Using a tractor as a bulldozer

YuriM · Dec 23, 2009

Hi all!

I have a Kubota L4630 (47 hp) with FEL also from Kubota. I was wondering about whether I'd be able to use it as a bulldozer. There is a creek on my property that has burst its banks and is flooding a field. It is pretty shallow, at most 1 foot deep when the water is low. It burst its banks during high water, but after the water dropped, it is continuing to flow into the field, making the field unusable. I have been wondering if it would be possible to use the tractor to scoop/push some gravel from the old stream bed into the new, so as to simultaneously make the old stream bed deeper (and encourage water to go there) and block up the new stream bed.

My concerns are: would the loader bucket be able to handle it? It seems a lot flimsier than the buckets on bulldozers and it does not have any teeth. I have used it to dig up topsoil before, but that's a lot softer than gravel. Should I get teeth or a heavier duty bucket?

Anything else I should know about if I'm looking to attempt this? By the way, I'm not doing this until at least April. The stream currently has about 4" of ice on it

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Edited to add:
I will not be uprooting any trees.

JoeinTX · Dec 23, 2009

Yuri, I think some pics or something would help us here on the net to answer your question.

My initial response is that you aren't really using your rig as a bulldozer in the heavy duty sense..........you're just going to move some bed material to redirect the creek's flow. I don't hear anything wrong with that.

Do you have a rear blade or box blade to use in concert with the loader?

Topstrap · Dec 23, 2009

A piece of equipment will do more than it was intentionally designed for but it's up to the operator to learn it's upper limits. A good operator can finesse his equipment and extend it's capabilities but when doing that he's also very careful as to what can possibly go wrong by trying to go beyond its maximum ability.

With what you have planned, be sure to have a backup plan to pull it back out. Amazing how fast things turn bad when down around creek beds and water.

Have fun,

Merry Christmas

Topstrap

20 20 · Dec 23, 2009

1st comparing a dozer to a tractor is like comparing an airplane to a kite, would you fly on a kite

. I'm not saying you can't do what you want, just be carefull and take baby steps. How much dirt are you planning on moving? What is the soil like? You wrote there are no rootes, but what about other barriers you might encounter?

jpm · Dec 23, 2009

a excavator would be a much better tool. you would be on safe dry land instead of in a wet river bed. things can go bad real fast with water

bandit99 · Dec 23, 2009

Boy here in Maine you would be in huge trouble if anyone dropped a dime on you for disturbing the stream bed w/o the proper permits. I doubt if you could get permission. Don't think someone won't call to report you.

manganos · Dec 23, 2009

Rent the dozer and keep your Bota' as your tractor. I learned early on in the game that tractors are NOT dozers

nue2farm · Dec 23, 2009

I have a L3130 and have used it as you propose to use yours. Put a blade on the back to counter balance it a little. Run your bucket at a shallow angle until its full. You can adjust the load to what you and the tractor are comfortable with. Take it slow and easy and good luck.

jpm1 · Dec 23, 2009

No way would I put my wheel tractor in a creek bed. Rent a dozer or excavator for that job. Water can really play havic on seals in the tranny and front end. Dozers and excavators are made for exterme conditions, and I realize its a lot of money spent but. . . . the job will go quicker and the results will probably be a lot better in the end and best of all, you don't have to do the maintainence on the machine when your done. Just a little cleaning and greasing.
Becareful about treading through a creek cause the DEC frowns on stuff like that. I'de do a lot of inquiring before I commit to anything. Could save you a lot of head aches in the long run. Good Luck. . .John

BruceWard · Dec 23, 2009

An excavator or backhoe would be much better than a dozer for the job.

I am concerned that your tractor may not have enough traction to work in the stream bed.