Usually I'm the one who buries tractors, but yesterday, I found out my daughter has been driving through the same ruts to keep from making new ruts when she goes out to feed. They've become deep enough for the belly of the tractor to bottom out in one place and she got stuck. Unfortunately I've got my other tractor taken apart so I had to use a truck. It took two long chains and a couple of tow straps to keep me on solid ground while I pulled her out. I've told her to not worry about the ruts.....just please don't do it again.
how do you get a tractor unstuck?
- Thread starter howardx
- Start date
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George2615
Super Member
Howardx,
Unless you have a small tractor, an ATV winch will be too small. For my purposes I bought a reasonably priced winch (actually bought 2) for around 300-350 each. One is an 8K the other 9K. Got them at HF on sale. I did mount one on my tilt bed trailer and the other on my gooseneck trailer. Mounting one permanently on your tractor would be OK providing when you do get stuck you can use the winch to pull in that direction. I want to be able to put the winch either in front or back depending on which way I need to pull so I have a 2" receiver in front and back of my tractor. I'm going to take the 9K winch and set it up to slide into these receivers as needed. I'll also be able to slide it into my truck receiver if needed too. There are winch plates made and sold that already have the 2" square tubing welded on but I already have the plate and only need to weld on and brace the 2" tube to the bottom of the plate.
John_bud,
I knew that by posting without pics someone would say it was me that got stuck. I will be sure to get them next time.
Unless you have a small tractor, an ATV winch will be too small. For my purposes I bought a reasonably priced winch (actually bought 2) for around 300-350 each. One is an 8K the other 9K. Got them at HF on sale. I did mount one on my tilt bed trailer and the other on my gooseneck trailer. Mounting one permanently on your tractor would be OK providing when you do get stuck you can use the winch to pull in that direction. I want to be able to put the winch either in front or back depending on which way I need to pull so I have a 2" receiver in front and back of my tractor. I'm going to take the 9K winch and set it up to slide into these receivers as needed. I'll also be able to slide it into my truck receiver if needed too. There are winch plates made and sold that already have the 2" square tubing welded on but I already have the plate and only need to weld on and brace the 2" tube to the bottom of the plate.
John_bud,
I knew that by posting without pics someone would say it was me that got stuck. I will be sure to get them next time.
George2615 (hee hee, hee hee!)
On topic, I forgot the best method of getting unstuck. When you realize you are in fact stuck, close your eyes and think back to what you were doing 1 minute before you got stuck. Go back in time and tell yourself not to do that!
When that doesn't work, and you have no pull vehicle, and there are no trees around to tie a chain or strap to and the FEL just sinks into the bottomless goo. There is something that works. First dig out all the dirt from under the tractor that may be high centering you. Then dig trenches behind the tires so the tractor does not have to go uphill. Get some branches or rocks or other materials that are solid and able to spread out the weight of the tractor and bury them flush in the bottom of the trenches. Then if you can back out or forward out thru your trenches, do that.
Still stuck? get some 2x4's and cut then to a couple inches wider than the tire, but not so wide as they would hit the fenders. Cut notches in the 2x4s on the outside edges. Strap them to the rear wheels with tie down ratchet straps with the strap going thru the notches. Use 2-4 per wheel. They will take quite a bite, and a lot of force is generated so you have to use a stout strap. Then back out thru the trenches you dug.
Still stuck? (man, you ARE in deep, eh!) Get a 4x4 or 6x6 that will span wider than the back wheels. Strap it to both wheels. You only get about 1/3 of a revolution, then you have to re-strap it again. But you can walk your way out of some nasty stuff. Be cautious with this one as the wood can damage a lot of stuff if you don't stop it !!!!
Still stuck? Either wait till it drys out or freezes and chip your way out or call in a D8 dozer. Might as well start in on that Snickers Bar, cuz you ain't going anywhere for a while!
jb
On topic, I forgot the best method of getting unstuck. When you realize you are in fact stuck, close your eyes and think back to what you were doing 1 minute before you got stuck. Go back in time and tell yourself not to do that!
When that doesn't work, and you have no pull vehicle, and there are no trees around to tie a chain or strap to and the FEL just sinks into the bottomless goo. There is something that works. First dig out all the dirt from under the tractor that may be high centering you. Then dig trenches behind the tires so the tractor does not have to go uphill. Get some branches or rocks or other materials that are solid and able to spread out the weight of the tractor and bury them flush in the bottom of the trenches. Then if you can back out or forward out thru your trenches, do that.
Still stuck? get some 2x4's and cut then to a couple inches wider than the tire, but not so wide as they would hit the fenders. Cut notches in the 2x4s on the outside edges. Strap them to the rear wheels with tie down ratchet straps with the strap going thru the notches. Use 2-4 per wheel. They will take quite a bite, and a lot of force is generated so you have to use a stout strap. Then back out thru the trenches you dug.
Still stuck? (man, you ARE in deep, eh!) Get a 4x4 or 6x6 that will span wider than the back wheels. Strap it to both wheels. You only get about 1/3 of a revolution, then you have to re-strap it again. But you can walk your way out of some nasty stuff. Be cautious with this one as the wood can damage a lot of stuff if you don't stop it !!!!
Still stuck? Either wait till it drys out or freezes and chip your way out or call in a D8 dozer. Might as well start in on that Snickers Bar, cuz you ain't going anywhere for a while!
jb
rdsaustintx
Veteran Member
john_bud said:
<shudder.exe>
teachdocs
Silver Member
The "power" dump position will definitely lift the front of the tractor. You can give that a try as you "walk" it out.