Sometimes it all doesn't work out!

[rambler]

I enjoy these messages, and sympathize.

On the other hand, living in Minnesota on a farm where that really wasn't much of a snow - I have to admit I chuckle a lot when I see the TV or something like this thread. A little experience - like we get 5 months out of the year up here - and you learn what really stuck is.

I dug my big 2wd tractor out of a snowbank with a shovel in 20 minutes the other day - it was much more stuck than that loader tractor, and I didn't have a loader.

Thew problem is they high-center, so you have to dig a little snow out from under the rear axle so the wheels do something. That only takes 10-15 minutes - including getting the shovel.

Then clean out the snow from behind all 4 tires - only the wheel path. Only need a couple feet.

Then the bucket will walk it out of the icy spot it's spun on, and the diff lock will keep you moving backwards on the new footing & back onto the driveway.

The dually pickup was just a bad idea, they stay in the shed when it snows. Worst vehicle there is in winter.

Not trying to make light of the situation, I realize they are in a sistuation they are not familiar with & most don't have the equipment to deal with. Not luaghing about the hardships being faced.

Just - how that is just a common snowfall around here - and the snow doesn't go away, it just keeps piling up. We get to gain lots of experience & understanding on how to deal with snow.

As of 6:00pm tonite, we ar ein a winter storm warning through Tuesday noon. This is the 6th storm/ blizzard we've had, and darn sick of it. But, doesn't make the news - it's just how it is, typical. In town, can't see a car parked out on the curb - snow is piled up so high on the bulavards.

During the superbowl, they were flashing the early school closings for Monday morning.

Just another week.

--->Paul

--->Paul

 

[RoyJackson]

He may very well be correct, but you should be able to get it out with the bucket, even without putting it in gear. I guess it's possible the back end is bottoming out.

Not necessarily...
You need a fairly solid surface for the bucket to curl against...doesn't look like he's got a solid surface to work with. Also, if those rear tires (or tire) is dig in deep, it might be too much for the loader curl function.
Like buckeyefarmer, I got my 790 stuck on fairly level ground. I had to dig behind both front and rear right tires to get the tractor moving again...even using the loader to help push.

 

[ray66v]

Not necessarily...
You need a fairly solid surface for the bucket to curl against...doesn't look like he's got a solid surface to work with.

I don't know about the middle of the winter in Connecticut, but I know when the ground freezes down here, it is more than fairly solid.

I do understand what it takes to do this, I have do it all the time. My smaller tractor, with low ground clearance, is very susceptible to getting stuck when I leave the drive, to push piles of snow, or drifts.

In the photo, the snow in front of the tractor appears to not be disturbed. If one were trying to use the fel to push the tractor out, you would expect to see at least a depression of packed snow from doing so. That's why I asked.

 

[ovrszd]

I do that all the time pushing drifts back.

Curl the bucket down, put it on the ground, uncurl it, and repeat, until your out.

Yep, as long as he could stay out of the fence.

 

[ovrszd]

I run a grader on rural gravel roads. Every big snow I will find myself on the verge of getting stuck. I usually push at night and will lose track of where exactly the roadbed stops and the ditch starts. Last time I pushed my big "stuck" was that I backed into an unfrozen gateway and found myself sitting crossways in the road, buried to the top of the rear tires with the moldboard jammed into the roadbed in the raised position. Worst possible situation for a grader. Took me twenty minutes to get myself out. I never spun my tires more than one revolution in the entire process. Patience, patience, patience.

Once in a situation I STOP AND DO NOTHING until I've analyzed every step of the extraction.

For example, okay, first I'm gonna get the blade curled and firmly stuck into the ground and ready to push, then I'm gonna set the direction of my front tires, then I'm gonna make sure I've got the diff locked and 4wd engaged. Then I'm gonna very carefully start reverse wheel movement in time with blade push with the goal being to not spin. If I start to spin while curling with no tractor movement I immediately stop!!!! Don't want to spin a hole. Now, I reanalyze and pick a different method. I continue this process until I'm out.

Sometimes I might choose two or three methods before I get one that works. NEVER, NEVER do I just throw it in reverse and watch the wheels spin!!! All that does is make things worse. There is absolutely nothing gained by spinning tires and no vehicle movement.

