Pulling technique

[dbrienza]

While pulling my neighbors Bobcat out of the mud a couple weeks ago I learned something that I thought I would pass along. My neighbor managed to get the bobcat stuck in mud with about 3/4 of the tires buried. He had a stump grinder attached to front so there was no way for him to lift himself out with using the old bucket technique, and changing attachments didn’t appear to be an option with the machine buried the way it was. He was also wedged up against the backside of a retaining wall, which made things worst. Too bad I didn’t have my camera with me.

Anyway, I used the chain hooks welded to the top of the loader bucket on my L35 to pull him out. At first, pulling straight back, I did not get enough traction and just spun my wheels. But, by raising the bucket, I increased the down pressure on the front end of the L35, which increased the traction, and he popped right out the hole. At the time, I though raising the bucket would help lift him out of the hole. It was only after I thought about it later did I realize that my loader was not about to lift a 6000 lb machine (I think the loader capacity is only 1600 lbs) but that it must have been the increased down pressure and increased traction that did the trick. Good thing I had the backhoe attached on the back for counter weight.

-Dave

 

[JATO_RaT]

Dave, you are quite right in your assesment about in effect, loading the front bucket. The front wheels add an incredible amount of ability to the tractor as you know, but putting even 1000lbs in the front bucket be it material or in your case a outside load introduces considerably more load on the tires when you consider just how far out front that load is. Since you had your hoe on it allowed for you to do this. Your right about 2 other things, Bobcats are heavy and that you didn't have your camera. Rat...