Stuck Tractor on Large Stump

[scrimshaw33]

I pushed a large stump in the woods out of the way to clear a trail with my FEL. The stump slipped under the FEL and now my front axel on the right side is sitting on the stump. The tractor is inclined towards the right and the tractor is raised on that side about a foot. The tractor engine shut off. When I turn the key the engine wants to turn over but it won't (all the electrical works). I wanted to start it so I could use the FEL to lift the tractor and pull the stump out, but now the engine won't turn over.

I hope I didn't mess anything up under the tractor which is why the engine's not turning over. I was wondering if the tractor just had some sort of safety mechanism preventing it from turning on since the tractor is raised off the ground on one side???

Any tips on removing the stump? I'm in the woods so am on soil. I don't have a jack but can buy one if there's something that will lift my tractor. It's an old rotted stump and I feel I can probably use a chainsaw to cut enough to break the stump up and get it out, but not completely sure.

I have a 4320 JD tractor. Thanks for any help.

 

[brin]

Using a chain saw and digging under the stump should work...with out seeing it, would you be able to dig out under the stump and keep digging and thereby lowering the stump until you tire was back down on the ground...? If you can get in there and safely cut away part of the stump it reduce the digging...Hope nothing got damaged...I'm sure you checked all your safety switches and everything is in neutral...right...?

I thought of something else....check and see how much diesel you have in your tank...could it be that the tractor is tilted so the fuel , if low enough, has run over to the low side of the tank and your tractor is not getting fuel...maybe just add more fuel...just a thought..

 

[scrimshaw33]

I'm new to "tractoring" refresh my memory as to what you mean by safety switches?

I didn't have it in neutral when I tried to restart, could that be it?

That's a good thought to dig as well didn't think of that, there's def. room to dig and chainsaw and then it will be a question of whether I can get it started. I'm home now, it's raining just need to get the wife to let me go back out Wanted to get some ideas before I did.

 

[blueriver]

I'm new to "tractoring" refresh my memory as to what you mean by safety switches?

I didn't have it in neutral when I tried to restart, could that be it?

That's a good thought to dig as well didn't think of that, there's def. room to dig and chainsaw and then it will be a question of whether I can get it started. I'm home now, it's raining just need to get the wife to let me go back out Wanted to get some ideas before I did.

Put it in nuetral and try again

 

[teg]

I'm new to "tractoring"...

Most of the safety switches will not let the tractor crank over... if it's cranking over but not catching, I'm thinking low fuel. If that is the case, you might have to bleed the fuel line.

Also, once it's started, did you try and use the differential lock to have both rear wheels spin?

...The tractor engine shut off...

Did it die fast like a kill switch? or did sputter out?

 

[scrimshaw33]

It sputtered out. Just got stump out. Fuel was 1/4 full or less going to get more. Where and how to bleed fuel line? Nothing appears loose under tractor.

 

[teg]

Service Engine - Bleeding

 

[brin]

It sputtered out. Just got stump out. Fuel was 1/4 full or less going to get more. Where and how to bleed fuel line? Nothing appears loose under tractor.

I am not familiar with your tractor but I will take a stab at it until someone else corrects me...find your fuel bowl and the fuel line leading into it..loosen that fuel line and turn the key turning over the engine until fuel flows clear of bubbles...you can catch the fuel in a container. Fill your tank first. Then tighten the fuel line back and you should be good to go.

Do not forget to put your transmission in neutral and your speed selector in neutral and be sure your PTO is not engaged and you are sitting on the seat of the tractor...I think it will work for you and then you can use your FEL to lift your front end and push yourself back off the stump, but before you do that , look again under your tractor in relation to the position of the stump and imagine the move your are going to make with your tractor to be sure there is no way any damage can be done to the oil pan , wires, hoses or anything else you see that could get crimped or damaged...good luck.

 

[sandman2234]

Best way to prevent damage to the tractor is to cut the stump out from under the tractor if you can do it safely. The tractor typically gets in the way of that "last cut" that you need to remove the stump, so look it over carefully before you attack it with a saw. Look the tractor over close while your under there. Something about this just doesn't sound right.
David from jax

 

[Johndeere3720]

If it ran out of fuel that is what it will do. Bleeding is not needed, it has an electric fuel injection pump, that is what the noise it when you first turn the key. I have ran a 3720 out of fuel and that fuel pump made it very easy start up when we refilled the tank. So, I would put fuel in it and try again.

