Stuck tractor - ways to lift?

[MNBobcat]

Hi Guys,

We have had rain 19 out of 21 weekends this year. Needless to say, places are wet that have never been wet before.

I had to get my field mowed and I managed to get my 3020 stuck while pulling the mower yesterday.

I tried pulling it with my skidsteer...no go. I'm going to need to get the rear wheels up and some planks under it. I prefer to lift it and add the planks if I can. I'll reserve chaining planks to the rear wheels for the last resort.

My question has to do with where its safe to lift on the tractor. Can I put the skidsteer bucket under the axle shaft (where it sticks outside of the wheels) and try lifting there or am I going to bend the axle? I can't imagine an axle that thick could bend but since I've never lifted a tractor I didn't want to assume I'm not going to cause damage. I doubt the skidsteer will lift it anyway, but it might.

The other thing I wondered about is placing a railroad tie under the hydraulic 3-point lift and then dropping the lift. Will that lift the tractor? I've never used the 3-point and really don't know how much downward force they have.

I do have a highboy jack and I have a lot of timbers and planks available. The problem is the axles are right down on the mud so getting under them with a jack would be a challenge.

One railroad tie under each wheel would get it up off the frame and then I'd be able to pull it out with another tractor.

 

[MikeInEburg]

The three point generally has mo down pressure. I would remove the mower and drag it out of the way. Then use combo of planks and skid loader to pull tractor backward. If you have fel, it can help push.
Good luck!

 

[MNBobcat]

I called the JD dealer and as I suspected they didn't recommend lifting on the outside of the axle shaft. I guess I'm going to have to get under the drawbar or under the axles and try and lift it from there.

 

[TripleR]

We had our CX80 stuck like this a couple of times and ran chains across the diameter of the tires then hooked chains to them that had been anchored, locked the differential and backed up winding the chains around the tires and pulling the tractor up and out. You can use boards, limbs, etc. under the chain if needed.

 

[Egon]

I called the JD dealer and as I suspected they didn't recommend lifting on the outside of the axle shaft.

Smart move.:thumbsup:

A spade some boards and a manual jack may be the easiest and do less damage.

If available pine or spruce branches make good padding on soft ground.

 

[RoadHogg]

I called the JD dealer and as I suspected they didn't recommend lifting on the outside of the axle shaft. I guess I'm going to have to get under the drawbar or under the axles and try and lift it from there.

So, are they saying a JD axle shaft is not strong enough to support the weight of the tractor?

 

[MNBobcat]

So, are they saying a JD axle shaft is not strong enough to support the weight of the tractor?

The dealer said they didn't think it would be good for the bearings on the axle.

The weight would all be put on one end of the axle shaft and at the outermost end of the axle. My tires are full of fluid.

 

[RoyJackson]

So, are they saying a JD axle shaft is not strong enough to support the weight of the tractor?

The drawbar bracket is the best place to lift the tractor.
As far as the response from the dealer...pretty smart, in fact. They can't give the OK to jacking a tractor in an uncontrolled environment. That would put any liability on them.
Now, if the OP paid the dealer to extract the tractor and they broke it...well, then it's on their dime.

I think TripleR posted the best method. I am kind of surprised no one has suggested using logs chained to the wheels yet.

So, I'll add a link to that YouTube vid:
YouTube - ‪Fordson tractor stuck in the mud‬‏

 

[RoadHogg]

The dealer said they didn't think it would be good for the bearings on the axle.

The weight would all be put on one end of the axle shaft and at the outermost end of the axle. My tires are full of fluid.

Ah. you can't lift close to the wheel? Fluid filled tires would have no effect on axle loads if you're lifting the axle. Lifting the axle would put no more load on the axle/bearing than the normal load the tractor places on it. Surely the axle can take the additional load of the fluid filled tire, especially if you lift near the wheel.

IMO, I don't think a dealer would ever tell you to go ahead, that places liability on them should anything ever go wrong. Even though they may be right, their response is probably meaningless because there is nothing else they can say.

