Backhoe stuck on hill in mud

[oosik]

I have used a ship anchor as a anchor point. A chain from the anchor to the bucket on the fel. Continued flexing of the bucket & fel and reattachment of the chain as you progress forward or in your case as the backhoe pulls you back up the hill.

A note of caution - if you use an anchor - attach a 8' to 10' cable to the anchor and run the cable out in the direct opposite direction of the chain. This is for you to attach to and pull the deeply sunken anchor out after you get the tractor out.

 

[RDrancher]

I made a mistake is my first anchor post. The "v" should be pointed away from the machine. And to clarify, the bottom of the spikes should be towards the machine.

If you have a folding boat anchor available, it can also be used. At the correct angle, it will try to pull itself into the ground when pressure is applied.

Edit: I see oosik beat me to the point on that idea. :thumbsup:

 

[downsizingnow48]

You've already got a bunch of good suggestions to work with. I'll add my two cents. I would start by getting the front out of the mud. A couple 2x12s under the loader, push down, raise the front tires a bit. Push stuff under, do it again. Several times until undercarriage is out of the mud and tires are on top instead of under the ground. Then I would tackle the back. Same idea. Push down on hoe to get one tire up a bit, push stuff under. Then the other side. Do it all several times until rear tires are at least mostly above ground. Then set up any of the strap/chain/pull setups folks have described. You need everything going for you. Also, with everything above ground you might try swinging the tractor on the hoe again, it might work this time. Lastly, stay safe! Take it easy. Good luck.

 

[Egon]

Start cutting pine branches and build a road with them.

 

[Dave M7040]

As a novice, it is often a good idea to find an experienced backhoe operator when in a situation like yours.
You will be amazed what they can do without damaging the machine or getting you hurt with flying stuff.
Dave M7040

 

[Paul Thornton]

Good luck and keep us posted.

L2800 w/FEL - 72" Land Pride rake

 

[Citydude]

As a novice, it is often a good idea to find an experienced backhoe operator when in a situation like yours.
You will be amazed what they can do without damaging the machine or getting you hurt with flying stuff.
Dave M7040

Probably the best advice yet.

 

[dave1949]

I don't have anything to add about getting it unstuck. Experienced advice/help and getting the machine up in the air above the mud are two great suggestions.

I sort of wondered how and why you got to where you are. Is the new road where the tire tracks run above the backhoe bucket? With a wheeled machine, I would suggest you work from a stable platform that you build with the hoe as you go, and not get off that platform into the soft stuff. Ideally, and especially working alone with one piece of equipment, you would always have a roughed-in road behind you that a 4x4 truck at least could use to reach your machine.

A tracked excavator could/might usually go where you did and get back, wheeled machines are not that capable in soft conditions.

 

[dave1949]

That mucky stuff may have a "bottom" to it. If you dig down with the hoe you might find drier, more solid stuff. If so, and you get the machine up out of the muck, you could dig out, getting down to the solid stuff and piling the muck to the downhill side, a gently climbing track crossing the slope instead of straight up the slope.

 

[combover]

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.

Wow! I want to hug somebody! That worked out well on day three of attempts to get unstuck.
I used a 28k pound tow rope around the small pine trees.
The trees did sustain some damage, but did not budge, surprisingly.
It still took a significant amount of wood to raise the tires up out of the mud.
I did break one old tow strap in the process too.

When the tractor finally broke free, it easily climbed the dry grade.
I discovered the balance between too much and too little throttle.
Too little throttle, and the engine wants to die while pulling on the rope.
Too much throttle, and the tires want to spin and dig me in deeper.
Thank you again for the timely good advice all!