The FEL has more uses that the obvious

[Rolando]

I was digging out some palmetto bush roots from some very fine dry sand this weekend and managed to dig my right front tire into the sand all the way to the floor board and the left rear tire up in the air. I fiddled around for a few minutes trying to get free without much success and was thinking I would need get someone over to get me out when I realized that I had the FEL that I could use.

You have to keep in mind that I'm a total novice, but I first tried to push my way backing out with the curl of the of the FEL, which didn't work at all. The solution finally came to me. I dumped the bucket so I could get more height, then lowered the boom to raise up the front end of the Toolcat. I then got out and filled in the hole the tire had made, and viola!, lowered the front end onto level ground and I was then able to back out of the place.

I noticed something that seemed odd to me, but then again I don't know that much about these things. I noticed when I was stuck that the only tires that were turning were the right front that was in the hole and the rear left that was up in the air. The other two that were firmly on the ground weren't turning at all. Is that the way it's supposed to be with four-wheel drive? I couldn't lock the rear differential because the tires were turned and I couldn't straighten them to be able to switch to 2-wheel steer.

 

[odleefs]

<font color="orange"> noticed something that seemed odd to me, but then again I don't know that much about these things. I noticed when I was stuck that the only tires that were turning were the right front that was in the hole and the rear left that was up in the air. The other two that were firmly on the ground weren't turning at all. Is that the way it's supposed to be with four-wheel drive? I couldn't lock the rear differential because the tires were turned and I couldn't straighten them to be able to switch to 2-wheel steer. </font>

Rolando,
Good use of the most important piece of machinery you own! Your noggin will prevent you from most dilemmas and get you out of many others...but you've got to approach the problem differently, as you did!
Your wheels performed as expected...they took the path of least resistance. If you were able to lock the differential, the force would have been equally divided between the wheels, and you may have moved! Bury yourself and see! Just kidding, of course!
Steve
PS. Sounds as if you're quickly becoming an experienced operator! 40 hrs is alot in the few weeks that you have had it! Are your dogs enjoying your company yet?

 

[BrianSouthernMD]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I was digging out some palmetto bush roots from some very fine dry sand this weekend and managed to dig my right front tire into the sand all the way to the floor board and the left rear tire up in the air... I dumped the bucket so I could get more height, then lowered the boom to raise up the front end of the Toolcat. I then got out and filled in the hole the tire had made, and viola!, lowered the front end onto level ground and I was then able to back out of the place. )</font>
All machines with wheels can and seemingly will get stuck. But the method you used to get out works for Toolcat. (I know from experience! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif)

 

[Rip]

Glad you figured a way out without too much difficulty. Just curious though how come you could not straighten the rear wheels out enough to switch into 2WS and then lock the rear diff? I could see that perhaps if stuck among big rocks, but I would think that in sand one could still turn the wheels enough to accomplish this. But then again I do not own a TC yet, so perhaps there is more to it than I know.

 

[CRJCaptain]

I've been stuck the same way, too, even to the point where locking the rear differential won't get you out. At that point, the only option you have for freeing yourself is the method you've just mentioned... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif