Kubota Swimming

[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