Here's a question. Say you have a large piece of equipment stuck and 2 smaller identical tractors that are unstuck. if neither smaller tractor can pull the larger one out by itself, but both together might.... Do you hook each tractor to the stuck equipment (side by side) or do you hook one to the stuck and then hook the other to the front of it (in line)?
Pulling with 2 tractors
- Thread starter hudr
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I did this once many years ago. While working for a farmer checking the fenceline in his pasture (first time for me in that area), I drove his JD4020, a big tractor, along one side of a bog. The ground looked fine, covered in grass and not really in a low area. The farther I drove, the more the tractor started leaving ruts. I was in 7th gear at half throttle. Looking forward, the ground looked no worse than behind, so I went to full throttle. About 100 yards later, the tractor was sitting on its belly and the ruts were FULL of water!
I went and got the farmer, who instantly realized that he FORGOT to tell me not to go along that area of the fence (duh).
Anyway, we got another one of his big tractors and all the chain and steel cable we could gather at three farms and headed to the beast. Strung out the chain and cable and got the 2nd tractor stuck.
Came back with a 3rd tractor with duals, and with more chain and cable, hooked it in front of the front stuck tractor. Running all three, we got them all out.
That was 30 years ago and I'd bet the ruts are still there.....
Ron
I went and got the farmer, who instantly realized that he FORGOT to tell me not to go along that area of the fence (duh).
Anyway, we got another one of his big tractors and all the chain and steel cable we could gather at three farms and headed to the beast. Strung out the chain and cable and got the 2nd tractor stuck.
Came back with a 3rd tractor with duals, and with more chain and cable, hooked it in front of the front stuck tractor. Running all three, we got them all out.
That was 30 years ago and I'd bet the ruts are still there.....
Ron
jwstewar
Elite Member
Bird
Rest in Peace
I've never had to do it with tractors, but about 3 years ago a nephew got a rented moving van type truck stuck. I wasn't able to get enough traction to pull him out with my 2WD, 3/4 ton Ford pickup, but then when we hooked my brother's Suzuki Sidekick to the front of my truck, everything came out easily.
JoeL4330
Platinum Member
"Parallel" or "Series" ...probably doesn't matter much ... think about dog sleds, or horse/oxen teams, troikas, etc. ... parallel case depends more, I bet, on no. of attachment points and/or ability to equalize load, and/or width of track/trail ahead.
Henro
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I think I read somewhere that the danger with hooking tractors in series is that the line that is pulling on the stuck item has a greater chance of breaking when it is feeling the pull of two or more tractors.
So the operator of the tractor closest to the stuck item is in more danger, all things considered, with a series hook up, than if he were pulling on the same chain/cable/strap with only his tractor.
There may be other reasons...wish I could remember where I read about this...some farm/tractor safety site I think...
So the operator of the tractor closest to the stuck item is in more danger, all things considered, with a series hook up, than if he were pulling on the same chain/cable/strap with only his tractor.
There may be other reasons...wish I could remember where I read about this...some farm/tractor safety site I think...
If you can do parallel (based on what JoeL4330) said and for the safety reason Henro said, it's probably the best way.
Another potential reason is that each pulling vehicle has it's own clean traction area. When in series, if the first tractor digs things up or whatever, the 2nd tractor will have to contend with that mess and may loose some of its traction.
Another potential reason is that each pulling vehicle has it's own clean traction area. When in series, if the first tractor digs things up or whatever, the 2nd tractor will have to contend with that mess and may loose some of its traction.
rockinmywaypa
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If a person had it at their disposal the best thing to have would be a pulley attached to the stuck vehicle and then each pulling tractors attached to the ends. Then when one slips a little the other can still keep a steady pull on the stuck one. Pull is more constant without the jerks and stoppages that occur when one slips and then the other can't pull all the weight. Of course in a perfect world you wouldn't have one stuck in the first place. Close to 30 yrs ago in one corn season it was incredibly wet and the harvester and trucks were always stuck, Boss got a big block and tackle from a towing company which was about the only way some of that equip was going to see motion again.
AndyM
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PineRidge
Super Member
Before we got our home built and the drive graded our lot was more mud than anything else. One hot summer day we got the 4 WD Explorer stuck up to the belly in gumbo about 700 foot from the road.
We called a tow truck and when they arrived they got about half way back to us before they were sucked in by the goo himself.
He got on his radio an about 30 minutes later we had a tow truck on the main road that looked like it could handle semi's with ease. The big guy stayed on solid ground and played his cable out to the tow truck that was stuck. The stuck tow truck played his cable out till it attached to our Explorer and 20 minutes later we were all on solid ground.
I really can't tell you if it was the right way or the wrong way, but I can tell you it got me to the highway and that's what counts. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
We called a tow truck and when they arrived they got about half way back to us before they were sucked in by the goo himself.
He got on his radio an about 30 minutes later we had a tow truck on the main road that looked like it could handle semi's with ease. The big guy stayed on solid ground and played his cable out to the tow truck that was stuck. The stuck tow truck played his cable out till it attached to our Explorer and 20 minutes later we were all on solid ground.
I really can't tell you if it was the right way or the wrong way, but I can tell you it got me to the highway and that's what counts. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
I think that the really important issue for parallel versus in line pulling is that first chain or cable. Can it safely handle the total stress applied to it.
