Using tractor in water - Bad idea?

[Pharm]

Hi Guys,

We've got a fairly large creek that runs thru our property that varies in width and depth depending on time of year. It has been dry lately so it is about 30 feet across and about 1 and 1/2 to 2 ft deep. Much of the year it is impassable due to rain.

When I can I put gravel down this time of year just to keep it from getting too muddy so my tractor doesn't get stuck crossing. I save a lot of time crossing at the creek - but I can go down the road to access the other side of our property... just takes a lot longer. A old farmer and friend of the family came by yesterday and said that a lot of times sand will get in the bearings when crossing the creek and I would do better keeping it out of there. I had not considered that before.

I've crossed the creek plenty of times on our Massey Ferguson 1080 with no problem - but I've just started doing it on the MX5100 Kubota 4wd that sits much lower. I'm now thinking maybe I need to be more careful. I'm kind of bummed out about it since the kubota has a front in loader and I can maintain the crossing with it much better.

Whats the risk of damaging my tractor if I just do it occasionally?

 

[RaydaKub]

Could you put in some culverts and still cross the creek dry?

 

[Egbert]

I'd have concern about that contamination in the bearings. It's probably safe enough, as long as the water is below your axles but that would be my limit.

 

[Pharm]

"Could you put in some culverts and still cross the creek dry?"

Not easily

 

[Gary Fowler]

I would get some coarse rock and backfill the creek with enough rock to make a low water crossing so that the water flowed across but not up past the axles of the tractor. That is what I did on the creek thru my place. Just make sure that the water is not backing up on someone else due to the damming. This shouldn't be a problem with raising the ground level a foot or so.

I don't think you would have any issue with crossing that as is occasionally as it seems to be clear flowing water so not likely to have a lot of sand in it.

 

[two_bit_score]

"Could you put in some culverts and still cross the creek dry?"

Not easily

View attachment 341604

Looks like a nice place for a bridge?

 

[pwright]

Why would your tractor be any more susceptible to getting water/sand in the bearings than any other vehicle?

 

[Pharm]

I don't think my tractor is more susceptible except that it is crossing the creek more than anything else. I had to replace the gears on an ATV transmission because it had dirt and sand in it from crossing this same area - and I thought ATV's were designed for that kind of thing. I had the ATV for 10 years before having any problem with it but I guess the creek finally took its toll. Don't want to have problems down the road with my tractor if I can prevent it in the first place. Like everything else you have to balance out use while trying not to abuse.

 

[Pharm]

I would get some coarse rock and backfill the creek with enough rock to make a low water crossing so that the water flowed across but not up past the axles of the tractor. That is what I did on the creek thru my place. Just make sure that the water is not backing up on someone else due to the damming. This shouldn't be a problem with raising the ground level a foot or so.

I don't think you would have any issue with crossing that as is occasionally as it seems to be clear flowing water so not likely to have a lot of sand in it.

I think this is what I'm going to do. We've had rock put down before but it tends to wash away eventually. I think I'm going to need bigger rock put down next time. I'm just wondering if I need to shy away from the creek all together and take the extra 20 minutes to go down the road and cross a highway bridge - at least with my Kubota MX 5100 which has a lower axle.

I would love a bridge but an adequate bridge would be $$$. This area tends to flood several times a year with a lot of debris floating in.

 

[duroc]

I don't think my tractor is more susceptible except that it is crossing the creek more than anything else. I had to replace the gears on an ATV transmission because it had dirt and sand in it from crossing this same area - and I thought ATV's were designed for that kind of thing. I had the ATV for 10 years before having any problem with it but I guess the creek finally took its toll. Don't want to have problems down the road with my tractor if I can prevent it in the first place. Like everything else you have to balance out use while trying not to abuse.

You just answered your own question. (bold print) As 'Egbert' said.. "It's probably safe enough, as long as the water is below your axles but that would be my limit."

Even at that, water could still enter unwanted areas. Just because there is a seal on a bearing, etc, does not guarantee there will not be any foreign intrusion. I know you know that, but sometimes we get caught up in our hopes/wishes, instead of reality... just sayin' :2cents:

 

[Utopia Texas]

The solution is simple. Buy a Kubota for each side of the creek? Tell your wife I said it was ok to do so!

