Kubota Swimming

[JeffInDaUP]

Hey everybody just wondering....
There is a wet spot on the back of my property that I would like to cross. There is a real nice 3/4 acre area that would be an ideal wildlife plot on the other side(no, the grass isn't greener yet, but it could be!!). There is an old logging grade gradually tapering to the waters edge on both sides, sand bottom, about 20' across, and around a 2' deep, 4' wide section in the middle where a small stream cuts through. Traction is not a big concern, the Ag's will do great here, but water depth is a concern for my L4610.

Anyone with any experience with water depth or what to look for when crossing?

Appreciate the comments!

Jeff...MI.

 

[RPM]

You need to walk the crossing (full width and length) yourself to make sure there are no soft spots or rocks to surprise you. A good stick is handy to ensure that you don't get the surprises when you are walking! Sounds like the water may be clear, so this will be easier for you.

On a road vehicle you are taught to go just fast enough to create a bow wave - on the tractor I would assume that as long as you keep the revs up you'll be OK. You might also want to grease exposed fittings before going across - and check that the fill caps on front axle etc are all on tight. Generally want to avoid any entry of water into any part of the system.

Only other things are the usual - watch out for local environmental regs (some areas don't like you driving in creeks - at least in PA), have a 4x4 truck handy to give you a tow if you get stuck - and try not to cross too frequently, may carve up the creek bed. You may want to plan on the tractor staying over there for each phase of the job.

Had quite a bit of fun helping repair a dam on a similar sized creek a few years ago - we were using a Bobcat. Just watch out for soft spots on a sandy bed, that can really ruin your day in a hurry. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

P.S. Am assuming that any implements you use can be raised above water level on the 3ph.

 

[Bird]

Jeff, I've never inspected the front axle on a 4610, but my tractor has a vent tube on top of the axle. Of course, it's curved in such a manner as to prevent a lot of water from getting in (I think or hope), but I don't intend to drive through water as high as my front axle. Getting water in there would not be a good thing.

Bird

 

[RPM]

If you have vent tubes as Bird described I'd be inclined to follow his advice. Your dealer may also be able to help out with some advice on that one ... wasn't a problem when I was swimming in the Bobcat we had (don't recall the model).

 

[JeffInDaUP]

I checked with the dealer and he isn't sure. He wanted to give me an accurate answer, so as I wait, I figured you guys might have some experience with this. This is a twice a year crossing at most and I already received an OK from my local excavator to get at least a backhoe in there to clear the land, other than that though it would be an awful lot to build a bridge for. Maybe there is a way to waterproof some areas on the tractor temporarily to get through?!?
Thanks for input!

Jeff...MI.

 

[RPM]

The trick is to find the potential entry points for water - that may need the dealer to look over some of the schematics. After that, duct tape should get you across the creek!! Add one more use to the list.

If it's only a couple of times a year, you may want to time to coincide with regularly scheduled maintenance the first time - just to see if any tiny amount of water did get in.

 

[kubmech]

Jeff, pull the left engine cover off and look near the radiator area I think that's where the front axle vent comes up to. The vent for the trans should be under the seat on the left side (rubber question mark lookin' thing). Those are the only two areas I can think of to be concerned about. As long as you don't have any leaks out you should'nt have any leaks in.
Grease the front axle pivots when done.

 

[theboman]

Stand on that bottom see how far you sink, then take into consideration how much that tractor weighs, you may need a dozer to pull out a tractor in mud to it's frame.
AND.
Water hitting a hot engine. That sealed block becomes a vacum chamber and I'd suggest changing oil immediately if you're in the water wrong, since all that water don't turn to steam.
AND.
BREAKS. On ATVs (4 wheelers) water and mud eats the break parts up much more than hard ridin'.
Becareful.

 

[skent]

It shouldn't effect the brakes, as he has wet (oil) brakes located inside the (hopefully water free) transmission.

Steve

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Weren't Kubotas designed by Japanese to work in flooded paddy fields? If yours is not then some of those mods made by Kubota USA must be less than desirable. Providing the height of the water is not higher than say 2 feet then it should be ok otherwise it would not be able to be operated in a flooded paddy field!

 

[HR_Mutt]

JeffInDaUP
For a 3/4 acre plot I would not attempt the water crossing with my new L4610.Think I'd bridge w/ 4x4's and plywood and walk over the DR mower/hand tools.If you do this, (you say back of your property) do you have good solid roadway to bring in a piece of heavy equipment to get her out as it's sinking?Sorry to go against the crowd this time....it's just not something I'd attempt.Good Luck.
regards
Mutt

 

[skent]

After thinking about this thread, I'd sort of agree with Mutt. For 3/4 Acre and considering the possibilities, (stuck tractor and problems getting it un-stuck, hot engine parts hitting cold water, chances of water in oil) and the NEED for getting it to the other side, Maybe a foot bridge would be the way to go.

