How to get unstuck from snowbank?

[Ken P]

Folks -

I managed to get my Kubota B2410 stuck in a snowbank of sorts today, dug it out with a shovel, but have seen a number of mentions of using the BH to get unstuck, and was wondering if someone wouldn't mind describing this for a newbie.

What I was doing was to snowblow a path around the house, which I've been doing with each snowfall this winter. It makes it easier for my dogs, especially our older girl Roberta, to get around outside. (We've had a pretty good amount of snow this year - for CT, anyway - and there's a crust which sometimes holds them up, and sometimes doesn't, so it can be hard for the old girl).

Anyhow, the path starts and ends at our driveway, which I'd already cleared. As I was just getting back to the driveway, the tractor slid a bit sideways so it was into the snowbank next to the path, and then it was stuck. I was in 4wd. I tried using the differential lock, but the tractor moved even less with that engaged (without it I could rock it a bit), which seems odd to me.

By the time I gave up trying to move, there was snow and ice packed in around and underneath. I dug around the wheels, then tried to get out as much of the stuff packed in underneath as I could, then lifted the front end of the tractor up by pushing the blower down, cleared some more, and was then able to rock the tractor a bit and drive out. All the while, I'm looking at the backhoe and wondering if I should somehow be using that to maybe lift the rear and move it over a bit?

Anyhow - if there was an easier way to use the tractor to get itself out, my back would love to know for next time.

Thanks -

Ken

 

[RalphVa]

I got stuck about 3 times when turning to the side to dump FEL's full of snow in last winter's big dump on us. For 2 of these, I was able to lower the FEL with its leading edge down. Then I just curled it up with a gentle simulataneous push on the "rear" pedal of the HST. On one of these, it didn't work. I had to dig away some snow.

Other times, just using the diff lock worked to get me unstuck.

Ralph

 

[Gordon Gould]

Folks -

I managed to get my Kubota B2410 stuck in a snowbank of sorts today, dug it out with a shovel, but have seen a number of mentions of using the BH to get unstuck, and was wondering if someone wouldn't mind describing this for a newbie.

What I was doing was to snowblow a path around the house, which I've been doing with each snowfall this winter. It makes it easier for my dogs, especially our older girl Roberta, to get around outside. (We've had a pretty good amount of snow this year - for CT, anyway - and there's a crust which sometimes holds them up, and sometimes doesn't, so it can be hard for the old girl).

Anyhow, the path starts and ends at our driveway, which I'd already cleared. As I was just getting back to the driveway, the tractor slid a bit sideways so it was into the snowbank next to the path, and then it was stuck. I was in 4wd. I tried using the differential lock, but the tractor moved even less with that engaged (without it I could rock it a bit), which seems odd to me.

By the time I gave up trying to move, there was snow and ice packed in around and underneath. I dug around the wheels, then tried to get out as much of the stuff packed in underneath as I could, then lifted the front end of the tractor up by pushing the blower down, cleared some more, and was then able to rock the tractor a bit and drive out. All the while, I'm looking at the backhoe and wondering if I should somehow be using that to maybe lift the rear and move it over a bit?Anyhow - if there was an easier way to use the tractor to get itself out, my back would love to know for next time.

Thanks -

Ken

I think you answered your own question. Or use it as a claw or a pusher however you can get a grip. Just be careful and move slowly.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

To get unstuck from a snow bank with a BH, all you have to do is put it down to lift the tractor and "walk" the tractor forward.

 

[dave1949]

To get unstuck from a snow bank with a BH, all you have to do is put it down to lift the tractor and "walk" the tractor forward.

That often works. You can also use the BH as a hydraulic come-along if there is a tree or something nearby to put a chain around. Extend the digger arm, attach chain to tree and BH bucket, then pull the tractor toward the tree using the BH hydraulics.

Dave.

 

[jake98]

To get unstuck from a snow bank with a BH, all you have to do is put it down to lift the tractor and "walk" the tractor forward.

If you're even stucker, sometimes you can push with the dipper stick while dumping with the front bucket curl to get your fronts out. I never did it in snow, but in the muck it works like magic sometimes. Just be careful and leave your out-riggers partially out there if you're lifting/pushing with the BH, it gets tippy.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Just be careful and leave your out-riggers partially out there if you're lifting/pushing with the BH, it gets tippy.

Yeah, I left that part out...

 

[Will_C]

I have gotten a backhoe unstuck from mid many times by pushing and pulling with the FEL and the BH many times. I watched my dad walk a hoe over 100 yards through a muddy farm field when he installing tile ditch.

Will

 

[ljellio]

Should be able to set the hoe over with the BH also sometimes just outing the hoe out a bit shifts the weight to the rare enough to get a bite.

 

[Ken P]

I get it now. I had only thought of using the BH to lift the rear, and wasn't entirely sure what I would do after that.

Thanks all.

Ken

 

[Boeing]

Quick question fellas....I often head down narrow logging trails keeping them semi clean for deer hunting. I worry that if the engine quit and would not restart or stuck with no front end loader help. I could not get a truck to it for rescue. Do any of you install/add elect winches on your tractors? Do you think it would be good insurance or a waste of time/money. I see that most ATV's have winches......

 

[dave1949]

Quick question fellas....I often head down narrow logging trails keeping them semi clean for deer hunting. I worry that if the engine quit and would not restart or stuck with no front end loader help. I could not get a truck to it for rescue. Do any of you install/add elect winches on your tractors? Do you think it would be good insurance or a waste of time/money. I see that most ATV's have winches......

If that's the only reason you would need an elec. winch, then that's expensive insurance. You can get the same insurance from a much cheaper mechanical come-along rated heavy enough for your tractor.
Dave.

 

[wvpolekat]

If that's the only reason you would need an elec. winch, then that's expensive insurance. You can get the same insurance from a much cheaper mechanical come-along rated heavy enough for your tractor.
Dave.

That's why you get an ATV and put a winch on it. But, unless you are just barely stuck, most ATV winches won't have the power to pull it out. And, the ATV would more than likely have to be chained to a tree or something to prevent it from sliding.

My ATV winch is rated for 3000 lbs. With a snatch block, you could get up to 6,000 lbs of pull. Better than nothing, but it won't help if you really get in a bind.

 

[wetstuff]

Old school -no FEL or BH- we always carried a big bag of Kitty Litter back in Wisconsin. Magic on ice. Useless in mud.

Jim

 

[Don87]

Old school -no FEL or BH- we always carried a big bag of Kitty Litter back in Wisconsin. Magic on ice. Useless in mud.

Jim

Kitty litter was totally useless, in Jersey on Tuesday, with my tractor trailer.

The litter just slid on the ice, was unreal what I had to go thru to get unloaded there.

 

[reichebrown]

I got my jd 2305 stuck is the swamp this summer well at least it was a part I didnt think was swamp. It ended up being a fine ballet between the FEL BH and the reverse pedal to get the thing out of the hole I was in. Take your time and be gentle. The machine will only do what it wants to do.

 

[dave1949]

That's why you get an ATV and put a winch on it. But, unless you are just barely stuck, most ATV winches won't have the power to pull it out. And, the ATV would more than likely have to be chained to a tree or something to prevent it from sliding.

My ATV winch is rated for 3000 lbs. With a snatch block, you could get up to 6,000 lbs of pull. Better than nothing, but it won't help if you really get in a bind.

So you are saying he should get a self-propelled winch?
Dave.

 

[wvpolekat]

So you are saying he should get a self-propelled winch?
Dave.

EXACTLY. The ATV is simply a mobile winch and tractor recovery platform.

 

[Don87]

So you are saying he should get a self-propelled winch?
Dave.

Maybe a skyhook

 

[JoelD]

Just get a portable 12v winch I've had one for years cost 49 bucks and pulls 2k which is not bad unless you are flat panned then you talking serious pulling required