Using a tractor as a bulldozer

[YuriM]

I would probably try first with what I had to work with. To start with you may want to keep yourself positioned so that if necessary you can use your bucket to help push your way out if things get soft. Is there not a way to get material from somewhere besides in the creek to place in the stream to stop it? You might even be able to get a load of rock brought in and use the tractor to transport it to where it is needed. You could begin putting it into the area needed and work your way across to the other side. This would also help compact the new material. As others have warned, things happen quick around sand/water. I have been stuck only twice with my tractor and both times were in a stream bed trying to slope the sides. Good luck.

Do you mean I wouldn't want to use the gravel from the stream because it would increase the chances of getting stuck?

 

[20 20]

I'd go with a mini excavator or dozer, or better yet both, save your tractor.

 

[gerard]

Probably 4 hours with a full size excavator and you're done. Widen and deepen and use the spoils to raise the bank size. Should cost you less than $1000 to have it done. Sometimes it's NOT worth doing something yourself if you don't have the right tools. Excavator is best tool for this work, dozer would also make short work of widening the bed but water will complicate using the dozer.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I have to say go with the tractor, if you feel the ground will support the weight. Take a 3/4" pipe and go out where you plant to work. Put some of your weight behind it and see how far it sinks. If it goes far, you have to rethink your plan.

Getting stuck is no fun, but spending coin when you own equipment makes me more upset.

Worse case is you get stuck and then have to rent a dozer or something like that. But there are lots of ways to get unstuck...

Besides, its christmas, what do you want to do, spend all your time with your family?

 

[sellercreek]

There is no problem with using the spoils from the stream if you can put them where you want them. That is the main issue in this discussion. If your tractor can pick up material from the stream bed and move it to where you need them, problem solved. If not, another plan will need to be put in place.

 

[powerstroke444e]

When it dries up I wouldn't see why the tractor wouldn't work. Yes if I had my choice I would use a nice size excavator but you already have the money in a tractor why not use it. I have M5400 and had in creek lots of time bringing up sand for back fill and if your not carefull it will get stuck but just don't push your luck.
I have a 8000lb winch that I can tie to a tree that I use all the time when its wet out or working on slopes. Have fun and let it dry a extra couple weeks after you think its dry.

 

[Scotty370]

The way I look at it, that's a pretty serious Tractor, and I'd give it a 'go'. But that's me! Just one word about permits. Even in unprotected streams they want you to take reasonable measures! If the stream dries up, or at least reduces flow, downstream straw bales might be an idea. Fill out your profile so we know where you are! Also, up here, April=Trout season! Your stream may not be protected, but it emptys into something! Of course, April also= Spring runoff!!! Bales may not be practical. Just random thoughts! ~Scotty

 

[JoeinTX]

Yeah, Yuri, you've got a decent tractor and that creek bed doesn't look that challenging to me. I was expecting something much steeper, narrow, and more clay/mud.

I would at least give the tractor a shot........my work just fine and save you rental/hiring money. If it doesn't, well, you'll know what to do.

 

[JohninCT]

I can't really judge the width of your stream, but it looks like a mini excavator could stay on the bank and reach the middle. The local small rental place near me rents a 3.5 ton mini excavator with backfill blade for $ 490 per weekend or $1015 per week. If it were me, I'd stay out of the water and dig as much out the stream as you wanted and pile it up on the bank. Then you could use the excavator blade and/or your tractor to spread it out where you want it. Another thing is that most of these excavators can be rented with thumbs which could be useful for strategic placement of large rocks were you might need them.

 

[newbury]

<snip> By the way, I'm not doing this until at least April. The stream currently has about 4" of ice on it

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Edited to add:
I will not be uprooting any trees.

Looks like you are in New England.
"until at least April" means high water, if you can wait till real dry season (in my section of Vermont that's August or September) I'd strongly recommend you try it as is and balance off any need for a backhoe at times.
You can easily do it with a mini-ex and depending on the economy you might be able to get a used mini-ex for the cost of a backhoe, But spending $500 to $1,000 on a project just to rent a piece of equipment for a weekend versus having the equipment for use ANYTIME you want it was a big tradeoff for me.
Now I've got a BH and can go pick up sticks off the lawn, like in my avatar.