Stuck in snow & now need a tow!

bebster · Jan 25, 2005

Well I've never seen this much snow on Cape Cod! Caught me off totally off guard, with the JD 4410 parked at the barn with the pallet forks on the FEL and 2-3' of snow all around. Of course as luck would have it, I left the bucket about 150' away, so while my wife dug the bucket out of the drift, I backed my way over using the BH bucket to sweep a path clear enough of snow so I could drive over it. That was an hour's job. You can see the trouble brewing in this photo.

Finally got the bucket attached. It's hard to do in the snow because it's not level and the snow gets between the loader and the bucket making it hard to seat properly.

Then started to try to push the snow, but found that I had to turn to the side to dump it somewhere. I knew that 100 yds to go to the house wouldn't be easy.

Continued on next post...

bebster · Jan 25, 2005

So finally got up onto my dirt (sand) road, and started to move and dump the snow. Except I went too far to the side and got the front wheels over the edge. The rear wheels have dug down to loose sand, and I see no way of getting unstuck. You can see the angle I'm at in the photo. The left front wheel is way down and the left rear tire is pretty far dug into loose sand. Tried shoveling out, putting some 2x12's under the tires, but all to no avail.

A big excavator is scheduled to come over to put in a septic tank, and I figure I can get him to tow me out. But I don't want to do any damage. I'm thinking about putting a chain around the rear axle and attaching to the excavator and getting him to pull as I try to back out slowly.

Any suggestions? I'm all ears and eyes!

JN4310 · Jan 25, 2005

Can you walk it out by rolling the FEL bucket down, then lowering the FEL arms all the way down while pushing back with bucket curl? That or pull with BH crowd?

ronjhall · Jan 25, 2005

Climb on the BH and pull it out with it's bucket. I move my tractor around with the BH while digging. I know your not supposed to do it. But it works when needed.

bebster · Jan 25, 2005

Thanks for the advice -- tried both of those (they've worked before) but neither works now. I can't get enough lift with the FEL (and the bucket curled all the way down) and the backhoe can't get a good enough grip in the sand to do that much good. Backhoe's strong enough to move the tractor sideways but can get it to move it up over the edge and backwards all at the same time.

JN4310 · Jan 25, 2005

Is there any chance of wedging a log or some 4x4's between the bucket and the tree in the picture, then using loader lift or 4 in 1 bucket open to push back from the tree?

Bob_Skurka · Jan 25, 2005

Well if it was me, I'd fix up a nice batch of Kaluha and coffee and watch through the window while the lovely Mrs_Bob, using her brand new shovel, worked to clear a path for me to drive the tractor back out. Yup. Sure I would. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Good thing the lovely Mrs_Bob doesn't read TBN /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

JN4310 · Jan 25, 2005

Or maybe stacking some logs under the loader bucket to curl against??

Dozernut · Jan 25, 2005

I can't tell from the photo, but if there is a tree or good anchor point behind the tractor, hook a chain to the hoe and extend it (the hoe) out. You might need to have a length of strap and or chain to reach the anchor. Then attach the chain to the anchor and curl the boom in while you have the tires spinning. This should walk you out with ease.

BarryinMN · Jan 25, 2005

I agree with dozernut, you have the tools to easily get out. Use a chain with BH or create a solid pile under bucket to push back with loader bucket. You could also use BH to simply push straight down slope & try crabbing straight back up or go around.

In any case you can get out yourself it will just take time & a little creativity. I have a 2wd TLB & have slid off my road every year. Usually just once a season. R4's are not as good as R1's but they can work.

bebster · Jan 25, 2005

All good suggestions and worth a try (as soon as I finish this batch of Kaluha and coffee!). But there is nothing of any substance behind me for at least 100', so using the BH to pull isn't going to help much. I'd put the truck back behind and chain to it, but it's snowbound. And too close to the tree in front to maneuver around it, especially with 2' of snow on either side making maneuverability non-existent. So I'll try propping the FEL up and push back. Sun's setting so may have to try it in the morning. Makes me appreciate what a snowblower can do.

Bob_Skurka · Jan 25, 2005

I know my initial post on the topic was only half serious, but I found when I bought my first Jeep that 4wd means you can get stuck farther away from help. Tractors can get into even more trouble that a Jeep. Sometimes there only one choice is to bring in the big stuff, and since you have a hoe coming in the worst case senario is wait for that. UNTIL that happens, and after you are sobered up from the Kaluha & Coffee, you might want to try to get something substantial under the wheels of the tractor that can give you traction. Possibly some 4x4 lumber or other things that can be placed across the width of the tractor to try to give your tires something to grab onto and also won't simply spit out as the tires spin.

4x4 lumber is nice because they can dig into the snow and help raise the tractor up a bit at the same time. I've never tried it with snow, but there might be an encounter with mud that I've been trying to forget . . .

JimR · Jan 25, 2005

I'm surprised that the hoe can't pull you out. I use to bury my 8N in the mud and get it out with the hoe. What you need is a two person team on the tractor. One to operate the hoe and the other to try backing it out at the same time. On my Ford I could reach the hoe controls to do both from the drivers seat. Good luck as you did get more snow than we did.

GoodGuy · Jan 25, 2005

With the backhoe, give yourself a tug like I did. See Pic

Junkman · Jan 25, 2005

If it was me, I would just wait for the big guns to arrive and save my sanity. I am certain that he will have some chain that you can loop over the axle housing and with just a little effort, you will be free. Support the MA economy and order yourself a set of chains for the tractor from St. Pierre Chain & Cable in Worcester. It will be one of the best investments you will ever make for that tractor. It is going to snow again this year and every year from now on, so you might as well decide that you will need them. I would also consider a cab from Curtis Cab in Worcester and snowblower to complete the ensemble... While you are waiting for the excavator, how about some updated pictures of the barn???? I have been thinking about it for a couple of weeks, but didn't want to ask for fear that you were a snow bird in Florida and wouldn't read it until the warm weather returns.... Junk... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

rozett · Jan 26, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( It is going to snow again this year and every year from now on, so you might as well decide that you will need them. )</font>

Junkman, since you can see into the future, can we have a chat about Powerball? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BigEddy · Jan 26, 2005

My solution in similar situations usually involves 6x6's or railroad ties, ramps from the trailer, or some pallets. As suggested earlier, I build up under the bucket enough that I can "level" out the tractor with the bucket, then I jam the ramps under the front tires and with diff lock engaged drive out. Sometimes I have to use the stabilizers to jack up the rear and stuff more material under there as well.
Once when I slipped both right side wheels into a trench without the backhoe on I actually tied off a sling to the ROPs and used a come-along to "tilt" the tractor back level so I could get the ramps under.
If you can get it leveled out with something to drive on, you should be able to get out without help. You might have to shovel a bit of snow though.

dicker · Jan 26, 2005

Hi

I agree with all the other posts that are saying that you have all the tools to get out.
Have you tried using diff. lock.

Good luck

Richard

tc35dforme · Jan 27, 2005

I wonder if he's out yet...they're getting another 12" today and its still coming. Kind of like the lake effect snows in upstate NY, but on the Cape it's ocean effect.

I wonder if the snow tastes salty ??? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bebster · Jan 27, 2005

Thanks for all the tips -- I think I've got a plan of action -- but it's snowing again!! Another foot or so in the past day or two. So I'm waiting until tomorrow when the sun is supposed to shine again before trying this. Decided to go to the gym and the movies in my spare time today, as well as shoveling out the propane tank to see how much is there before it runs out and I need to call for emergency fillup. Will keep you all posted on my progress.... Especially as my manhood has been called into question by a friend of mine as long as my tractor remains stuck!