My truck is in the ditch!

Looking4new · Dec 29, 2016

aczlan said:
Could be. Just wanted to point out that tracks aren't the be-all-end-all for working on ice and I thought a drifting dozer showed that well

Aaron Z

It did.

MossRoad · Dec 29, 2016

aczlan said:
Could be. Just wanted to point out that tracks aren't the be-all-end-all for working on ice and I thought a drifting dozer showed that well

Aaron Z

Yes, it showed it very well. I've seen tracked excavators slide a lot on ice. Any regular person would assume they'd work great.... then you see this huge machine sliding down a very shallow slope. Kinda scary.

bcp · Dec 29, 2016

D-10 on ice.

Excavator.
Excavator drifting on ice!!! - YouTube

Bruce

Cougsfan · Dec 29, 2016

Thanks for all the input. I will be back home from sunny, warm, Southern California this weekend. Our football team lost

I will re-assess the situation with the truck. I understand we got some warmth in Eastern Wash, and a bit of thawing. I hope it will help.

Removing the plow sounds like a good idea, but from experience of putting it on and taking it off many times, I think it would be a big mistake to try to take it off where it sets. That thing is HEAVY. You have to have it just so on a concrete pad to get it to release freely. Both sides would have to be unlatched at exactly the same time or it would probably hopelessly bind in the mount that didn't unlatch, and the whole magnitude of problem would intensify with a half attached plow. And I wouldn't want to be around it if it did unlatch, even if it was jacked up or supported with a FEL and chains.

I will take some pictures and go down to the local tow shop and see what they think. I think TEG is right. Can't be much worse than a Semi Tractor/trailer in the ditch. I also think Leonz is right in that the block and tackle equipment I have been thinking about is too lightweight.

Cougsfan · Dec 29, 2016

By the way, my 50 hp tractor just spun it's wheels on the surface while the 100 hp (I am told) dug holes with it's wheels. I don't think either have the required Omph to do the job.

airbiscuit · Dec 29, 2016

I think a towing company will know if they can do it. If yes, that's a good thing as they have probably had lots of experience with how things at odd angles move when pulled on. If not, it will be hydraulics or a winch that get you out.

Hydraulics:
Excavator
Front End Loader

Winch
Cable Skidder

In any case, adding some grip to the ice will help. Lots of sand or ashes. Crushed oyster shells (poultry grit) are great because they have sharp edges.

Good Luck!

dragoneggs · Dec 30, 2016

Hey Cougsfan... sorry about your truck and your team. Being a Husky alum I don't often root for the Cougs but I did send my daughter and sent enough personal checks over there for 4 years! Keep us posted and pics, please. Go Dawgs... beat Bama!

crazyal · Dec 30, 2016

Without actually seeing a picture the advice is going to be more general than specific. What I can tell you is snow makes it much easier to pull tires sideways. I personally would try to find a way to get an anchor to pull from so you can pull the front back onto the road. I'm not sure if I would use a tractor as an anchor as once attached if things go wrong it could drag your tractor with it. If the ground isn't frozen (if it is you'll most likely have to bust through it but it could help the anchor) then a land anchor would most likely be what you want. If you have access to a welder and a set of torches you can make one pretty easily.

oosik · Dec 30, 2016

When we were 4 wheeling' in Alaska - we would always carry a double fluke boat anchor with a "pull out" cable. There were very few trees that could provide a good anchor point. Just hammer the flukes into the ground - attach the winch line and "pull" will bury the anchor. The "pull out" cable was used get the anchor out of its buried position without having to dig it out. Provides an excellent anchor point for a Warn 10,000# winch.