I've spent 3 days now shoveling gravel out of a creek in front of the house. I got a wheel barrow and went to work. I've noticed that there are soft places in the creek but most places are hard garvel. I was wondering how the 4wd tractors do in a wet creek. Can you get enough traction to fill your bucket and get out and go back for another load?
shoveling gravel
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EdC
Gold Member
Mechanic
A whole lot depends on the slope out of the creek and how deep the water is. I can take my 2320 up about a 30% (15 degree) slope when the grass is wet and the dirt is a little bit soft if that helps. I haven't taken my tractor into any water deeper than about 6 inches though so can't help there.
A whole lot depends on the slope out of the creek and how deep the water is. I can take my 2320 up about a 30% (15 degree) slope when the grass is wet and the dirt is a little bit soft if that helps. I haven't taken my tractor into any water deeper than about 6 inches though so can't help there.
RedNeckRacin
Elite Member
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- Western PA
- Tractor
- John Deere 5083E MFWD, Kubota L3400 HST
x2 on the water depth. I have had our bx7510 in water about a foot deep or so with chains on the front tires. There was a clay bottom and there would be no way I would have gotten out if I didn't have the chains on. That being said, a rocky/gravel bottom should be fine. Don't go charging into a deep spot and REALLY TAKE YOUR TIME, after all, your on a tractor and not a boat. The other point I would make is try not to get into a situation that you can't get out of. As in sliding in between two trees or only being able to back into a deep pool of water.
If the banks are really steep why don't you just pull the tractor up to the edge and throw the junk into the bucket instead of a wheel barrow? Atleast it will be easier to move around!
If the banks are really steep why don't you just pull the tractor up to the edge and throw the junk into the bucket instead of a wheel barrow? Atleast it will be easier to move around!
SPIKER
Elite Member
I've gotten gravel this way for about 3 years now, hardest part is getting a full bucket OUT of the creek more than 3 or 4 times in a row. Bank will get soft even though the bottom is hard pan gravel the banks are soft and you drag water with you and that makes it worse on the bank. my banks are only a foot or so higher than the creek so mine are pretty easy, don't get in where you can't dump the load and use the bucket to PUSH you're self out. all that weight in the FEL can/will make the front tires sink and back tires loose traction. 4x4 only when backing out 2 whl drive going IN so you have back up ability if you start getting stuck... I don't go in wen the water level is up very high as that means the bank also will be soft/wet and will make getting out MUCH harder.
mark m
mark m
mikim
Veteran Member
If you do this regularly - or even enough - I'd say you need a BH.
VABlue
Platinum Member
And it wouldn't be a bad idea to regularly check the wheel bearings if you're going in or through water. The water can displace the grease and leave sand in them. Operating for too long in that situation can cause a wheel to sieze on you. They should be sealed, but it never hurts to keep up the maintenance on them under tough conditions.
