If a dozer gets stuck ......

Larry_Van_Horn · Apr 21, 2004

If a dozer gets stuck in the middle of a field and noone is around to hear it does it really make a sound???? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

OK here is the challenge: You have a 15,000 pound dozer stuck in the mud in the middle of a field. It is stuck up to the middle of the tracks. There isn't a tree or other solid structure around for more than 100 yards.

Your resources:
Dozer has a winch on the back
TC40D
Case 580D Backhoe (2WD gets stuck easy)
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Play the free the dozer game and win fabulous prizes!!!!
(prizes are not fabulous)- how would you do it?

Larry

shoppintractors · Apr 21, 2004

I need a picture to get a real good visual of this dilemma.

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Don

pekabu · Apr 21, 2004

Plant flowers around it.

Larry_Van_Horn · Apr 21, 2004

Don,
SO would I if it wasn't dark, and raining like the dickens. They'll be pictures to document my stupidity and the first time I got it stuck just wait.
L

nobull1 · Apr 21, 2004

Build a road if possible with the backhoe to the dozer than you can dig out the dozer.Like was already said a pic would be nice.This idea could work but might be stupid when you see a pic . I would think if the dozer drove in recently you should be able to get the backhoe in without too much trouble and make a road for the dozer to back out.Once unstuck should be not problem to get both out of the field.The winch and the backhoe "could help" but if you don't know how to go about it I'm not getting involved /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif someone or somethig could get hurt bad /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif All this depends on soil weather location etc hard to give info without pic's

nobull1 · Apr 21, 2004

Raining like the dickens = not good. Pic's get more important all the time.Sooner rather than later. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Slamfire · Apr 21, 2004

I remember the township sticking one in a snowdrift that was up to the peak of the barn roof. They sent a tank retreiver that also disappeared. They were lucky, spring freed both pieces of equipment. Just how you can solve your problem is harder to imagine. A crane to lift it out perhaps? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

nobull1 · Apr 21, 2004

If water getting down by the dozer is a concern and by digging a ditch across the top side or whatever is possible.I would be out there now /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gifYou really don't want water running down your dozer tracks and making a bad story a nightmare.

rjp444us · Apr 21, 2004

Here's one that will do the trick "C4". Dig under the dozer and stick C4 and a cap to the center of the bottom of the dozer. Pop the cap and out she comes works every time...

KAB · Apr 21, 2004

Maybe a call to a Tractor Trailer recovery service.

Taylortractornut · Apr 21, 2004

pole it out I got a D5B stuck in a spring once dad had come cack to work after heart surgery and couldnt help but he told me how to get it out. when he was 16 he started on a dozer hed get stuck by hisself and have to pole the machine out. you cut a few trees about a foot wider than your tracks and lay one at the back of your final drives. take a chain and measure off enough to loop arond one end of the log and another n around the other end. then take the chain ends and hook them throught the egaps in the track pads. the link behind them should keep them under locked in. you may want to lay one log about 1/3 of the distance of the track behind the first log. Get on the machine then raise blade and put it in reverse. Ease out on it if its a straight shift and the same if its a torque drive. ti shouldpull the log under. 8 inch logs doo good on the size machin. when it gets 1/3 under themachine if its not moving repaet the process it should jack the machine out of the hole or back on firm ground. We use cheap chai3/8ths chain so it will beak before the finals break. also we let the blade trunions unhook the logs for us. It works goob tu tas some chain and also alot of sweat if you cant tote the logs by machine. Wht isthe make of the machine you have stuck.

Hank_Kimball · Apr 21, 2004

Is this the place you got the dozer stuck ???

txdon · Apr 21, 2004

Does it look like this stuck dozer ?
Answer: Two Monster Machines and one muddy owner ? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Larry_Van_Horn · Apr 21, 2004

The machine is JD 450BC. I am looking out back and see it through the flashes of lightining and rain. I appreciate all the thoughts here (some seem a bit unnerving to be honest). I am thinking about pacing off the distance to the nearest tree in the morning and see exactly how much chain I might need to take it to the trunk. I figure I have about 75' of cable on the rear winch. To me the least "exciting" mean of doing this would be to run a chain and cable to the nearest tree and bring the winch in while the dozer is in reverse. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

PineRidge · Apr 21, 2004

Larry we got one stuck at the neighbors big time when he was building his pond a couple of years back. We used his old tractor and FEL to haul large pieces of firewood to the stuck beast. We would then get the tracks going in reverse and feed in the lumber under the tracks. We kept adding it (a lot of it) until the dozer finally decided to back its way out of the mud. We celebrated with a 12 pack, it was Miller time! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

AndyMA · Apr 21, 2004

Fortunately a 450 isn't that big of dozer so the tractor and winch has a chance. I'd wait until it drys out some and then try either the winch tractor pull or both. Logs to lift it up would also help. If I was nearby with my 44,000 lb excavator you'd be out in 20 minutes. Getting somebody to come in for an hour wouldn't be that bad and is a safe way.
Good luck

Andy

AndyMA · Apr 21, 2004

Larry

If you park the 580 and stab what ever it has into the gound you may be able to use it to winch from and get enough assistance to get you out.

Andy

Tractors4u · Apr 21, 2004

I stuck my 9000lb D20 Komatsu last month. It sat in a ditch in the mud for a week before I could get back to it. We were preparing to tie off to a pair of trees and winch it out when a guy pulled up and said, "you stuck?" It was all I could do not to say, "here's your sign". When I saw him coming I told my buddy unless this guy has something to pull me out I would rather he just keep on moving. He said I have a Deere 4020 that will get it out. About 15 minutes later he was back with the Deere. He parked it on a gravel driveway, hooked up the chain and commenced to pull the dozer uphill and he just barely spun when he eased out on the clutch.

Larry_Van_Horn · Apr 21, 2004

Andy,
I was kind of thinking about that as well, back the backhoe up somewhere where the ground is pretty solid, dig a bit of a hole, achor the bucket in it and drop the stabilizers. Worth a try maybe.
Would be nice if you were a bit closer.
Lar

Larry_Van_Horn · Apr 21, 2004

Brent,
I was waiting for you to chime in here, and at the very least make me feel better by letting me know that you have gotten stuck too. Thanks for coming through! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Sure is easier if the tractor gets stuck and the dozer is free.
Lar