point

[@andrewjacques3960]

I wonder how that new 8' mower deck, that Ventrec will have out next year, would work out for this job?

[@flat4314]

I'm really curious how vinnie does on slopes compared to my tow behind atv brush Hogg.