Driving Tractor into Lake - Issues with Bearings?

[rmonio]

Well, nothing is frozen up here yet... In fact, the highs are going to be in the upper 70's this week.

So the bearings are sealed tight in the front? How would I know if there was an issue?

The lake bottom is hard sand - therefore I shouldn't sink too much and the water level is really low right now due to drought. I agree with the idea of having a tow strap ready for pulling out if things get bad, but I'm suspecting that it should be okay. I'll do a site survey when I get up there in another week and a half (no rain expected in the meantime) before I go out. I'll also bring extra grease and lube to take care of things once I'm done.

Thanks for the feedback, folks!

-Bob

BTW - MN isn't that bad when it comes to cold (I have block and hydraulic heaters in the 4600 just in case). I just wish we'd get a few feet of snow this year so I can actually play with my FEL.. last year was a big disappointment!

 

[yellowsocks93]

Yeah, we have not got any big snowfalls for some time now. Sucks for snomobiling. I have never considered a block/transmission heater since I find the tractors start fine without one even when its real cold. I just let the machine warm up for a few minutes. Especially did not need it today since it's 80 out. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[rmonio]

Don't discount the heaters - last year I did use them when it was REALLY cold. After consulting with some of the local farmers and construction guys, it was indicated that if you could afford to put them in then it was worth it. The wear and tear savings on the engine and hydraulics makes it a worthy investment.

Let's hope for more snow this year!

-Bob

 

[bigpete]

Grease BEFORE and after.

I know you are confident in the lake bottom, but, before I took my machine into the lake, I would take a 20-pound digging bar or old trailer axle and wander around the whole area I intended to work using the bar to poke around for potential wallows.

 

[rmonio]

Thanks for the feedback, Pete. I'll do that.

-Bob

 

[Soundguy]

Ditto on what everybody else said. If it is a sand/gravel bottom.. you are probably ok... just watch out for muck... I burried my 4wd NH 1920 up to the operators platform driving across a -dry- lake/floodplain once.. was a memory I don't relish.

Took a full size pickup with a tow strap, to pull me out. Had to dig out the tires and put the ramps from my trailers under them to get it out. Burrie dthe ramps about 2 ' deep. To keep with the 'mood' I had the usual ''slurrrrp' and had my shoes sucked off a few times.. had to dig those out too.

be carefull.

Soundguy

 

[5030]

rmonio:

This is my take on the scenario...

If your CUT is 4wd, I am not familiar with small Deere's (doe's), it would be just like a 4wd truck or for that matter, any differential.

You should NEVER submerge a differential past the centerline of the hub. Under no circumstances. If you submerge the differential past the centerline of the hub and the differential is even a few degrees warmer than ambient temperature, the cooler water will infiltrate the outer bearings and possibly the differential cavity due to the vacuum created by that temperature differential. I realize that there is a vent opening on the differential, but all you need is a tiny amount of water to destroy the bearings in the outer hubs. The water will contaminate the grease and will promote rust in the bearings. The worst case scenario would be to submerge the vent in the differential case at which point water would be introduced into the cavity and destroy the internal bearings and gears. Since you live in the north, below freezing temperatures will freeze the water in the case and in the contaminated grease.

If you got in deep enough, water ingestion by a naturally aspirated diesel engine is death. The engine will immediately hydro lock and will probably bend a rod or crack the head. If it was me, I'd forget the rocks and pour a concrete retaining wall.