Backhoe stuck on hill in mud

[combover]

First time backhoe operator for home excavation.
Got road roughed in, everything pretty dry.
Then hit a soft spot, high ground water, front in deep to frame/axle.
Tried walking backhoe sideways, no movement, perhaps ground under hoe too loose.
Tried putting tractor in air with hoe, then pulling tractor up out of mud, backhoe suddenly tipped to one side excessively.
Limited good weather months here ... loosing valuable excavation time.

Case 580 SL with new tires and 4WD.
I read that some folks never get in a spot that they cannot get their backhoe out, so there is much I need to learn.
Suggestions welcome.

 

[tractorworks]

Overcoming the suction is hard to do. Steady pressure slowly increased helps. A heavy tow strap from anchor point to backhoe bucket-stretch it out then use front loader to help push out. (looks like you already tried pushing) You have a lot of weight to overcome in addition to suction from mud. If machine is operating properly you should be able to overcome both. Good luck.

 

[combover]

Thank you. There are three relatively small pine tress up from the tractor.
But I feared that the backhoe would do what it does best, pull the trees out of the ground.
So not sure what anchor I have available.

Overcoming the suction is hard to do. Steady pressure slowly increased helps. A heavy tow strap from anchor point to backhoe bucket-stretch it out then use front loader to help push out. (looks like you already tried pushing) You have a lot of weight to overcome in addition to suction from mud. If machine is operating properly you should be able to overcome both. Good luck.

 

[tractorworks]

You should be able to see pine start to move. Stop increasing pressure and use front loader. You need a strap or a strap and chain combo (not a chain by itself). Try getting something under loader bucket so you lift part way out to help break suction.

 

[Citydude]

Hey there. If you can lift the font up with the bucket, put some logs under the tires to get them from creating more drag and provide traction. Do the same with the back tires as well by lifting each side up with the hoe and placing logs under the. The pic looks like the grade is running downhill. Gravity is your friend going forward if the conditions get better in a few feet. Be careful!

 

[RDrancher]

I'd first try some dunnage (tree limbs, plywood, any old wood) underneath the outriggers to try to create some lift. Same thing under the loader and backhoe buckets. Backhoe bucket on the downhill side on the ground for safety of course. Then some dunnage under the tires if possible.

You can also drive three spikes driven into the ground in a "V" shape like an arrow pointed away from the machine. The spikes should be driven in at an angle towards the machine. Chain them all together and pull with the backhoe off a chain hooked to the center spike. Keep the outriggers and loader bucket low to the ground.

 

[combover]

Thank you.
Unfortunately, conditions get worse going forward, so I must go up hill.
Yes, I did put many small logs under all tires.
It appeared to help. moved about a foot up hill. then stopped.
Repeated with more logs, no movement.
Sounds like the strap may be the missing link to try.
I had a strap on site, just did not think that trees would hold it, will try today.

 

[combover]

Thank you.
Ground is very loose ... new road.
What types of spikes do you recommend, how long?

 

[RDrancher]

You can also use the spike idea with the loader bucket. Start with the bucket level and the chain tight. Curling the bucket will create forward movement a little at a time. You can also connect small trees together at the bottom like the spikes and try that as an anchor. Another way would be to run the chain under the tractor and chained to the backhoe bucket. Pushing with the backhoe will pull on the chain.

 

[RDrancher]

The spikes need to be as long as possible. You can use t-posts in a pinch driven as deep as you can get them, but the chain needs to be wrapped around them on the ground.

I've also used a strap around a spinning tire for a winch. This only works if you can lock the axle, otherwise the spinning energy will be transferred to the opposite tire.