It wasn't my day to die

[captbluewater]

Great photos

I've been to Costa Rica...my favorite country in Central America.. nice people, best ethics I've found in Central America, particularly in the country, IMHO. Have been to many locations there. Haven't been deep sea fishing there...hear it is simply fabulous! Caught a peacock bass in lake Arinal ...

My 4wd lever is well below driver's seat and requires significant effort and intentionality to reach and typically won't get out of 4wd unless you rotate the front wheels while engine is running AND seeking to change its position.

Is your tractor HST or geared? Would transmission type have made a difference, or is the surface so loose that once starting the slide the wheels lost their grip and no traction was possible, regardless of gearing?

Fishing and Calm seas here is what brought my boss and his boat down here. But this season so far is the worst in the 8 yrs that I have been here. Back to tractor it is HST.My lever is below drivers seat but I think when I swivel seat around and go to backhoe position the lever can be accidently moved. I do not know if this was my problem but when I went the next day to check tractor out it was not in 4wd. But I could have hit it as I was getting off the tractor after the accident. It was kind of aukward at that angle.

 

[DiskDoctr]

Wow. Yep, time for a little something extra in the offering plate this week, eh?

Once you start moving like that, hitting brakes abruptly can cause the front end to rise even more, gotta ease them on.

1. You stayed straight instead of panic turning and rolling sideways.

2. You stayed on the machine. More people get killed trying to bail than letting the iron protect you. I know that's tough when it seems like everything is in slow motion, but stay in your safety cage and brace yourself.

3. You knew when to walk away. Sometimes you just gotta turn off the key and take a break. If the tractor HAS to be recovered immediately or something done to prevent further damage, CALL A FRIEND to come over and help. When in shock is not the time to make risky decisions. Good call.


What else can one say? We all need a wakeup call sometimes. I've had mine. You've just been tagged

- JC

 

[jlrsn]

Back to tractor it is HST.

I might be wrong but my understanding is that all Kubota L39 Tractors have GST (Shuttle Glide Shift) Transmissions. The control to put the tractor in 4WD is below the seat on the left side up against the bulkhead and is set up to where if you accidentally step on it will put it in 4WD. You have to lift it up to put it in 2WD.

No matter what position it was in you kept your cool as after seeing the pictures it could have rolled if you didn't keep it straight!! Did you ever install the winch that you were contemplating a while back?
Jim

 

[pitt_md]

Well i am glad your going to live to fight another day. This should be added to the very long thread about HST vs. gear and safty on hills etc...

 

[captbluewater]

I might be wrong but my understanding is that all Kubota L39 Tractors have GST (Shuttle Glide Shift) Transmissions. The control to put the tractor in 4WD is below the seat on the left side up against the bulkhead and is set up to where if you accidentally step on it will put it in 4WD. You have to lift it up to put it in 2WD.

No matter what position it was in you kept your cool as after seeing the pictures it could have rolled if you didn't keep it straight!! Did you ever install the winch that you were contemplating a while back?
Jim

You are correct about GST my mistake. I have not installed winch yet. I got the holes drilled but did not install winch because I have guest from my boss's company here fishing a couple days. They leave on Sunday so I plan to get tractor out on Monday. I got email from friend today saying he was getting my hydraulic lines fix for me. I never even ask him to do it. I will try to take pictures of the process to get tractor out. Will post next week.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Go out and buy some lottery tickets because you are one lucky SOB!!!

Chris

 

[RadarTech]

ya know I am with TEG..
I never come out of 4x4....


It looks like I will be buying some new front tires before long!


glad ur ok...

Be Careful out there!


J

 

[jlrsn]

I look forward to the pictures!! A winch installed on your front loader would sure help now. My favorite gear out of 12 Forward GST Gears to get your L39 out is Forward Gear #1. It's very slow but I even use it every time I've got to pull my way out on ice, snow, or mud without chains and with my R4 tires in 4WD. The wheels are rotating too slow to slip!
Awaiting more updates,
Jim

 

[jlrsn]

In looking at your pictures again in picture #3 it looks like that first berm is where you cut a road in the past. Without a winch and with your backhoe inop that berm would be tough to climb past unless its a road. You could use a block and tackle and pull yourself up from tree to tree. I definitely want to see your recovery pictures. As a video training aid we might request when you are back on top to re-enact the ride backwards....NOT :confused2:
Good luck,
Jim

 

[DiskDoctr]

Wait- the tractor is still in the spot?!

What is on top of the hill? Can you get a 4x4 truck or something up there? If so, straps and chains to the top and tug it.

Attach the chains to the bucket (wrap around) and secure any chains with not only the hook, but a bolt or rope wrapped around the hook to hold it in place if the chain goes slack.

Also secure the end to the truck the ssame way.