 

[SLHawkins]

Absent a getting another vehicle close enough with a winch, TripleR probably has the most effective method yet. If there are any trees close and you have rope that is thick enough, tie the rope around the wheels (both wheels), through the spokes, and walk the tractor out backwards (in your lowest gear of course). If you have enough clearance, you can do the same on the axle itself and just let the rope wind itself around the axle as it pulls the tractor back. Of course, this requires two ropes. Just take your time and take it easy. Depending on how muddy your area is, you should only have go a few inches to a foot. Once you get the undercarriage clear, you are home free.

Hawk

 

[RoyJackson]

IMO, I don't think a dealer would ever tell you to go ahead, that places liability on them should anything ever go wrong. Even though they may be right, their response is probably meaningless because there is nothing else they can say.

The dealer knows his service techs and their competence. He doesn't know the typical owner and if the owner has any competence (including knowing when to stop!).

 

[RoadHogg]

The dealer knows his service techs and their competence. He doesn't know the typical owner and if the owner has any competence (including knowing when to stop!).

:thumbsup:

Well put.

Besides, if yer gonna screw something up, best choose something cheap...not an axle. For me, I'd lift the axle, but I haven't seen the tractor or situation.

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

you will need a chunk of wood something hard and tough like an oak a 4 by 6 maby 6 or 8 ft long or so and a chain for each tire. Chain the 4 by 6 to each tire allowing part of the 4 by 6 to go under the tractor. The simple procedure is you can drive but only till the lumber rotates to touch the tractor. Then remove and reposition. Understand you may break the the lumber and if you spin too far it may break some part on the tractor. Always works Always but has some danger.

 

[MNBobcat]

Its always better to err on the side of caution. I didn't know if the outer axle might be a standard way of lifting so that's why I asked and didn't assume.

I have a highboy and a floor jack which can both lift the tractor. Even 3 inches would be enough to slide a 2x12 under each rear tire. I have a couple that are about 12 feet long. I can get the front up using the FEL. I just need to get the back up to get some clearance.

My neighbor can pull me with his tractor, but unless I get those rear wheels up or positioned on a ramp for them to climb out I don't think he'll budge me. I'm going to have to go forward, not backwards.

 

[bigtiller]

Have you ever gotten your self stuck in the mud up to your ankles? You can't lift you foot straight up to get out, you have to raise your heel as if to take a step to get out. Same with the tractor, it won't come straight up and out.

That mud has a tight bond on your tractor. As deep as it is burried I think you will need to do some digging before it comes out without breaking anything.

Good luck and

 

[RoadHogg]

Have you ever gotten your self stuck in the mud up to your ankles? You can't lift you foot straight up to get out, you have to raise your heel as if to take a step to get out. Same with the tractor, it won't come straight up and out.

:ashamed:

Yes, I have. I've also had tractors bigger than the 3020 sunk up to the belly. My #1 approach is, find something else to do until things dry up some. That's not always an option though.

For me, I'd not hesitate, if need be, to lift any of the Case, IH, McCormick, Volvo, tractors I've ever owned by the axle in a case like this. I've never owned a JD though so I can't speak to this exact situation. I'm certain the JD dealer knows far better than I the stress points and capabilities of the JD tractor.

I hope you can get the machine out successfully without any damaged equipment or personnel. :thumbsup:

 

[MNBobcat]

Got 'er un-stuck. Thanks guys.

I used the FEL to lift the front tires off the ground as high as possible. When I did that, I discovered empty pockets under the rear tires. I dug those out enough to slide a 10 foot long 6x6 under the rear tires. I dropped the front end onto those same 6x6s and it actually lifted the back end up a little. Sort of like a teeter-totter. Then I used the curled bucket to help claw my way out.

 

[bigtiller]

That's great news! Sometimes luck is with us instead of fighting us.

 

[LBrown59]

We had our CX80 stuck like this a couple of times and ran chains across the diameter of the tires then
hooked chains to them that had been anchored, locked the differential and backed up winding the chains around the tires and pulling the tractor up and out.
You can use boards, limbs, etc. under the chain if needed.

I done that once with my Bolens tractor .
Worked like a charm .

 

[RickB]

The part about getting unstuck has been pretty well covered by others.
Next work on the concept of "having to mow" when you have no business driving your tractor in those areas. Keep out till it dries.