 

[Gator6x4]

As others have said I would not worry about crossing the creek as long as you keep the water below the axles. Remember the front end if four wheel drive. Farmers years ago forged streams all the time with tractors.

 

[Sysop]

Farmers years ago forged streams all the time with tractors.

It was also their full time job (usually pulling "doubleshifts" 7 days a week), so an extra day spent on maintenance wasn't a huge concern.

Water should be avoided. Seals keep lubricating fluids where they need to be and help to prevent outside contamination of the lubricants. Water is much thinner than lubricants and the seals simply are not designed to keep water out when submerged. The tolerances required for the seals to seal the lubrication in and dirt out isn't not as tight as would be required to keep water out. To seal against water would require tighter tolerances and would wear faster.

Every manual for every type of gearbox I've read whether it's been a differential in an axle, or a transmission, or a transfer case; they've all said to change fluids after having the gearbox submerged to a certain level. With axles it is generally anytime water reaches the hubs.

For a bridge "on the cheap" you might be able to score a flatbed semi trailer that's seen it's last mile as a cargo hauler to use as the base framework (if it is long enough to make the span). Since you mention flooding I would likely make a small hill on each side and set good footings for it to anchor to that would keep it above the flood waters.

If you fill in with stone to make a shallow crossing, you will need to widen the creek also. Any filling you do will back up the creek unless you provide a path that can still move the same amount of water. If it needs to be shallow, it will need to be wide to move the same amount of water. I'd contact the local Army Corp of Engineers in your area, they will likely tell you the "dos and don'ts" associated with such a project. I'd avoid inquiring with local Department of Natural Resources or anyone like that, they generally don't want any changes made to waterways, legal or not. Army Corp of Engineers knows how to do such things within the guidelines of the law.

 

[GManBart]

We have a small creek that crosses the edge of our property, and splits the adjacent 5 acre parcel pretty close to the road. The owner looked into building on the property, had it tested, etc. He then found out that to build a bridge over that creek was going to be prohibitive, and there isn't enough room in front of the creek for a house. The creek is Great Lakes drainage, and the bridge has to be built to DOT standards...ouch. My other neighbor owns the lot across the street, and the creek crosses that as well....ten years ago he built a conforming bridge, and it cost him $10K...that would be double, or triple now.

 

[Dozernut]

I would be more concerned about going over the vent tubes on the differentials. A warm differential will let in water easier than a seal. 4 wheelers usually relocate the vent tubes to avoid this. Water in the pumpkin is real bad, especially in the winter when it freezes and expands.

 

[newbury]

Critical things like maintaining the original stream bed profile may be possible if you can "dredge" a path across the stream and refill the area with stone.

Be fully aware that as soon as you contact any authority you begin to lose the ability to say "Well sorry, I didn't know it was against the law"

 

[kebo]

Looks like a nice place for a bridge?

My EXACT thought!! That would be a great thread in the Projects forum, hint hint!!!! That's a pretty creek btw. I grew up playing in creeks (not quite that big!!) and I guess I have a fondness for being around them.

 

[EddieWalker]

I wouldn't bother with the expense or hassle of building your own bridge if you can just drive down to a perfectly good bridge already there. Since you are only concerned with crossing the creek when the water is low, I would just make sure that you have vent lines from your axles up higher then the water will ever get to. If you have greasable bearings, most tractors don't, then grease them after crossing the creek. Water in the bearings or in the oil inside your axles and differentials would cause excessive wear. If you can keep the water out, then it's nothing to think twice about.

Eddie

 

[Clint S]

How much do you cross?? If it is just an occasional crossing I would not worry about it if you do not go above the vent tubes. Water may be thinner than oil but It's not like you are parking it in the middle of the stream and leaving it there. How much water can enter a theoretically sealed unit in the very short time it takes to cross it. Like Eddie said check out the vents and know where they are. If you can raise the tube higher, all the better.

 

[3930dave]

As covered, getting water into differentials and other powertrain components is never good.

For things with grease fittings, consider a good marine grade of grease, if you aren't using this already. It is formulated to resist water washout and contamination more so than general purpose grease.

Rgds, D.