By pulling from the top of the hill and using the bucket on the tractor you can adjust the leverage from the front to rear tires (bucket higher=lifts rear of tractor and more weight on front and vice-versa).

Make sure you can trust the person at the top. Have at least one or two spotters along the hill and near the tractor. Walkie talkies are good to have, and agree on hand signals ahead of time.

If the truck has to go down the other side of the hill (not sure of your layout there), you can use a log as a rub for the chain, rope, or strap so it doesn't dig into the ground. Just be aware of how much it will rub/wear.

Dang. If you were closer, I'd come by to help. These things can be tricky as it looks like a lot of loose dirt. Whatever you do, be very careful.

Note: recovery work is tricky and dangerous. If you or your helpers don't feel comfortable with it, don't do it. If a buddy has a dozer nearby...

- JC

 

[captbluewater]

Wait- the tractor is still in the spot?!

What is on top of the hill? Can you get a 4x4 truck or something up there? If so, straps and chains to the top and tug it.

Attach the chains to the bucket (wrap around) and secure any chains with not only the hook, but a bolt or rope wrapped around the hook to hold it in place if the chain goes slack.

Also secure the end to the truck the ssame way.

By pulling from the top of the hill and using the bucket on the tractor you can adjust the leverage from the front to rear tires (bucket higher=lifts rear of tractor and more weight on front and vice-versa).

Make sure you can trust the person at the top. Have at least one or two spotters along the hill and near the tractor. Walkie talkies are good to have, and agree on hand signals ahead of time.

If the truck has to go down the other side of the hill (not sure of your layout there), you can use a log as a rub for the chain, rope, or strap so it doesn't dig into the ground. Just be aware of how much it will rub/wear.

Dang. If you were closer, I'd come by to help. These things can be tricky as it looks like a lot of loose dirt. Whatever you do, be very careful.

Note: recovery work is tricky and dangerous. If you or your helpers don't feel comfortable with it, don't do it. If a buddy has a dozer nearby...

- JC

Thanks for all your suggestions. My first thought was to hire a dozer with a winch but I figured it would cost a minimum $2000 to have one delivered and use for day. The road to the back of my property are narrow and have deep ruts from last years rainy season. My truck is a Mitsubishi that is to light and I do not want to put any of my friends vehicles in harms way. I remember watching an episode of Dirty Jobs where they pulled a tank out of a ditch. So since I had already bought a winch I figured using the large tree up the hill to attach some snatch blocks and 4 part the winch and use the power of tractor I should be able to get it to first terrace. From there I should be able to drive out. Fortunately it looks like I have several volunteers to help. I will let you all know next week how it goes. Thanks

 

[teg]

How much for a tow truck??? Does AAA cover this?

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

Wow! You are one lucky S.O.B. ! Glad you were not hurt.

 

[captbluewater]

I went to property today to install winch and my friend showed up in the afternoon about 3pm with the hydraulic hoses that he had fixed for me. So We installed the lines and replaced the fluid I lost.Decided to try and use the backhoe to try and pull myself out going up the hill behind my tractor. I was able to grab a tree behind me with the hoe and pulled the tractor until I was up against the tree. My friend had a chainsaw with him so we cut that tree down to get it out the way and useing the backhoe and having the tractor in gear in reverse I slowly made it up the incline and got to a point that I could turn around and drove it back to safety. By 5pm I had tractor under shed and heading home. I was not planning to move it this afternoon so I did not have my camera but my friend's son took some pictures so when he sends them I will post. Thanks everyone for your concerns. I really enjoy the info I get from this site. Ronnie

 

[jlrsn]

Way to go Ronnie!!! I'm glad everything worked out for you.
Jim

 

[DiskDoctr]

I was able to grab a tree behind me with the hoe and pulled the tractor until I was up against the tree. My friend had a chainsaw with him so we cut that tree down to get it out the way

Whoo-hoo! :thumbsup: You, your friend, and your tractor are all out safe! That's what I call a good day.

BTW, I quoted your comments about the tree. You may be quite a ways south from here, but you're an honorary RedNeck today! Not gonna let any tree stand in your way

Glad to hear your luck is going better!

- JC

 

[texasjohn]

Good job, glad you are out...yep, been down there...rainy season does things to the roads that most people can only imagine!

 

[WVBill]

Geeze Louise - that slope behind your tractor looks steeper than the one you "rode" down the other day - - - and you drove up it to get out

You have bigger brass ones than I do, sir!!:thumbsup:

 

[Window Geek]

Jeez Ronnie, glad you're OK. That had to be one heluva ride. Thanks for posting all this and sharing your analysis and photos of what happened.

 

[mikeyee]

Hi there,

As a greenhorn still, I never knew about all the necessary steps in handing a backward roll on a tractor. I'm sure I'll one day experience what you just did because I'm in the mist of clearing land as well. Its good to hear that you were alright from that mess. I hope that I can fair the same, take care sir