Now if you are using a chain with 1/4" links and two garden tractors then not to worry. However if planning on using a couple of 5 or 6 ton tractors to pull something then your looking at up to 48,000 pounds of tension. What size chain or cable is needed for that? Your looking at a cable that is close to 1 1/8" diameter.
Was using a 4020 John Deere to pull something. Without thinking grabbed a chain with 1/4" links. The tractor didn't strain, but the chain was stretched to the point that the links would no longer swivel on each other!
You should really know what the rating is for the chain or cable that you are planning to use.
Now if you are using a chain with 1/4" links and two garden tractors then not to worry. However if planning on using a couple of 5 or 6 ton tractors to pull something then your looking at up to 48,000 pounds of tension. What size chain or cable is needed for that? Your looking at a cable that is close to 1 1/8" diameter.
Was using a 4020 John Deere to pull something. Without thinking grabbed a chain with 1/4" links. The tractor didn't strain, but the chain was stretched to the point that the links would no longer swivel on each other!
You should really know what the rating is for the chain or cable that you are planning to use.
40_acre_mule
Silver Member
Something I've heard many times is that when pulling with a tractor...
Always pull backwards. If you attach a chain to the back of a tractor and go forward against a heavy load, the front can raise up and roll over on you.
Always pull backwards. If you attach a chain to the back of a tractor and go forward against a heavy load, the front can raise up and roll over on you.
B2400
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Series pulling puts tension on the middle vehicle that the frame/chassis may not withstand. In the owners manual for Warn winches they instruct you to NEVER tie off the back of a vehicle( to a tree, other vehicle etc...) as the winch is capable of twisting the frame out of square if not tearing it in two. If you are to tie off the vehicle the strap or cable must be attached to the same point as the winch to keep the stress on the winch alone.
rambler
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Here on the farm I've sunk every tractor & combine I have, usually several times a year. My problem is being alone, finding drivers for the multiple pulls..... Learn to drag them out a foot at a time with one tractor....
We typically go series, one tractor in front of the other. Trick is the rear tractor gets a lot of pull, that first chain needs to be strong, and you can chain the front tractor to the hitch of the rear tractor - not pulling through the rear tractor, but from the hitch frame.
If folks driving are not used to clutches & tractors, the danger is popped clutchs, broken chains. We put a car tire in the line, it acts as a shock absorber.
No point in trying to pull in reverse, you will need all the traction you can get, tractor tires are directional with the angled ribs, you will need to pull forwards to get anywhere.
There are many, many safety issues with breaking chain/ cable, tractor front ends rearing up, bending or twisting frames, etc. One fellow a few states over hooked up 2 tractors to his newish $200,000 green tractor, bent the frame of it. Shot himself over it.....
Anyhow, be safe, too many issues to cover, but typically out on the farm we hook up one tractor behind the other for tis type of work.
--->Paul
We typically go series, one tractor in front of the other. Trick is the rear tractor gets a lot of pull, that first chain needs to be strong, and you can chain the front tractor to the hitch of the rear tractor - not pulling through the rear tractor, but from the hitch frame.
If folks driving are not used to clutches & tractors, the danger is popped clutchs, broken chains. We put a car tire in the line, it acts as a shock absorber.
No point in trying to pull in reverse, you will need all the traction you can get, tractor tires are directional with the angled ribs, you will need to pull forwards to get anywhere.
There are many, many safety issues with breaking chain/ cable, tractor front ends rearing up, bending or twisting frames, etc. One fellow a few states over hooked up 2 tractors to his newish $200,000 green tractor, bent the frame of it. Shot himself over it.....
Anyhow, be safe, too many issues to cover, but typically out on the farm we hook up one tractor behind the other for tis type of work.
--->Paul
ksmmoto
Gold Member
I got two stories to tell.
First one when I was a kid (in the 60's) the local large dairy farm rented the ground across the road. Right across from our house was a swamp that had been tiled and drained. Well they buried their JD 4020. Came back with another large JD and buried that. Brought yet another JD and buried that! Finally got the bulldozer man to bring his cat and pulled them all out. Hooked in series!
Second story. Neighbors across the road from me now collect old tractors (don't farm as they only have two acres). They was moving them around and hooked three together in series, but only had two drivers. The lead tractor took off (only tractor that was running). The second tractor which had the other driver on it was at an angle and when the chain went tight it flipped on its side in about two seconds. Lucky the driver jumped clear. It was a small Allis-Chalmers C hooked between two larger tractors.
ksmmoto
First one when I was a kid (in the 60's) the local large dairy farm rented the ground across the road. Right across from our house was a swamp that had been tiled and drained. Well they buried their JD 4020. Came back with another large JD and buried that. Brought yet another JD and buried that! Finally got the bulldozer man to bring his cat and pulled them all out. Hooked in series!
Second story. Neighbors across the road from me now collect old tractors (don't farm as they only have two acres). They was moving them around and hooked three together in series, but only had two drivers. The lead tractor took off (only tractor that was running). The second tractor which had the other driver on it was at an angle and when the chain went tight it flipped on its side in about two seconds. Lucky the driver jumped clear. It was a small Allis-Chalmers C hooked between two larger tractors.
ksmmoto
