BobRip
Elite Member
Well, I got really stuck today. There was a heavy rain of about an inch. I was checking out the creek and noticed that the old beaver dam was making the creek back up and flow where I did not want it to go. When the water had gone down some, I took the 422 and 4 in 1 bucket down and tried to break up the dam. This did not work too well and I felt that I was in danger of getting stuck. I came back later with the minihoe mounted. This is the best attachment to have if you anticipate getting stuck (at least it had always worked before). I took a few bites out of the dam and a little water started to flow. I tried to back up and all wheels started to spin. No problem, I'll just use the minihoe to push the 422 backwards. This helped a little, but the minihoe bucket sunk into the mud and other mud built up behind the back wheels. After working with the minihoe for about 15 minutes, I decided to get out the come along. I connected one of my tow straps to a nearby tree and the other to the hitch. I then tried tightening the come along as much as possible and then got in and tried to back out. With the help of the minihoe I moved a little. I got out, tightened the come along, tried again, and was able to move a few more inches. I was getting pretty close to the tree with the strap, and I did not want to be stuck against it. I then moved the tow straps to a more distant tree, one where the 422 would be pulled sideways. I also put some logs behind the front wheels, there were deep ruts in there by now. I tightened the come along, I then put a 2 foot long 6X6 under the strap near the back of the power track. This way when you tighten the strap the 422 is lifted up. This worked and I was able to get out on the next come along tightening. Here are my recomendations.
1. Stay out of the swamp (you've been stuck there before, so why keep trying).
2. Raise the strap at the tree about six feet off of the ground. This way some of the pull is up. Pulling straight back will not work. Don't pull the tree over on you though.
3. Put a board or log under the strap near the 422 after the initial tightening.
4. Get a friend to tighten the come along while you drive. This would have been a big help, but my nearest neighbor did not answer the telephone and my wife has a weak back.
5. Make the strap a long as possible so when you move back a little, there is still tension. With a short strap to a nearby tree even a little movement removes all of the tension.
6. Try not to spin the wheels, this just digs you deeper.
7. Hose the tractor off because it is really muddy by now.
8. Take some pictures after the tractor is out, because it's raining and you want to get the tractor out before it washes down stream.
9. Buy a come along and at least two 30 foot tow straps.
10. I wonder if a really strong coiled spring in the line would allow for tension to remain over a longer backing distance. Of course the energy stored is this could be fatal if something breaks loose.
I hope this helps the next stuckee.
Bob Rip
1. Stay out of the swamp (you've been stuck there before, so why keep trying).
2. Raise the strap at the tree about six feet off of the ground. This way some of the pull is up. Pulling straight back will not work. Don't pull the tree over on you though.
3. Put a board or log under the strap near the 422 after the initial tightening.
4. Get a friend to tighten the come along while you drive. This would have been a big help, but my nearest neighbor did not answer the telephone and my wife has a weak back.
5. Make the strap a long as possible so when you move back a little, there is still tension. With a short strap to a nearby tree even a little movement removes all of the tension.
6. Try not to spin the wheels, this just digs you deeper.
7. Hose the tractor off because it is really muddy by now.
8. Take some pictures after the tractor is out, because it's raining and you want to get the tractor out before it washes down stream.
9. Buy a come along and at least two 30 foot tow straps.
10. I wonder if a really strong coiled spring in the line would allow for tension to remain over a longer backing distance. Of course the energy stored is this could be fatal if something breaks loose.
I hope this helps the next stuckee.
Bob Rip
