Pulling stuck vehicles out of the ditch with a tractor

[LouNY]

I still pull many people out when I come across them depending on their attitude and the circumstance's. I do not normally connect to their vehicle, let them do it, I might make a suggestion if so inclined. I have seen several instances were the rim and tire is the preferred tow point on many vehicles, using a flat strap through the rim.

 

[wolc123]

I’ve had good luck pulling out vehicles that were significantly heavier than my tractor, using 1/2” wire rope and a snatch block pulley. I hook one end of the rope to a tree (or other fixed object) near my tractor and hook snatch block/pulley to the front of the stuck vehicle. Run the other end of the rope around the pulley and back to my tractor’s drawbar.

The tractor moves twice as far as the stuck vehicle and the pull force exerted by it is doubled, which enables you to extract a vehicle that is nearly double the weight of your tractor.

A little momentum gives you an added “boost”, (when they are really stuck good). If you just need a slight added boost after your wheels loose traction, dropping the front loader bucket straight down, lifting the tractor front slightly, and curling the bucket down, will give it to you. That’s not as effective as a little slacking of the cable, and jerking it tight again, though.

You can use those same (loader pull and slack cable/jerk) methods without the snatch block and pulley but the strain you put on your tractor will be doubled and you will be more likely to damage it. The only rigging gear you got to worry about with the snatch block is what’s between it and the stuck vehicle (that’s where you want your strongest chain, etc.).

 

[In.the.Piñons]

I admire your desire to be a God Sam, but remember: "No good deed goes unpunished."

The safest advice is the title of another thread, "Don't Do It" for the reasons bcp stated.


You did state you have experience recovering using a Jeep and winch and even dynamic recovery straps, but your question about weight indicates limited experience. The force to recover a vehicle may be a fraction of or a multiple of the vehicle's weight depending on the situation. Procede cautiously and deliberately.

The Jeep (with the winch) was my wife's, but she traded it in on a Tesla (not a lot of ground clearance) so I should as least figure out a recovery point on that or I'll be in trouble lol! But it's mostly body on frame vehicles around here so I'm not too worried about damaging them.

If the stuck vehicle is heavy or in a precarious situation, I will just leave it to the experts. I'm not trying to be a hero with this, I just want to keep my road open and make sure no one is in danger.

 

[BackRoad]

Just watch to not rub your chain, tow strap or Bubba rope on the blade edge of the back blade while under tension.

I have a link on one of my chains that is compromised because of this when pulling over a tree that I anchored up high for leverage to pull the root ball out with the tree.

The chain was rubbing on the blade edge during the pull...and the blade won.

 

[masseyrider]

At my old place the neighbors girl friend got stuck in the snow drift the town plow had put across their driveway.
A couple of us saw this from my place so we walked over to see what was going on.
She needed a small push to get over the drift.
Tried to sue us all for the damage to her brake lines and steering alignment. Also one or more of us was responsible for putting a big dent in her trunk lid. It had obviously been there sometime and had rusted where the paint was missing.
I'll call the local tow truck if you want.
Push/pull no way.

 

[WranglerX]

Then there is the time you are trying to be a nice guy and help the two local rednecks with a Ford Duely really stuck in a bog and his buddy is big 4WD Chevy.... The didn't have much and was needing help (would not take my 4WD Jeep into bog) but loaned then a 30 ft 5/16 chain..... First thing they did was hook up chain with about 10 ft of slack and Chevy guy took a full power run to jerk his buddy out of bog.... Well it didn't go well, they manage to break chain and strech many links to a point where it was no longer reliable......When the mud settled all I had was a damaged chain and a "sorry man"..... They promised me a new chain, but it never happened..... Sometimes it may be better to just go on by and get home, settle in by the fire and wait for knock on door and them asking to use the phone....

 

[JJT]

I've been fortunate, many cars and trucks, (even a UPS truck) pulled out of the ditch/snow/mud and I've never had a problem. I know it only takes one sob to turn you into a cynic. I always tell them it's their job to hook up the tow strap. I do my best to be a good neighbor.

 

[5030]

My only comment is, in today's liability prone society, I prefer to let them reside in the ditch and call a professional recovery service to extract them. Pulling a vehicle out of the ditch can be an exercise in getting sued for damage, or worse.

I used to do it, but no more.

 

[dieselscout80]

On many tractors the engine, transmission and rear axle casting are the only frame and its not appropriate to hitch at non-designed towing points.

More than one person has broken tractor castings by pulling at the wrong point.

