Learned two very valuable lessons today.

[gregfender]

Lesson one: I weigh a lot less than my tractor.

There is a small creek / swampy area on my property that has been there since I was a tiny lad. In my 47 years it has always been swampy. One would think I would remember this not-so-insignificant fact. Having a new piece of equipment, however, tends to cloud the judgement. I think to myself, "4wd, small creek, no problem!" I dismount, walk to the edge, jump across, jump back, pace a few feet up and down and wouldn't you know it, it feels firm, my 230 lb. body doesn't even make a dent! Time to cross the creek...or more accurately, time to get halfway across the swampy morass before my tires start digging in. Axle deep. Four inches of wet, swamp mud coating the tires.

My next door neighbor happens to drive up. He shakes his head, gives me the "wow, what a dumb-a**" look, then drives back to his house. I should mention my next door neighbor is my Dad. :mur:

Yep, I'm feeling like an idiot now....but then:

Lesson two: I love my FEL

After considerable cussing, crying, praying, thinking hard enough to make my ears bleed, I began to asses the situation and thought..."hey - didn't I read on TBN about some resourceful folks who used the curl of their FEL to help unstick themselves?" I answered myself..."why yes, you certainly have read about some resourceful TBN'ers and their 'wonder-buckets!'" So with some careful loader maneuvering, I managed to push myself back far enough to get some traction and get out of the swamp.

Thanks for the inspiration!

Have a great day!

 

[k0ua]

Yep, that will do it. Sometimes. And sometimes you just dig a big hole out front of your tractor with the FEL, and watch it slowly fill with water. Glad you got out the easy way.
James K0UA

 

[boggen]

at least ya figured it out without the old man coming down and doing it for ya within a couple minutes. or needing an actual tow / drag out.

i will have to admit. if it wasn't for the backhoe and front loader bucket. i know i would be in a lot more trouble than you were in. just glad the backhoe had enough umph to pick the rear end completely off the ground. and move the rear end on good stable ground without doing a roll over. *cringes*

 

[TripleR]

The FEL can be a really useful tool to extricate yourself from the mud, just don't wait to long to use it.

There are other techniques involving logs or chains too.

 

[Zebrafive]

Did DAD come back to attempt a rescue or just leave you there? Or maybe with his video camera for "funniest home videos" :laughing:

 

[bigbull338]

i learned from my brother what will get you stuck bad fast,an i try to avoid that.because if theres a way to get stuck he will find it.the last time he got stuck he goes im stuck just a lil.so i call buddy with 4x4 tractor to pull him out.an he goes how bad is he stuck i go he says not to bad but i bet he is axel deep.friend pulls him out.an says yeah he was stuck good lolol.thats why i bought a 4x4 tractor last winter.

 

[Pooh_Bear]

I learned a long long time ago:
4 wheel drive is there to get you out of trouble, not into it.

(Same goes for steering brakes on a 2wd tractor)

Pooh Bear

 

[gregfender]

I learned a long long time ago:
4 wheel drive is there to get you out of trouble, not into it.

(Same goes for steering brakes on a 2wd tractor)

Pooh Bear

That is some good advice to follow! :thumbsup:

 

[RoyJackson]

I learned a long long time ago:
4 wheel drive is there to get you out of trouble, not into it.

(Same goes for steering brakes on a 2wd tractor)

Pooh Bear

And I told my wife a long time ago...4WD (in a car or truck) is to make sure you get home...not to the mall.

 

[buck12]

Yep, that will do it. Sometimes. And sometimes you just dig a big hole out front of your tractor with the FEL, and watch it slowly fill with water. Glad you got out the easy way.
James K0UA

Been there done that and it is a sinking feeling