 

[scrimshaw33]

Added fuel full still won't turn haven't bled fuel line though.

 

[Fordman1981]

I disagree with cutting the stupm.. yes it will be more safe for the tractor but more dangerous for you say your cutting the stump out and the tractor moves/falls on you. First I would get the tractor running lift the front end with the loader then pull the stump out or push back off of it with the loader.. and as far a filling with fuel you may need to cycle it several times to get fuel back in the line or bleed the line there should be a procedure in your manual how to bleed the fuel line if needed. Good luck

 

[scrimshaw33]

Guys, thanks for all the help, as I posted a few posts back: THE STUMP IS OUT; with chainsaw and shovel was able to get it out.

I bought tractor used so will have to look online for bleeding line. Had to come back home so could use my computer, been using iPhone in the woods, but doesn't work well for downloading PDFs so I'm going to see if I can learn how to bleed line and try that. To the previous poster (second to last), I did fill and tried starting w/o bleeding but that didn't work. I turned key for 10 seconds, a few times, but didn't want to stall out engine so stopped.

 

[sandman2234]

I disagree with cutting the stupm.. yes it will be more safe for the tractor but more dangerous for you say your cutting the stump out and the tractor moves/falls on you. First I would get the tractor running lift the front end with the loader then pull the stump out or push back off of it with the loader.. and as far a filling with fuel you may need to cycle it several times to get fuel back in the line or bleed the line there should be a procedure in your manual how to bleed the fuel line if needed. Good luck

Fordman,
I agree with you, but IF it were my tractor, I would take a saw and start whittling. However, I am pretty handy with a saw, and since the ground around here is FLAT, the only place the tractor would fall is down. It probably isn't very high off the ground anyway.Since the O/p has filled it up with diesel and tried to start it again without bleeding the lines (only making the problem worse), I can see that he probably hasn't run many diesels out of fuel and needs to read up on it before proceeding.
If the tractor ran out of fuel, read up on bleeding the system because anything you do out of order just adds to wear on the starter, drain on the battery, and blood pressure building. Even when done correctly, it can still be a pain in the tail, and please, please, please refrain from any comments suggesting starting it with ether. It might start it, but it won't be nice to your engine...

David from jax

 

[k0ua]

Well looks like he got the stump out, and TEG provided a link on how to bleed the fuel system..I will post it here also.:

Bleeding Fuel System

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Fuel vapors are explosive and flammable:
Do not smoke while handling fuel.
Keep fuel away from flames or sparks.
Shut off engine before servicing.
Cool engine before servicing.
Work in a well-ventilated area.
Clean up spilled fuel immediately.

Any time the fuel system has been opened up for service (lines disconnected or filter removed), it will be necessary to bleed air from the system.
NOTE: Fuel tank must be full of fuel before bleeding fuel system.

​

MX32641
1. Pump the hand primer (A) ten strokes.
2. Turn the air bleed valve (B) open to release air and then close it.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 two more times. You should feel pressure build up in the system.
4. Start the engine. If engine does not start, repeat steps 1 and 2.







Go bleed it and fire that bad boy up!


James K0UA

 

[scrimshaw33]

Thanks guys, looks like I don't even need tools to bleed it from diagram. Yes, STUMP IS OUT Wife won't let me go back out and play today so will repost tomorrow to let you know if it works. Thanks for all the help.

 

[blueriver]

Thanks guys, looks like I don't even need tools to bleed it from diagram. Yes, STUMP IS OUT Wife won't let me go back out and play today so will repost tomorrow to let you know if it works. Thanks for all the help.

LMAO ... "Wife won't let me go back out and play today"

 

[MarkV]

You guys really think with a 1/4 tank of fuel it ran itself dry? I go up hills or dirt piles where the front is a foot or better above the rear and have never seen that. I think there is something else.

MarkV

 

[teg]

You guys really think with a 1/4 tank of fuel it ran itself dry?

Not really but I have a guage that reads empty when it's only half empty. So the fuel gauge could be giving a false reading...

 

[Don87]

Mine will run out of fuel at just over 1/4 tank, if tractor is leaning to the right, and uphill at the same time.

I found that out by accident:laughing::laughing: