Winches Stuck in marshy/muddy section

[RickB]

The best thing to do is learn to use your tractor without beaching it. And more importantly, learning when and where not to use it. The best time to accomplish most jobs is when soil conditions allow, not when we want to get them done. Continually driving on wet soil increases compaction, decreasing whatever natural drainage is trying to happen. You not only go out and make a mess of everything and not accomplish the task, you are liklely making a poorly drained area worse.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Perhaps you could improve the area by tilling in some sand and finding a way to grade the ground to favor runoff.
larry

 

[LostInTheWoods]

How large is the swampy area that you need to get through? Do you have anything on your property to use? I have an abundance of cedars...if I had an area that got mushy, but still provided a modicum of support, I could cut a bunch of cedars down and arrange them side-by-side, then drive right over them. Sounds like they would press down into the muck enough to remain stable for crossing, yet give enough support to your tractor, perhaps?

 

[BobRip]

That's the nice thing about having a winch rated at 66,700lbs attached to the back of your dozer. Never had to use it to pull out my JD, but I'm betting it would work...:drink: In fact, at a weight of 1,980lbs, I'm wondering if the winch itself weighs more than my 790...

What would you tie it to that would not be pulled out of the ground at 66,700 pounds. WOW!

 

[ShhDragon]

How large is the swampy area that you need to get through? Do you have anything on your property to use? I have an abundance of cedars...if I had an area that got mushy, but still provided a modicum of support, I could cut a bunch of cedars down and arrange them side-by-side, then drive right over them. Sounds like they would press down into the muck enough to remain stable for crossing, yet give enough support to your tractor, perhaps?

the area is not all that bad maybe 50 square yards
but it is a road/lane of sorts and i need to get through it
the bottleneck is mushy
but i am slowly adding woodchips and plan to re-grade shortly and add a curtain drain in the area so it all SHOULD improve
but I do want to plan for some failure now and have the tractor survive the much/mushy

thanks everyone once again

PS most of the driving of tractor will be on very slight slopes (occasionally) and essentially lawn/gravel driveway
I'd say lawn more than anything else
but ALWAYS with the need to get through the maybe still mushy patch
any suggestions on tire choice to give me the best result?

I do have my JD mostly picked out
have a number of option questions remaining but about ready to go buy her

 

[LostInTheWoods]

the area is not all that bad maybe 50 square yards
but it is a road/lane of sorts and i need to get through it
the bottleneck is mushy
but i am slowly adding woodchips and plan to re-grade shortly and add a curtain drain in the area so it all SHOULD improve
but I do want to plan for some failure now and have the tractor survive the much/mushy

thanks everyone once again

PS most of the driving of tractor will be on very slight slopes (occasionally) and essentially lawn/gravel driveway
I'd say lawn more than anything else
but ALWAYS with the need to get through the maybe still mushy patch
any suggestions on tire choice to give me the best result?

I do have my JD mostly picked out
have a number of option questions remaining but about ready to go buy her

We'd need to know exactly what you were planning to do with your tractor, but when you say mostly on the lawn/gravel with very slight slopes...I'm thinking turf tires would be perfect (after you've fixed that trouble spot)

 

[ShhDragon]

We'd need to know exactly what you were planning to do with your tractor, but when you say mostly on the lawn/gravel with very slight slopes...I'm thinking turf tires would be perfect (after you've fixed that trouble spot)

Yes, thanks. Mostly it is moving manure (there are 5-7 horses) and compost. I am sure the occasional stone or stump will be moved too. I plan to brush cut and mow as well.

 

[radman1]

I had a 3720 and sold it for a 4520. Number one reason for the swap was the poor mud and soft ground traction of the 3720 with R4 tires. R4's are not good in mud. The 3x20 series ground clearance is about 8-9" at the rear drawbar with R4 tires. My 4520 with R1 tires is about 16-17" clearance. The R1 tires on the 3x20 series only raises the clearance by about 1".

 

[ShhDragon]

I had a 3720 and sold it for a 4520. Number one reason for the swap was the poor mud and soft ground traction of the 3720 with R4 tires. R4's are not good in mud. The 3x20 series ground clearance is about 8-9" at the rear drawbar with R4 tires. My 4520 with R1 tires is about 16-17" clearance. The R1 tires on the 3x20 series only raises the clearance by about 1".

Very helpful, thanks. I think I will try R4 anyway as I don't plan for ANY mud work but maybe some wood chippy mushy areas. I expect that the price difference between the 3720 and 4520 was quite a big one. The ground clearance sounds sweet but I am mostly level and doing field work here. No stumps to surmount or rocks I cannot go around.

 

[427ricky]

I would recommend a 8000 LB Warn winch. Mine is 15 years oid and will still pull a fullsize truck with the wheels locked up on my trailer witch is 38 inches off the ground.