Tractor for 25ac - hilly, previously logged - input greatly appreciated

[headleyj]

You spinning out one tire or two? If one, stomp on your differential lock to get both tires powered. Put some weight on your 3pt hitch and load your bucket. Keep both as low to the ground as possible and crawl your way up in your lowest gear. If you still spin out, I'd either buy a winch if you plan on going up and down there again with that tractor or call a towtruck (if one's handy and cheap) with a winch if you plan on trading for a 4wd. If the towtruck option is too expensive (more than an hour or so), I'd put the money towards a winch even if you plan on trading for 4wd. That way you've still got the winch rather than thanks for paying for the towguy's next vacation.

It starts spinning one, I stomp on the brakle for that side and it'll spin the other side. No actual diff lock "throw" that I can find on it. Weight is definetly something I'm lacking and if it ever dries out I'd be anxious to see hoe it'd do. The loader was as low as it could be. The winch is something I think I'll be getting as well because I'd like to keep those trails in decent shape. Yeah it's gonna be fun for sure. 4wd would sure be nice, but $ man...$ you all know that gig. Someday sure. I'll keep you posted on what I come up with and how things turn out!!! Thanks for the advice man, I appreciate it!

 

[3RRL]

Are both your rears loaded?
That should give you some extra traction too. Regarding the turning brakes, don't "stomp" on the spinning one, rather push it until it AND the other one starts spinning together...like feathering the brake.

 

[headleyj]

Are both your rears loaded?
That should give you some extra traction too. Regarding the turning brakes, don't "stomp" on the spinning one, rather push it until it AND the other one starts spinning together...like feathering the brake.

Rears are not loaded. I think it's just waaaayyy too light in the rear with the loader. Gotcha on the stomp vs press. It's just hard to keep your cool on an slippery/ muddy incline.

 

[GinNB]

You definitely need some serious weight on the back if you've got a loader and your tires aren't loaded. Just having an exisiting implement on the back is your cheapest counterweight. Second cheapest is probably loading your rear tires with a water and calcium chloride solution. Best is loaded tires and a 3 point counterweight, preferably something small and heavy that you won't easily hit something expensive with. A bare concrete block with steel hookups for your 3pt hitch or a dedicated ballast box filled with steel, lead, rocks, concrete or whatever else is laying around are two compact solutions that work well. A heavy duty bushhog works excellently (heavy and sticks waaay out from the back) but they get in the way in tight quarters or when crossing ditches, etc.

 

[headleyj]

You definitely need some serious weight on the back if you've got a loader and your tires aren't loaded. Just having an exisiting implement on the back is your cheapest counterweight. Second cheapest is probably loading your rear tires with a water and calcium chloride solution. Best is loaded tires and a 3 point counterweight, preferably something small and heavy that you won't easily hit something expensive with. A bare concrete block with steel hookups for your 3pt hitch or a dedicated ballast box filled with steel, lead, rocks, concrete or whatever else is laying around are two compact solutions that work well. A heavy duty bushhog works excellently (heavy and sticks waaay out from the back) but they get in the way in tight quarters or when crossing ditches, etc.

It's got wheel weights on it, but yeah the loader is so big it simply needs more weight in the rear. I'm gonna stack logs on the yard box tonight. I've got some HUGE stumps/ tree trunks a few feet long I've cut up down there. My buddy is also bringing 400 lbs of suitase weights to hang off the rear of the box. The logs + suitcase weights + crusty, slightly frozen earth + a truck at the top of the hill with a hog-dad cable to assist pulling if needed should be enough. I'd really like to be able to drive it in and out of there, **** that's 75% of the reason I got it! I'll let ya know how it goes!

Seriously, thanks for the insight adn advice, I DO appreciate it very much!!

 

[whatsgnu]

I'm real new at this tractor stuff too but how about a set of chains for the rear tires ? If your mostly out in the woods and going up and down that trail it seems to me you could leave the chains on all year and you'd have alot better traction ? Keep us posted , we're all rooting for you !! ( and I'm learning alot too ! )

 

[headleyj]

I'm real new at this tractor stuff too but how about a set of chains for the rear tires ? If your mostly out in the woods and going up and down that trail it seems to me you could leave the chains on all year and you'd have alot better traction ? Keep us posted , we're all rooting for you !! ( and I'm learning alot too ! )

Chains may be in order, but I'm going to try loading the rears (after it's up outta htere obviously) and creating a heavier rear ballast first. I will surely keep in touch and if I can remember I'll take some pics!

 

[headleyj]

well yesterday thanks to 400lbs of suitcase weights and 2 of the largest stumps I could find and lift on to the yardbox, in conjunction with the semifrozen earth, she walked right up outta there. SHEW! What a relief!

Didn't get any pics taken, the wife took the camera to work to show everyone pics of the hosue. I WILL get some taken though! Thanks to everyone for their input!