Frozen In Time

[CBW1999]

Not trying to outdo myself, but I certainly find that i have unique ways of disabling my tractor.

This summer (before having the digital camera). I buried my tractor up to the axle in mud while working in the garden (trying to divert water)...then my pickup truck trying to pull out the tractor. All said and done, they were the only two things growing in the garden for almost a week!

What else might go wrong? I seem to have that type of luck....

I parked the tractor next to the driveway last week, just before leaving for vacation. Did it occur to me that we might have a thaw? Did it occur to me where the water might flow? Did it occur to me that we might have a deep freeze again? Did I think it remotely possible to freeze my FEL bucket in a block of ice?????

 

[radioman]

wow - that a bummer. thats quite a bit of ice around the bucket. Have you triedd moving it and see what happens ?

 

[hunterridgefarm]

Time to build a fire in the bucket.

Were you able to curl the bucket and brake free?

 

[Garpoonga]

DOH !!!!

 

[leonz]

Not trying to outdo myself, but I certainly find that i have unique ways of disabling my tractor.

This summer (before having the digital camera). I buried my tractor up to the axle in mud while working in the garden (trying to divert water)...then my pickup truck trying to pull out the tractor. All said and done, they were the only two things growing in the garden for almost a week!

What else might go wrong? I seem to have that type of luck....

I parked the tractor next to the driveway last week, just before leaving for vacation. Did it occur to me that we might have a thaw? Did it occur to me where the water might flow? Did it occur to me that we might have a deep freeze again? Did I think it remotely possible to freeze my FEL bucket in a block of ice?????

I have the same problem with cionder blocks I leave unattended
anyway a kerosene salamander will defrost your problem quickly and warm up your beast of burden. I would be very concerned about the guages and any possible moisture in any case.

I would very strongly caustion you to avoid moving the bucket at all as you may break a weld on the bucket itself.

leon

 

[CBW1999]

Aside from being lazy...errr.. to cold outside today to deal with it...I have not tried anything yet.

I had thought about dumping some salt around it and letting the sun/salt doe its work. Unfortunately, no sun today, below zero degrees.

I hadn't thought of building a small fire in the bucket (don't have a salamander). I wonder, if i use charcoal, and spread it out.....can i BBQ at the same time? might even be able to do a pig roast when i am able to lift the bucket

Radioman- Of many lessons learned, I actually thought of how I would look doing a "headstand" on the bucket with the tractor up in the air. Wasn't sure if I would post that under Owning/Operating or Safety...so I decided not to try it

I'll probably do the Charcoal thing tomorrow, employing the low and slow principle of grilling. I used to set the small table top grill under my Blazer when she would freeze up. We get a run of 40 below zero in the morning every year in late february.....ya think i would be prepared by now

 

[easygo]

I buried my tractor up to the axle in mud ...... then my pickup truck trying to pull out the tractor. All said and done, they were the only two things growing in the garden for almost a week!

Funny!!!! VERY FUNNY!!!!

I needed that thanks for the laugh.

 

[pdowling1]

That doesn't look so bad to me. I wouldn't hesitate to start it up & try a little "wiggle" of the curl lever. I bet you'd be amazed how easily it will come free. And as far as damaging the loader goes, it won't. It's a loader after all. You use it at it's limits everyday with no fear of hurting it. Be brave & try it. If the tires are locked tight in the ice, that is a different matter. The sun is your friend there, as the black tires absorb lots of solar energy that will melt a bit of ice right at the tire & it should come free on a sunny calm day.

 

[CBW1999]

No- tires are not frozen in the ice (now at least). I have to check the right front one though. it look like it may have broken the bead (I suspect it may have slid at some point- just enough to flex it) Doesn't look inflated at the moment.

If I cannot see the humor in what I do, then i wouldn't understand why i am being laughed at!

 

[megaboz]

I tried not to laugh, but it is funny. And in no way am I laughing at you, but I think it is funny to see a tractor engulfed in ice.

Reminds me of a time when I thought throwing salt (about 150 lbs all together) on a gravel driveway that had 3 inches of ice on it. It was cool until it started to warm up. One morning I got in my car, slammed the door, and then the car slammed. Puzzled about what could've hit my car, got out and looked, my car sunk to the frame. Spent three hrs trying to get it out of the myer I created. Didn't know salt could do that to clay at the time.

As for trying to break it free. I wouldn't reccommend it. Might not hurt anything, but I wouldn't chance it. The ICE has already put a strain (since ICE expands) on the welds and trying to bully it will only compound the issue. Might nto hurt the hydraulics, but the bucket might not take the strain.

You can rent those heaters at most rental places (Walmart sells a propane one, but at 0 degrees you might have a hard time getting propane to flow), I would do that and just make sure that you don't get anything that can melt to warm.

 

[number two]

Truckers use air brake antifreeze to keep/thaw their air brake systems working in the cold.Not very pricey and quite effective!A gallon or two,spread around as needed,would greatly improve your situation.Good Luck.

 

[KennyV]

The curl will break that ice ... no problem.

 

[john_bud]

The curl will break that ice ... no problem.

I don't agree. I've had things frozen to the ground here and they are stuck harder than cement. It's a different deal when the ice is 0F and lower. I had an old spare tire standing up that was ice bound once. Tried to pick it up with the FEL on the kubota. Didn't come out - not even close.

I would spread road salt around the bucket and get it out that way.


Next time, tip the bucket forward so only the cutting edge touches.

 

[Tig]

Shine a halogen spot light or two in and on the bucket. Tarp it over as best you can and wait. Or just wait for spring. It's probably too cold to snow now anyways.
My dug well froze last night. -18C and a driving north wind for the past two days. One halogen, a tarp and some patience. All better for now.

 

[CBW1999]

Waxman- I know of a similar accident where someone wrapped a chain around a post they wanted to pull out. They goosed it too much and pulled the tractor over backwards in the same manner you stated. Too much torque and somethings gonna move...Murphy's law will come into play then!

I usually do tip the bucket forward...not sure what was in my mind that kept me from doing it this time.

Unfortunately, because of where it is parked, I have to be careful of the dogs getting into anything i spread or pour. Even though the "salt" would work, given the flow of water and the metal being cold, I think I might just swap which end is frozen in

Tomorrow morning, out comes the charcoal! I'll post pictures of the BBQ pit after i get the bucket out

And please...everyone enjoy a good laugh out of this one Otherwise i would not have posted it for anyone to see

 

[Tig]

Check the weather report, I think mother nature will give her back before the weekend.

 

[J_J]

If you don't mind banging your bucket and ice with a sledge. That should loosen it up some , and then rev it up and curl fwd.

 

[john_bud]

If you don't mind banging your bucket and ice with a sledge. That should loosen it up some , and then rev it up and curl fwd.

I've seen guys with truck tires frozen down try the brute force route. Typically results in spinning the rim inside the tire and destroying the tire. On rare occasions, more than one tire. Also seen "genius" types use a sledge or splitting maul and slash the tires.

 

[BigD23]

Possibly would try a Bernzomatic torch, flame strategically placed of course.....Or, Just when we thought we'd thought of everything, seems like a good time to invent the FEL AutoThaw!

Don