Stuck Tractor on Large Stump

   / Stuck Tractor on Large Stump #1  

scrimshaw33

Bronze Member
Joined
Sep 30, 2009
Messages
81
Tractor
JD 4520 w/ cab and FEL
I pushed a large stump in the woods out of the way to clear a trail with my FEL. The stump slipped under the FEL and now my front axel on the right side is sitting on the stump. The tractor is inclined towards the right and the tractor is raised on that side about a foot. The tractor engine shut off. When I turn the key the engine wants to turn over but it won't (all the electrical works). I wanted to start it so I could use the FEL to lift the tractor and pull the stump out, but now the engine won't turn over.

I hope I didn't mess anything up under the tractor which is why the engine's not turning over. I was wondering if the tractor just had some sort of safety mechanism preventing it from turning on since the tractor is raised off the ground on one side???

Any tips on removing the stump? I'm in the woods so am on soil. I don't have a jack but can buy one if there's something that will lift my tractor. It's an old rotted stump and I feel I can probably use a chainsaw to cut enough to break the stump up and get it out, but not completely sure.

I have a 4320 JD tractor. Thanks for any help.
 
   / Stuck Tractor on Large Stump #2  
Using a chain saw and digging under the stump should work...with out seeing it, would you be able to dig out under the stump and keep digging and thereby lowering the stump until you tire was back down on the ground...? If you can get in there and safely cut away part of the stump it reduce the digging...Hope nothing got damaged...I'm sure you checked all your safety switches and everything is in neutral...right...?

I thought of something else....check and see how much diesel you have in your tank...could it be that the tractor is tilted so the fuel , if low enough, has run over to the low side of the tank and your tractor is not getting fuel...maybe just add more fuel...just a thought..
 
Last edited:
   / Stuck Tractor on Large Stump
  • Thread Starter
#3  
I'm new to "tractoring" refresh my memory as to what you mean by safety switches?

I didn't have it in neutral when I tried to restart, could that be it?

That's a good thought to dig as well didn't think of that, there's def. room to dig and chainsaw and then it will be a question of whether I can get it started. I'm home now, it's raining just need to get the wife to let me go back out:) Wanted to get some ideas before I did.
 
   / Stuck Tractor on Large Stump #4  
I'm new to "tractoring" refresh my memory as to what you mean by safety switches?

I didn't have it in neutral when I tried to restart, could that be it?

That's a good thought to dig as well didn't think of that, there's def. room to dig and chainsaw and then it will be a question of whether I can get it started. I'm home now, it's raining just need to get the wife to let me go back out:) Wanted to get some ideas before I did.

Put it in nuetral and try again
 
   / Stuck Tractor on Large Stump #5  
I'm new to "tractoring"...
Most of the safety switches will not let the tractor crank over... if it's cranking over but not catching, I'm thinking low fuel. If that is the case, you might have to bleed the fuel line.

Also, once it's started, did you try and use the differential lock to have both rear wheels spin?

...The tractor engine shut off...
Did it die fast like a kill switch? or did sputter out?
 
   / Stuck Tractor on Large Stump
  • Thread Starter
#6  
It sputtered out. Just got stump out. Fuel was 1/4 full or less going to get more. Where and how to bleed fuel line? Nothing appears loose under tractor.
 
   / Stuck Tractor on Large Stump #8  
It sputtered out. Just got stump out. Fuel was 1/4 full or less going to get more. Where and how to bleed fuel line? Nothing appears loose under tractor.

I am not familiar with your tractor but I will take a stab at it until someone else corrects me...find your fuel bowl and the fuel line leading into it..loosen that fuel line and turn the key turning over the engine until fuel flows clear of bubbles...you can catch the fuel in a container. Fill your tank first. Then tighten the fuel line back and you should be good to go.

Do not forget to put your transmission in neutral and your speed selector in neutral and be sure your PTO is not engaged and you are sitting on the seat of the tractor...I think it will work for you and then you can use your FEL to lift your front end and push yourself back off the stump, but before you do that , look again under your tractor in relation to the position of the stump and imagine the move your are going to make with your tractor to be sure there is no way any damage can be done to the oil pan , wires, hoses or anything else you see that could get crimped or damaged...good luck.
 
   / Stuck Tractor on Large Stump #9  
Best way to prevent damage to the tractor is to cut the stump out from under the tractor if you can do it safely. The tractor typically gets in the way of that "last cut" that you need to remove the stump, so look it over carefully before you attack it with a saw. Look the tractor over close while your under there. Something about this just doesn't sound right.
David from jax
 
   / Stuck Tractor on Large Stump #10  
If it ran out of fuel that is what it will do. Bleeding is not needed, it has an electric fuel injection pump, that is what the noise it when you first turn the key. I have ran a 3720 out of fuel and that fuel pump made it very easy start up when we refilled the tank. :) So, I would put fuel in it and try again. :)
 

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