Ice-Wheely

[Spencer]

Buck, We are all glad that you got your machine out safely.

If anybody can post a link to the previous post where RobS won the worst stuck award I would appreciate it.

 

[Inspector507]

Re: Ice-Wheely-SUCCESS!

Yep, THAT big boy would pull it out......./w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[RobS]

I can't remember a real "worst stuck" award, I just pulled that out of my axle. I wonder though, could we come up with a list of silly little awards and vote at the end of the year??? Maybe an autographed TBN hat to the winners??? What do you think Muhammad??? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Buck]

MossRoad,

I learned today that although the ice was indeed 5.5 inches, another factor comes to play in your formula. If there is snow on the surface, the ice can actually be very soft despite the ice depth. In my case there was about 9 inches of snow. The snow is an insulator that decreases the temperature gradiant from the water below the ice to the surface. This can make the ice much more weak.

Buck

 

[Buck]

MossRoad,

I took your advise to the JD dealership this afternoon. The mechanic said that the vent valve on the rear transmission is too high to be affected. He suggested that I let a little fluid out and see if there was a trace of water. I will do that tomorrow night as I could only change the oil tonight. He also suggested that I check the front axle fluid because the vent valve is lower.

Fortunatly the front axel was not submerged very long.

Good advice. I'll let you know if I find anything.

Buck

 

[kcbarnes]

Glad to see you out and things are OK, now we can get back to SmokyMtnMan's "bota" /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

 

[MossRoad]

<font color=blue>another factor comes to play in your formula</font color=blue>

Lots of factors indeed. That's why its just a rule of thumb. I've been on very hard 3 inch ice( even an inch and a half held me, barely, see above) and very weak 9-10 inch stuff. All depends on how it was formed. Snow makes for weaker ice, as does wind. The creepiest and strongest ice is the stuff that is totally clear, formed when no snow and no wind. I've only seen it once in my life. 10 inches thick and 22 degrees below zero F. No way to tell how thick it is with out drilling a hole. You can walk out on it, see the bottom, rocks, beer cans, tree stumps, weeds and you can't get near the fish. They see you coming and scatter. It's so clear you can't even see the ice. It is just like walking on water without getting wet. Very strange feeling.

 

[MossRoad]

Hey, glad you got it out! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I doubt it has any damage, but better to check, right?

Glad the dealer feels comfortable with the rear axle vent. That is what would worry me most. I don't know how the wheel bearings are set up on your tractor. Did the dealer say anything about those?

 

[Buck]

MossRoad,

The mechanic didn't say anything about the bearings and I didn't ask him. So it is still a good question. I'll call him in the next few days.

Thanks,

Buck