My Stupid Problem

[Danno1]

I do not know what you would call them in the US, but I have a device called a Sylvester that was used down coal mines in the UK and operates with a lever pulling a chain along a bar a one inch notch at a time. Very slow, but very certain. And nobody is at risk after attaching the pulling chain to the tractor. You do still need the original chain tightened every time you reach the end of the bar.

OMD,

That sounds like we call a "come along".



.

 

[bcp]

...I have a device called a Sylvester...

 

[MH8675309]

That looks a bit like a fence stretcher. **** sinkholes anyway!!~

 

[Xfaxman]

.......................
I do not know what you would call them in the US, but I have a device called a Sylvester that was used down coal mines in the UK and operates with a lever pulling a chain along a bar a one inch notch at a time. Very slow, but very certain. And nobody is at risk after attaching the pulling chain to the tractor. You do still need the original chain tightened every time you reach the end of the bar. The only limitation is the "anchor" (like a big tree) and the strength of your pulling chain. I used it way back in the 1970s to haul a Fordson Major up an almost vertical 20ft cliff. I am sure you have similar things in the US. Best of luck - and think safe whatever you do.

OMD,

That sounds like we call a "come along".

.

My chain come-along.

JE Shaffer Co.

 

[GManBart]

Wow, that's a scary situation!

I would be worried that the sink hole extends a significant ways forward from the tractor. Even if it's not a true sink hole forward of the tractor, it could still be a very soft spot (with all the rain mentioned). I'd want any recovery machine as far away as reasonably possible. One wheel in the wrong place, and you've got two machines to extract.

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

call the national guard and make it a training mission to remove the tractor , i've looked at those pictures a 100 times and I'm willing to bet a dollar that is a drainage ditch that used to be used for the barn a couple hundred feet behind it , all the thicker foliage runs right up behind it and it seems to be pretty solid and dry in the pictures . I can't wait to see the 12 foot deep sink hole that tunnels under the tractor , That would be something different .

 

[TCJatko]

Hope you get your machinery out intact. Take plenty of pictures.

 

[Coyote machine]

If it were my tractor/mower I would at a minimum get a 3 ton chain hand crank winch to secure the mower to the nearby tree while it's still attached to the tractor. Then attach a winch or chain or both to whatever recovery vehicle is available and secure the tractor. Then separate the mower from the tractor if feasible; if not leave it attached and coordinate the tractor recovery with the comealong recovery of the mower.
Whatever you do be safe and take the necessary time to get the units out as best as possible.
I can attest to the power of a 3 ton chain comealong. I used the one I bought at a pawn shop for possible emergencies to pull my tractor/loader/and backhoe off the soft edge of my pond when I misjudged my maneuver to pull away from an area I had just filled in with material. I had to pull on the frame at the lowest point from a tree near the bank because the tractor was going to fall over sideways into the pond if I tried any other recovery. It is not fast, but it is effective.:thumbsup:
An example: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200485291_200485291

 

[OldMcDonald]

bcp, That is a Sylvester.

Danno1, MH8675309 and Xfaxman those "come alongs" and fence stretchers (I have two different makes of those come along type gadgets from different parts of the world) are just toys compared with the real thing. The main difference, as you can see from bcp's image is what is known as the Elliott block. The fence stretchers rely on hooks. If you are not familiar with a Sylvester then I suggest you ask bcp to explain it to you in American English. He will make a far better job of it than I could. A Sylvester is one of the world's most useful inventions.

Maybe I should not say this, but if you have ever read my book you would know that the one I have was considered by me to be the best legacy I ever received - and that was a long time ago.

As I posted earlier, the only limitations on moving objects are your anchor and the breaking strength of your chain. Think about it, one man can, and has on countless occasions, move several tons by his own power. The imprtant thing is that it is completely safe so long as you remember to keep tightening the safety chain.

I could tell you a story of soccer where the English centre forward used one in Woodhorn pit (where my father worked) only three hours before he was due to appear on the pitch, but it would be totally off-topic.

 

[Xfaxman]

bcp, That is a Sylvester.

Danno1, MH8675309 and Xfaxman those "come alongs" and fence stretchers (I have two different makes of those come along type gadgets from different parts of the world) are just toys compared with the real thing. The main difference, as you can see from bcp's image is what is known as the Elliott block. The fence stretchers rely on hooks. If you are not familiar with a Sylvester then I suggest you ask bcp to explain it to you in American English. He will make a far better job of it than I could. A Sylvester is one of the world's most useful inventions.
.........................
As I posted earlier, the only limitations on moving objects are your anchor and the breaking strength of your chain. Think about it, one man can, and has on countless occasions, move several tons by his own power. The imprtant thing is that it is completely safe so long as you remember to keep tightening the safety chain.

You can do the same thing with a farm jack. mine is rated at 7,000 pounds. Need a big chain !

Pictures from Google Image Search.