Working in a stream bed

robison · Jul 10, 2005

Take a small stream flowing to a low dam for what used to be a 2-foot-deep trout pond. Stream has silted up to where there is now a 10 foot wide island in the middle and two 6-foot-wide corridors of stream on either side, maybe 1-1.5 feet deep at most.

Can I go in there with my Deere 4510 and use the loader to scoop the silt from the island and simply build up the shores a bit with it, thereby converting it back into a shallow pond?

How deep a water can I work a tractor like a 4510 in safely? I do not think it will sink more than 5-6 inches into the sand but I have no real idea how deep a water depth these machines can work with.

I can do this at low water but it never dries up.

And with regard to the obvious question of getting stuck, I have a truck with a strong winch available to help the tractor out if it needs it.

I know a backhoe might do this better, and I could consider that but I don't presently have one and I do have the loader. It seems like the loader could make short work of the necessary dirt moving if not for the water.

EddieWalker · Jul 10, 2005

Funny thing about working in wet conditions, is you never really know what's underneath you. Even if you can see the bottom, you still are gambleing on the conditions of the soil.

A stuck tractor might be a simple pull on your winch, or it might be a nightmare beyond compare. Only you can make that call, but if it was me, I'd go for it.

Ease in real slow and see what happens. Start out in 2 wheel drive. If you start to lose traction, put it in 4wheel drive and get out.

Your bucket will also help push you back you better then your tires. Just lower your bucket, lift your tires, and push off. I will go anywhere in my tractor as long as I can push out with my bucket.

If you have good traction, then the FEL might be the perfect tool for the job. Of course, the fish wont be too happy with you silting it all up, but that will pass.

And if you get really, really stuck, take pictures!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Boomerang1 · Jul 10, 2005

If you go into water that is higher than the axles, make sure the axles are cooled down first. A hot axle will suck in water past the seals. Run a rubber hose from the axle vents up to the frame if you go in the water that deep.

dknarnd · Jul 11, 2005

There is a similar pond as you describe on my land where the stream runs into it. It has been very dry in my area this year and the stream has dried up so I decided to drive my ATV across there yesterday. Well It's a good thing I have a winch on it! From years of silt filtering into it it is very deep and soft.

I would ease into it! And take photos for us /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

GaryM · Jul 12, 2005

Yep! Looking forward to the pictures. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

BigAl · Jul 12, 2005

One reply I have not seen is approval of the Foresty dept . Around here ,if you get caught working in any stream that connects to the river system and you do not have prior approval ,you can pretty much write off owning a tractor /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif. The fine ,you will pay , will cause you to sell it to pay off the fine ! Can you divert the water around the pond , let it dry up and then dig it deeper ? Good luck .
Allen

oliver28472 · Jul 12, 2005

Agreed. This thread has lots of potential. Don't try this without a digital camera.

LarryRB · Jul 12, 2005

towns in Massachusetts pay very big dollars for silt to install on municipal ball fields. If it is true silt and not a mish mash of everything, a call to the local recreation committee and they making a call to the local highway dept may have that silt removed for free...

AntrimMan · Jul 12, 2005

First you need to own the land completely surrounding the pond. You may find that you don't own the land under the water. Then you have to beg permission to do something with it. Don't ya just love goverment.
If the DEP gets wind of this they will take a dim view if you don't have a permit number posted. You don't want the DEP pissed at you, they can make life miserable. Downstream neighbors can make life difficult also if they don't like you 'cause your activity is gonna silt up their ponds. Maybe you could go after the upstream source that silted yours up in the first place. Just explore all the possibilities before beginning.
On the QT you could call in a (friendly)septic pumper at night and suck the spoils out using the hose.
Take before, during and after pics to entertain the boys, keeping in mind that tractors that work in watery situations have big high flotation tires.
All the best, and pics are a must.
Martin

GAFarmer2 · Jul 12, 2005

If I was you, I would first try to drive an ATV through there. It would give you an idea of how "silty" it is. Then, if it is ok, take it real easy and try it. Post some pictures and let us know how it's going. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif