Stuck tractor - ways to lift?

[RoyJackson]

IMO, I don't think a dealer would ever tell you to go ahead, that places liability on them should anything ever go wrong. Even though they may be right, their response is probably meaningless because there is nothing else they can say.

The dealer knows his service techs and their competence. He doesn't know the typical owner and if the owner has any competence (including knowing when to stop!).

 

[RoadHogg]

The dealer knows his service techs and their competence. He doesn't know the typical owner and if the owner has any competence (including knowing when to stop!).

:thumbsup:

Well put.

Besides, if yer gonna screw something up, best choose something cheap...not an axle. For me, I'd lift the axle, but I haven't seen the tractor or situation.

 

[rdbigfarmboy]

you will need a chunk of wood something hard and tough like an oak a 4 by 6 maby 6 or 8 ft long or so and a chain for each tire. Chain the 4 by 6 to each tire allowing part of the 4 by 6 to go under the tractor. The simple procedure is you can drive but only till the lumber rotates to touch the tractor. Then remove and reposition. Understand you may break the the lumber and if you spin too far it may break some part on the tractor. Always works Always but has some danger.

 

[MNBobcat]

Its always better to err on the side of caution. I didn't know if the outer axle might be a standard way of lifting so that's why I asked and didn't assume.

I have a highboy and a floor jack which can both lift the tractor. Even 3 inches would be enough to slide a 2x12 under each rear tire. I have a couple that are about 12 feet long. I can get the front up using the FEL. I just need to get the back up to get some clearance.

My neighbor can pull me with his tractor, but unless I get those rear wheels up or positioned on a ramp for them to climb out I don't think he'll budge me. I'm going to have to go forward, not backwards.

 

[bigtiller]

Have you ever gotten your self stuck in the mud up to your ankles? You can't lift you foot straight up to get out, you have to raise your heel as if to take a step to get out. Same with the tractor, it won't come straight up and out.

That mud has a tight bond on your tractor. As deep as it is burried I think you will need to do some digging before it comes out without breaking anything.

Good luck and

 

[RoadHogg]

Have you ever gotten your self stuck in the mud up to your ankles? You can't lift you foot straight up to get out, you have to raise your heel as if to take a step to get out. Same with the tractor, it won't come straight up and out.

:ashamed:

Yes, I have. I've also had tractors bigger than the 3020 sunk up to the belly. My #1 approach is, find something else to do until things dry up some. That's not always an option though.

For me, I'd not hesitate, if need be, to lift any of the Case, IH, McCormick, Volvo, tractors I've ever owned by the axle in a case like this. I've never owned a JD though so I can't speak to this exact situation. I'm certain the JD dealer knows far better than I the stress points and capabilities of the JD tractor.

I hope you can get the machine out successfully without any damaged equipment or personnel. :thumbsup:

 

[MNBobcat]

Got 'er un-stuck. Thanks guys.

I used the FEL to lift the front tires off the ground as high as possible. When I did that, I discovered empty pockets under the rear tires. I dug those out enough to slide a 10 foot long 6x6 under the rear tires. I dropped the front end onto those same 6x6s and it actually lifted the back end up a little. Sort of like a teeter-totter. Then I used the curled bucket to help claw my way out.

 

[bigtiller]

That's great news! Sometimes luck is with us instead of fighting us.

 

[LBrown59]

We had our CX80 stuck like this a couple of times and ran chains across the diameter of the tires then
hooked chains to them that had been anchored, locked the differential and backed up winding the chains around the tires and pulling the tractor up and out.
You can use boards, limbs, etc. under the chain if needed.

I done that once with my Bolens tractor .
Worked like a charm .

 

[RickB]

The part about getting unstuck has been pretty well covered by others.
Next work on the concept of "having to mow" when you have no business driving your tractor in those areas. Keep out till it dries.