best/smallest machine to pull/push big trucks when wet?

[LD1]

I think we need a little more info.

You say you want something to push/pull equipment when wet.

Are we talking a little surface moisture on leaves and grass, sinking down a few inches and not being able to get out? Or are we talking burried to the axles?

And you dont list a location. Are we talking mountains? Or plains?

Having to drag 45000# up hill thats burried to the axles is a whole lot different than something that has sank a few inches on flat ground.

 

[RobS]

Mount a winch on the truck?

 

[RedNeckRacin]

I think you are looking at a D6 Sized machine and possibly mud boats to get the front end of the trucks sliding easier. I don't think a light duty winch is going to cut it. If you are drilling wells a dozer is almost mandatory anyways so get something big enough to do it. Also, throw in a grade and you are really going to need some grunt to get it done. We used to use a d-6 to pull loaded sand cans up the hill into locations and he had his hands full sometimes. Are the trucks chained up at all?

 

[justwater]

Thanks for the responses. We are in NE Fl. Pretty flat. We've been doing it 30+yrs, no drilling companies that I know of use dozers around here. It's not like the huge setups you see elsewhere. You just wait a few days to dry up enough to get in, just considering options being as I'm currently waiting. Not treacherous, usually existing/developed lots or fields in lower land muddy grass yards. Start spinning/sinking then you better drop water and pull it back out and give it a couple days

 

[justwater]

My cousin is a site prep contractor he tells me to get a dozer or shut up and wait. He's probably right, just looking for ideas i guess. Lol.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Have you ever tried locking in the differentials and using tire chains? I was picturing hilly land with clay that we have in PA and why I suggested a dozer of comparable size to the trucks. Its amazing how much pulling force it takes when things get mired up to the axles and beyond. I think the army had a rating system for that to get enough pull to be able to move a stuck vehicle. I really wouldn't think a backhoe would be that useful. They are generally good at getting themselves out but not the other way around.

 

[1stDeuce]

I did quite a bit of mobility work in a previous life, mostly for military applications, but also for Jeep and GM...
I know this is TBN, and you were asking about a machine to pull out stuck vehicles, but as an alternative, you might consider adding a CTI system to some of your trucks. The benefits of lowering tire pressure over soft terrain are HUGE, and can do an amazing amount for mobility.

You can stick a tandem truck in the sand at 110psi, and drop tire pressure to 30psi and drive out. In muddy conditions, dropping pressure before entering a soft area keeps the truck from rutting in as bad, and allows the tires to grip and keep moving the truck forward.

You can easily learn how effective it is by getting some air hoses on the trucks if you don't already have them. When conditions warrant, or you think the ground might be too soft, drop the tire pressure to 30psi. You'll probably be amazed at the difference in mobility.

Even if CTIS proves too expensive, and you're only trying to get a stuck truck free, dropping tire pressure on tires that are rutting through will make the process 10x easier, and anytime you can lower the winching forces, you're saving equipment. Sometimes getting a bigger dozer or winch or anchor only results in pulling axles off the stuck truck...

I have no affiliation with these guys, but they have decent demonstration vids...
TIREBOSS™ Mud, Sand & Snow Power Utility Demo - YouTube
Water and Vac Trucks Cutting Through Mud - YouTube


Just some food for thought...

 

[darmstrong2319]

Maybe add the thought of block and tackle to the equation if you have anchoring points

 

[gary49]

How about a surplus deuce and a half with a wrecker rig?

 

[justwater]

I used a am general 5 ton 6x6 as a water/support truck the last 11yrs. It's great, but still get weighted down and spin in soft stuff occasionally. I will never have anchor points when needed. Assume it's an open field with 0 trees.

My cousin thinks I should get something like a 450 to assist in and out. Says it would work for 9/10 of what I'd need and could pull with my 3/4 ton. I just don't want to break the bank on something that will barely get used.