Backhoe stuck on hill in mud

[combover]

First time backhoe operator for home excavation.
Got road roughed in, everything pretty dry.
Then hit a soft spot, high ground water, front in deep to frame/axle.
Tried walking backhoe sideways, no movement, perhaps ground under hoe too loose.
Tried putting tractor in air with hoe, then pulling tractor up out of mud, backhoe suddenly tipped to one side excessively.
Limited good weather months here ... loosing valuable excavation time.

Case 580 SL with new tires and 4WD.
I read that some folks never get in a spot that they cannot get their backhoe out, so there is much I need to learn.
Suggestions welcome.

 

[tractorworks]

Overcoming the suction is hard to do. Steady pressure slowly increased helps. A heavy tow strap from anchor point to backhoe bucket-stretch it out then use front loader to help push out. (looks like you already tried pushing) You have a lot of weight to overcome in addition to suction from mud. If machine is operating properly you should be able to overcome both. Good luck.

 

[combover]

Thank you. There are three relatively small pine tress up from the tractor.
But I feared that the backhoe would do what it does best, pull the trees out of the ground.
So not sure what anchor I have available.

Overcoming the suction is hard to do. Steady pressure slowly increased helps. A heavy tow strap from anchor point to backhoe bucket-stretch it out then use front loader to help push out. (looks like you already tried pushing) You have a lot of weight to overcome in addition to suction from mud. If machine is operating properly you should be able to overcome both. Good luck.

 

[tractorworks]

You should be able to see pine start to move. Stop increasing pressure and use front loader. You need a strap or a strap and chain combo (not a chain by itself). Try getting something under loader bucket so you lift part way out to help break suction.

 

[Citydude]

Hey there. If you can lift the font up with the bucket, put some logs under the tires to get them from creating more drag and provide traction. Do the same with the back tires as well by lifting each side up with the hoe and placing logs under the. The pic looks like the grade is running downhill. Gravity is your friend going forward if the conditions get better in a few feet. Be careful!

 

[RDrancher]

I'd first try some dunnage (tree limbs, plywood, any old wood) underneath the outriggers to try to create some lift. Same thing under the loader and backhoe buckets. Backhoe bucket on the downhill side on the ground for safety of course. Then some dunnage under the tires if possible.

You can also drive three spikes driven into the ground in a "V" shape like an arrow pointed away from the machine. The spikes should be driven in at an angle towards the machine. Chain them all together and pull with the backhoe off a chain hooked to the center spike. Keep the outriggers and loader bucket low to the ground.

 

[combover]

Thank you.
Unfortunately, conditions get worse going forward, so I must go up hill.
Yes, I did put many small logs under all tires.
It appeared to help. moved about a foot up hill. then stopped.
Repeated with more logs, no movement.
Sounds like the strap may be the missing link to try.
I had a strap on site, just did not think that trees would hold it, will try today.

 

[combover]

Thank you.
Ground is very loose ... new road.
What types of spikes do you recommend, how long?

 

[RDrancher]

You can also use the spike idea with the loader bucket. Start with the bucket level and the chain tight. Curling the bucket will create forward movement a little at a time. You can also connect small trees together at the bottom like the spikes and try that as an anchor. Another way would be to run the chain under the tractor and chained to the backhoe bucket. Pushing with the backhoe will pull on the chain.

 

[RDrancher]

The spikes need to be as long as possible. You can use t-posts in a pinch driven as deep as you can get them, but the chain needs to be wrapped around them on the ground.

I've also used a strap around a spinning tire for a winch. This only works if you can lock the axle, otherwise the spinning energy will be transferred to the opposite tire.

 

[oosik]

I have used a ship anchor as a anchor point. A chain from the anchor to the bucket on the fel. Continued flexing of the bucket & fel and reattachment of the chain as you progress forward or in your case as the backhoe pulls you back up the hill.

A note of caution - if you use an anchor - attach a 8' to 10' cable to the anchor and run the cable out in the direct opposite direction of the chain. This is for you to attach to and pull the deeply sunken anchor out after you get the tractor out.

 

[RDrancher]

I made a mistake is my first anchor post. The "v" should be pointed away from the machine. And to clarify, the bottom of the spikes should be towards the machine.

If you have a folding boat anchor available, it can also be used. At the correct angle, it will try to pull itself into the ground when pressure is applied.

Edit: I see oosik beat me to the point on that idea. :thumbsup:

 

[downsizingnow48]

You've already got a bunch of good suggestions to work with. I'll add my two cents. I would start by getting the front out of the mud. A couple 2x12s under the loader, push down, raise the front tires a bit. Push stuff under, do it again. Several times until undercarriage is out of the mud and tires are on top instead of under the ground. Then I would tackle the back. Same idea. Push down on hoe to get one tire up a bit, push stuff under. Then the other side. Do it all several times until rear tires are at least mostly above ground. Then set up any of the strap/chain/pull setups folks have described. You need everything going for you. Also, with everything above ground you might try swinging the tractor on the hoe again, it might work this time. Lastly, stay safe! Take it easy. Good luck.

 

[Egon]

Start cutting pine branches and build a road with them.

 

[Dave M7040]

As a novice, it is often a good idea to find an experienced backhoe operator when in a situation like yours.
You will be amazed what they can do without damaging the machine or getting you hurt with flying stuff.
Dave M7040

 

[Paul Thornton]

Good luck and keep us posted.

L2800 w/FEL - 72" Land Pride rake

 

[Citydude]

As a novice, it is often a good idea to find an experienced backhoe operator when in a situation like yours.
You will be amazed what they can do without damaging the machine or getting you hurt with flying stuff.
Dave M7040

Probably the best advice yet.

 

[dave1949]

I don't have anything to add about getting it unstuck. Experienced advice/help and getting the machine up in the air above the mud are two great suggestions.

I sort of wondered how and why you got to where you are. Is the new road where the tire tracks run above the backhoe bucket? With a wheeled machine, I would suggest you work from a stable platform that you build with the hoe as you go, and not get off that platform into the soft stuff. Ideally, and especially working alone with one piece of equipment, you would always have a roughed-in road behind you that a 4x4 truck at least could use to reach your machine.

A tracked excavator could/might usually go where you did and get back, wheeled machines are not that capable in soft conditions.

 

[dave1949]

That mucky stuff may have a "bottom" to it. If you dig down with the hoe you might find drier, more solid stuff. If so, and you get the machine up out of the muck, you could dig out, getting down to the solid stuff and piling the muck to the downhill side, a gently climbing track crossing the slope instead of straight up the slope.

 

[combover]

Overcoming the suction is hard to do. Steady pressure slowly increased helps. A heavy tow strap from anchor point to backhoe bucket-stretch it out then use front loader to help push out. (looks like you already tried pushing) You have a lot of weight to overcome in addition to suction from mud. If machine is operating properly you should be able to overcome both. Good luck.

Wow! I want to hug somebody! That worked out well on day three of attempts to get unstuck.
I used a 28k pound tow rope around the small pine trees.
The trees did sustain some damage, but did not budge, surprisingly.
It still took a significant amount of wood to raise the tires up out of the mud.
I did break one old tow strap in the process too.

When the tractor finally broke free, it easily climbed the dry grade.
I discovered the balance between too much and too little throttle.
Too little throttle, and the engine wants to die while pulling on the rope.
Too much throttle, and the tires want to spin and dig me in deeper.
Thank you again for the timely good advice all!