Learned two very valuable lessons today.

[gregfender]

Lesson one: I weigh a lot less than my tractor.

There is a small creek / swampy area on my property that has been there since I was a tiny lad. In my 47 years it has always been swampy. One would think I would remember this not-so-insignificant fact. Having a new piece of equipment, however, tends to cloud the judgement. I think to myself, "4wd, small creek, no problem!" I dismount, walk to the edge, jump across, jump back, pace a few feet up and down and wouldn't you know it, it feels firm, my 230 lb. body doesn't even make a dent! Time to cross the creek...or more accurately, time to get halfway across the swampy morass before my tires start digging in. Axle deep. Four inches of wet, swamp mud coating the tires.

My next door neighbor happens to drive up. He shakes his head, gives me the "wow, what a dumb-a**" look, then drives back to his house. I should mention my next door neighbor is my Dad. :mur:

Yep, I'm feeling like an idiot now....but then:

Lesson two: I love my FEL

After considerable cussing, crying, praying, thinking hard enough to make my ears bleed, I began to asses the situation and thought..."hey - didn't I read on TBN about some resourceful folks who used the curl of their FEL to help unstick themselves?" I answered myself..."why yes, you certainly have read about some resourceful TBN'ers and their 'wonder-buckets!'" So with some careful loader maneuvering, I managed to push myself back far enough to get some traction and get out of the swamp.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Have a great day!

 

[k0ua]

Yep, that will do it. Sometimes. And sometimes you just dig a big hole out front of your tractor with the FEL, and watch it slowly fill with water. Glad you got out the easy way.
James K0UA

 

[boggen]

at least ya figured it out without the old man coming down and doing it for ya within a couple minutes. or needing an actual tow / drag out.

i will have to admit. if it wasn't for the backhoe and front loader bucket. i know i would be in a lot more trouble than you were in. just glad the backhoe had enough umph to pick the rear end completely off the ground. and move the rear end on good stable ground without doing a roll over. *cringes*

 

[TripleR]

The FEL can be a really useful tool to extricate yourself from the mud, just don't wait to long to use it.

There are other techniques involving logs or chains too.

 

[Zebrafive]

Did DAD come back to attempt a rescue or just leave you there? Or maybe with his video camera for "funniest home videos" :laughing:

 

[bigbull338]

i learned from my brother what will get you stuck bad fast,an i try to avoid that.because if theres a way to get stuck he will find it.the last time he got stuck he goes im stuck just a lil.so i call buddy with 4x4 tractor to pull him out.an he goes how bad is he stuck i go he says not to bad but i bet he is axel deep.friend pulls him out.an says yeah he was stuck good lolol.thats why i bought a 4x4 tractor last winter.

 

[Pooh_Bear]

I learned a long long time ago:
4 wheel drive is there to get you out of trouble, not into it.

(Same goes for steering brakes on a 2wd tractor)

Pooh Bear

 

[gregfender]

I learned a long long time ago:
4 wheel drive is there to get you out of trouble, not into it.

(Same goes for steering brakes on a 2wd tractor)

Pooh Bear

That is some good advice to follow! :thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

I learned a long long time ago:
4 wheel drive is there to get you out of trouble, not into it.

(Same goes for steering brakes on a 2wd tractor)

Pooh Bear

And I told my wife a long time ago...4WD (in a car or truck) is to make sure you get home...not to the mall.

 

[buck12]

Yep, that will do it. Sometimes. And sometimes you just dig a big hole out front of your tractor with the FEL, and watch it slowly fill with water. Glad you got out the easy way.
James K0UA

Been there done that and it is a sinking feeling

 

[RobertBrown]

I did the same thing this time last year and then again a month later when things got even drier. All I could think of was "how much would it cost to get a wrecker in here":confused2:

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Also a BH is good for the same use...

 

[RoyJackson]

Also a BH is good for the same use...

That's kind of an expensive option though...

 

[CompactTractorFan]

That's kind of an expensive option though...

That it is...:confused2: Just posted it for anyone reading this who had one (and a big wallet :laughing...:thumbsup:

 

[Usta]

Yup, the ol bucket curl. Saved my butt many a times.
Now that I think of it.... I needed it already three times this last weekend.
Having fun cutting a path through three feet of old snow on a down hill slope in an area impossible to get my truck near to pull out the tractor if need be.
Yup, the ol bucket curl. Saved my butt many a times.

 

[nybirdman]

All the places I have been with my tractor:the worst stuck was in my Yard!Right behind my garage...had the snow-plow and sub-frame on...also with ag tires.I was able to raise enough to crib underneath and remove myself.Spring conditions and a 4,000lb tractor.Filled the hole I created,what fun!Sh### happens.

 

[Dr_Zinj]

So who's put a 4x4 power winch on their tractor so they can snake themselves out of ruts like that?

 

[boggen]

200 foot of cable. to pull out the old allis chalmers CA, that had the belly mount mower on it. down in the pasture mowing, and didn't know about a small seepage was occurring on the hill. and sank the rear wheels clear down past axle within a minute. and only thing on the ground was the belly mower. due to the front wheels were up in the air! even if i had a FEL i would of still been stuck.

200 feet of cable. was needed to get the blazer in the pasture. were i could actually get traction and pull in correct direction. though before i could do that, i had to buy a farmers jack. and get lumber. to lift up tractor to get belly mower out. that took a half day of old shovel work. boy did i get, your suppose to walk everything before ya go in with a mower.

some times no matter what ya have or do, you are still going to get cooked! *laughs at himself*

 

[pat32rf]

At least once every winter I pull a little too far forward while moving my snow over the edge of the hill and have the front wheels find a soft spot in the pile (just over the edge).
If there is still enough snow in front, sometimes I get lucky and can back out by pushing down with the bucket (tobaggan style), but other times the pick-up winch is the only option....

 

[Gizmo2]

I learned a long long time ago:
4 wheel drive is there to get you out of trouble, not into it.

(Same goes for steering brakes on a 2wd tractor)

Pooh Bear

I would add, the Rear Differential Lock is there for the Oh S*** also.

Also a BH is good for the same use...

It's Better!