Basically tow from somewhere the factory designed for pulling from.

 

[Blue Mule]

With winter coming up I'm sure someone is going to go off my road, into the ditch, and get stuck. I used to recover using a Jeep with a winch, but it I no longer own it. My tractor has a hitch, but my rear blade is most likely going to be in the way. So where's the best place to attach a shackle to the front of the tractor? Also, my tractor, with the rear blade attached is about 10,500lbs, what's the heaviest vehicle I should be trying to recover? Any other tips for using a tractor to recover stuck vehicles (this is my first tractor)?

My tractor weighs around 5,000 lbs. including the FEL and box blade. So, half the size of yours. A couple winters ago my step son slid his Toyota Camry off the road in the snow and hit a tree. I drove my tractor down to the accident scene about 1.5 mile and hooked a fabric strap around a rear wheel. Used the FEL to lift the car slightly and pull it up onto the roadway and set it back down again. Worked great and prevented additional damage to the car.

A tractor with a 10k lb. working weight should be able to pull any vehicle easily.

 

[DarkBlack]

I still pull many people out when I come across them depending on their attitude and the circumstance's. I do not normally connect to their vehicle, let them do it,

I agree. But if it’s a lady, who’s not mechanically inclined, you’re probably gonna hook it up for her

 

[ruffdog]

Traction boards will help in many instances and these orange ones are on sale now!

Amazon.com

 

[oosik]

I don't travel up/down my local county road with my tractor. So.. pulling folks out is a very seldom thing.

Actually - in 42+ years I've not had the opportunity.

BTW - I've checked with my insurance company. I do not carry commercial towing insurance. They will not cover any damage to anything if I were so inclined to do something such as this.

In todays overly litigious society - you could be taking quite a risk. Your cell phone will get a commercial wrecker there with the proper equipment and documentation.

 

[oosik]

Many folks don't understand how an extraction situation can go so very wrong so quickly.
- damage to your vehicle
- damage to the vehicle being extracted
- injury to anybody directly involved or any spectator
- property damage
- traffic control, in all directions
- damage to vehicles or those folks coming upon the scene

When in court and under direct questioning - how will you answer this.

"What authority or specific protections where you operating under when you attempted this action?"

 

[ruffdog]

Many folks don't understand how an extraction situation can go so very wrong so quickly.
- damage to your vehicle
- damage to the vehicle being extracted
- injury to anybody directly involved or any spectator
- property damage
- traffic control, in all directions
- damage to vehicles or those folks coming upon the scene

When in court and under direct questioning - how will you answer this.

"What authority or specific protections where you operating under when you attempted this action?"

Yes! Very important points and all of them could be factors in a trial.

 

[oosik]

And NO - I'm not involved with any towing company - I'm not a lawyer or LEO. But - I've been there and have seen how these situations can develop. Please believe me - your cell phone is the best answer.

 

[Topzide]

Family or close friends are the only ones that I would pull out! To many lawyers in the world for my liking.
I did pull the UPS truck out once. He's been my driver forever, it seems. He went just a touch to far of the gravel. I asked how long till he could get help, he said likely a few hours. I said " I won't tell if you wont". Had him out in 5 minutes!

 

[bcp]

Many folks don't understand how an extraction situation can go so very wrong so quickly.

Bruce

 

[hodge]

Thanks guys. I will see what I can manage, attaching to the rear hitch with the blade raised. If I can't get enough clearance, I'll try attaching directly to the boom of the blade and go carefully. At some point I would like to get a hydraulic top link which would enable me to get that rear blade right out of the way.

I do used a dynamic recovery strap and, if possible, request stuck person to attach it to their vehicle, in the hopes it absolves me of any liability. Maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part?

If at all possible, don't pull from the implement. The 3 point isn't designed for loads like that, especially if trying to jerk the vehicle out. Doing that can damage the stabilizers, lift arm mounting points, the rock shaft, etc. I've seen the results.
The drawbar is a much more solid point to pull from, and cheaper to fix.

 

[oosik]

It was 24 years ago. I have a mile long gravel driveway. Straight as an arrow with a valley in the middle. Pretty steep going in and coming out.

New "big brown" driver hadn't got the word. In the winter, leave all packages at the outer gate by the county road. Not sufficent speed nor momentum - he got stuck in the valley. I pulled him up out of the valley with the tractor. Boy-O-boy - he sure got enough speed on his way out. I'll just bet he got AIR as he came up out of the valley.