I've pushed snow for 21 years and never have been pulled/stuck. I've always got myself out. Been in situations where the snow was piled higher than the grader roof around me and couldn't see any of the drive tires, still got myself out. It takes a lot of patience and careful methodical thought with each action. Makes a difference when you're not 100 yards from the warm house too. I'm usually in situations where the nearest help is a mile or more away. I've never made tracks in the snow walking for help. Now I've jinxed myself and will get stuck the next snow!!!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I've pushed snow for 21 years and never have been pulled/stuck. I've always got myself out. Been in situations where the snow was piled higher than the grader roof around me and couldn't see any of the drive tires, still got myself out. It takes a lot of patience and careful methodical thought with each action. Makes a difference when you're not 100 yards from the warm house too. I'm usually in situations where the nearest help is a mile or more away. I've never made tracks in the snow walking for help. Now I've jinxed myself and will get stuck the next snow!!!

You are not trying hard enough....

Chris

 

[bill in ny]

when plowing, if i have a choice, i always try to plow going up hill. if you go to far off of the driveway, it's a lot easier backing downhill.

 

[RoyJackson]

I don't know about the middle of the winter in Connecticut, but I know when the ground freezes down here, it is more than fairly solid.

I do understand what it takes to do this, I have do it all the time. My smaller tractor, with low ground clearance, is very susceptible to getting stuck when I leave the drive, to push piles of snow, or drifts.

Yes, when the ground is solid...might not have been in southern MD.
Anyway, when I got stuck last Saturday, I did push with the FEL (lots of experience doing that!!). But it's not going to help much until the rear tires are dug out (if they're buried). And, it took a while to get to that solid ground.
And, in the picture, it appears the ground slopes pretty severely in front of the tractor. His loader may be hitting the stops before the bucket is hitting solid ground.
One of the posts mentioned handling a tractor in crappy conditions is 60% operator. Yeah, I'd go with that...but learning to deal with being stuck and digging your way out is part of the learning curve. Ray has learned this, I've learned..and now ctgoldwing's son is learning.

 

[NuBota]

CT, wish I read this sooner - I pass through Upper Marlboro every day on my way to work (from Charles Co to Annapolis) - could have stopped by today to help pull stuff out

PG county did a terrible job on their roads - doesn't look like any were plowed Sunday - both lanes of Rt 301 were still 3-4" packed snow/ice this morning. Still untouched this afternoon so slush will freeze tonight and they're calling for another 4-8 inches tomorrow

Hopefully your son has had better luck since you posted last.....

 

[wedge40]

I enjoy these messages, and sympathize.

On the other hand, living in Minnesota on a farm where that really wasn't much of a snow - I have to admit I chuckle a lot when I see the TV or something like this thread. A little experience - like we get 5 months out of the year up here - and you learn what really stuck is.

I dug my big 2wd tractor out of a snowbank with a shovel in 20 minutes the other day - it was much more stuck than that loader tractor, and I didn't have a loader.

Thew problem is they high-center, so you have to dig a little snow out from under the rear axle so the wheels do something. That only takes 10-15 minutes - including getting the shovel.

Then clean out the snow from behind all 4 tires - only the wheel path. Only need a couple feet.

Then the bucket will walk it out of the icy spot it's spun on, and the diff lock will keep you moving backwards on the new footing & back onto the driveway.

The dually pickup was just a bad idea, they stay in the shed when it snows. Worst vehicle there is in winter.

Not trying to make light of the situation, I realize they are in a sistuation they are not familiar with & most don't have the equipment to deal with. Not luaghing about the hardships being faced.

Just - how that is just a common snowfall around here - and the snow doesn't go away, it just keeps piling up. We get to gain lots of experience & understanding on how to deal with snow.

As of 6:00pm tonite, we ar ein a winter storm warning through Tuesday noon. This is the 6th storm/ blizzard we've had, and darn sick of it. But, doesn't make the news - it's just how it is, typical. In town, can't see a car parked out on the curb - snow is piled up so high on the bulavards.

During the superbowl, they were flashing the early school closings for Monday morning.

Just another week.

--->Pa

I remember those days and now live in South Central Indiana. They forecast 2" of snow and all the bead and milk disappear from the shelves. I went to College in the UP and if they were predicting a heavy storm, 12" or more the only thing missing from the store shelves was beer. LOL
I'm still amazed at how easy it was to get around up there. But then again you never really drove on pavement, mainly a slurry of ice and sand.

As for the op. Best thing for snow is tall narrow tires.. Thats what they used in the UP. Forget the duallys they just ride up on the snow. Also a cheap thing to have around is a wench on the front of the truck and a bunch of chains. There are a couple of things a home owner can never have enough of chains and 2"x4".

Let us know how your son does with the extraction. You have another blizzard bearing down on you and it should be there tomorrow or Thursday.

I blame it all on Puxatony Phil.
Wedge