Can't get the L3130 to go forward OR backwards!

[geedub]

(click to enlarge)


Before you tease me too much I tried this at 4:30 in the morning during an all night attempt to save my 3 week old pond. We were 6 inches into a 9 inch rain event that lasted 3 days and I was exhausted and desperate.

The water started to run over the emergency spillway which is supposed to be stable and well planted, but mine is still soft and only has a very small rye shoots. When the water started spilling over it was concentrated in a very narrow path and I needed to level the spillway to minimize erosion. The new soil where I got stuck is only a few inches deep so I was hoping the original grade would support the tractor. Not even close. In front of the tractor you can see what I had to use.

One of my neighbors had a dam failure from all of this rain. Luckily my pond survived and after only three weeks since completion it's full!

 

[smfcpacfp]

I was joking going to say would it move sideways, but by the looks of things it could.

 

[cheesehead]

From the picture it doesn't look like you tried using the loader to walk the tractor out. This technique involves getting the bucket edge into the ground and curling the bucket while driving the wheels in the same direction.

 

[davitk]

Thanks for the pics, geedub, you gave me a grin to go with my morning coffee. Sorry it was at your expense. Your neighbor must be getting tired of pulling you out

Did you make the pond with your new 3130?

 

[geedub]

cheesehead, I did try using the fel to push out. It was like dipping into clam chowder.

I'm glad you enjoyed my pain davitk. It's funny that you mentioned my neighbor, he said he would come by yesterday and pull me out but instead he convinced me to join him at his pond to go fishing. He got there a minute ahead of me and promptly got stuck. The mowed area we usually drive on looked fine, but it was soaked and very soft. I've got 4WD and I saw his situation so I picked the highest ground and managed to keep traction. After we fished I had the pleasure of pulling this great neighbor out of the mud. Of course he'll try to pay me back 10 times for it.

 

[rpraymond]

I know it must be very frustrating now but just think of all the experience you're gaining in a short amount of time. Soon you'll be giving newbies advice!
Hang in there.

 

[geedub]

rpraymond, I never let ignorance stop me from giving advice.

 

[jmc]

geedub,


When I start to lose traction, I often forget to try the differential lock.

John

 

[geedub]

Thanks, jmc, I recently discovered the dif lock, but it did nothing to help me in this case.

 

[Mike058]

Stupid newbie question here. In this situation, does having the box blade on the back help or hinder? I know extra weight should provide more traction, but hasn't that boat already sailed? I mean, that mud looks like a wonderful lubricant and the amount of weight from the BB isn't going to help. Would removing extra weight make it easier to get the tires out of the mud? Or would it make any difference? Just curious.