Steve

 

[r0GuE]

We had a rule in mountain biking (that we didn't always follow, but always wished we did).
DONT GO IN OVER THE AXELS!
bad stuff happens. water grit grime etc. EVERYWHERE.
If you can do it with the water under the axels, (dry season, stacked rr ties) have at it. If not, mark the tractor with something we can identify so we know not to buy it used!! ;^)


Rogue

 

[RPM]

While I understand the caution, I'm not sure it's warranted.

I once spent a few months roaming around West Africa with a UN team (research). We handled dozens of stream/creek crossings in a humble Toyota 4x4 (predecessor to the Tacoma). Basic rule was to grease exposed drive-line fittings as soon as possible afterwards, but no big deal. The unpopular part of the trip was wandering through muddy water with a stick to find a good path where the current was slow. (I still occasionally wonder if I don't have a couple of parasites left over from those days!!)

Plenty of the fleet vehicles had been doing this for 10+ years. Admittedly, different drive-line - but these Kubotas are made for work, not babying. I'm sure that it was a design consideration somewhere. I think I'll email Kubota and find out - it's really bugging me now.

The other approach, of course, is to use a rental /w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif

Patrick

 

[JeffInDaUP]

Real interesting comments everybody-and I appreciate them all. I have hard-sand flat logging trails over most of the property, and most are dry except for snow melt time. There is a grade that I have kept open right to the waters edge for a foot path or 4 wheeler that also extends through the proposed food plot(bulldozed in '83 for logging). This will be the 6th food plot on the property(all hand,tractor, or dozer carved) to go along with a 1/10, 1/4,1/3,1,and 1.5 acre plots. This will make almost 4 acres of high quality food plots, in an otherwise unproductive highly acidic conifer/pine forest area. 4 Acres can support approximately 12-15 deer. We have 15-20 deer per square mile in this area so I'll be doing pretty good to help the deer in my area. 3/4 acres doesn't sound like alot, but it will be enough to support 2-3 deer throughout the spring, summer, and fall.

That being said....the area on the other side of the water will be a food plot(after clearing the land, leveling, and spreading 3 tons of Lime, fertilizer, and seed), it's just a matter of if I will take care of it by hand or tractor-I may have to opt for the bridge because I might just want to keep my bota for 30+ years. Thanks again, I'll let you know if I sink her!

Jeff...MI.

 

[rbargeron]

Hate to admit it in public but we once had to do some maintenance on an earth dam at the end of a pond - and didn't want to drive on the dam. We put an extension on the exhaust stack, zip-tied a long tube to replace the air filter, and drove the tractor along the shore in about 3-4 feet of water around to the dam. Had to cut the fan belt to keep from wrecking the fan. This was a Case backhoe - which ran just fine for another ten years until traded - no water in the oil. One more point - keep your loader and 3ph attachments low - better to get them wet than to get tippy when a wheel goes into a hole.

 

[r0GuE]

I have no doubt this can be done. I know that 3rd world nations utilize yota land cruisers and isuzu troopers to unbeilivable ends. when I said we didn't always follow those rules but "wished we did" it is because of the maintenance that this precipitated. I'm sure you can do it. but don't with mine! ;^)
too much potential for mishap. If you can rent one, do that. I love to drive rental cars!!!!!!!


Rogue

 

[glennmac]

Jeff,

I'd say there are two issues here. First, will your tractor get stuck out there. Second, will the water hurt your tractor.

As to the first issue, I have been completely bogged down and stuck twice in mucky parts of my property. Had to call in a tow truck both times. Not fun, and expensive. If you are sure you have a solid bottom under the water, you probably wont get stuck. If you have mud or muck or slime, you are risking it.

As to water damage, the others have responded better than I can. I will only point out that water damage risk from a 20 second splash-through is one thing, but the riskb of damage from a long submarine experience is quite another. So it goes back to the risk of getting stuck issue.

River bottoms are typically quite solid wherever there is sufficient gradient to have a noticably pushy current.

 

[HR_Mutt]

JeffInDaUP
Please take your camera and a second person with you if you proceed with the river crossing. That way as they're running for the help you could click some pics/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.Of course those pics should be posted/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.
regards
Mutt

 

[RPM]

You might be able to get one of these on your 3ph if you look around ...

/w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif