Using tractor in water - Bad idea?

[Pharm]

Hi Guys,

We've got a fairly large creek that runs thru our property that varies in width and depth depending on time of year. It has been dry lately so it is about 30 feet across and about 1 and 1/2 to 2 ft deep. Much of the year it is impassable due to rain.

When I can I put gravel down this time of year just to keep it from getting too muddy so my tractor doesn't get stuck crossing. I save a lot of time crossing at the creek - but I can go down the road to access the other side of our property... just takes a lot longer. A old farmer and friend of the family came by yesterday and said that a lot of times sand will get in the bearings when crossing the creek and I would do better keeping it out of there. I had not considered that before.

I've crossed the creek plenty of times on our Massey Ferguson 1080 with no problem - but I've just started doing it on the MX5100 Kubota 4wd that sits much lower. I'm now thinking maybe I need to be more careful. I'm kind of bummed out about it since the kubota has a front in loader and I can maintain the crossing with it much better.

Whats the risk of damaging my tractor if I just do it occasionally?

 

[RaydaKub]

Could you put in some culverts and still cross the creek dry?

 

[Egbert]

I'd have concern about that contamination in the bearings. It's probably safe enough, as long as the water is below your axles but that would be my limit.

 

[Pharm]

"Could you put in some culverts and still cross the creek dry?"

Not easily

 

[Gary Fowler]

I would get some coarse rock and backfill the creek with enough rock to make a low water crossing so that the water flowed across but not up past the axles of the tractor. That is what I did on the creek thru my place. Just make sure that the water is not backing up on someone else due to the damming. This shouldn't be a problem with raising the ground level a foot or so.

I don't think you would have any issue with crossing that as is occasionally as it seems to be clear flowing water so not likely to have a lot of sand in it.

 

[two_bit_score]

"Could you put in some culverts and still cross the creek dry?"

Not easily

View attachment 341604

Looks like a nice place for a bridge?

 

[pwright]

Why would your tractor be any more susceptible to getting water/sand in the bearings than any other vehicle?

 

[Pharm]

I don't think my tractor is more susceptible except that it is crossing the creek more than anything else. I had to replace the gears on an ATV transmission because it had dirt and sand in it from crossing this same area - and I thought ATV's were designed for that kind of thing. I had the ATV for 10 years before having any problem with it but I guess the creek finally took its toll. Don't want to have problems down the road with my tractor if I can prevent it in the first place. Like everything else you have to balance out use while trying not to abuse.

 

[Pharm]

I would get some coarse rock and backfill the creek with enough rock to make a low water crossing so that the water flowed across but not up past the axles of the tractor. That is what I did on the creek thru my place. Just make sure that the water is not backing up on someone else due to the damming. This shouldn't be a problem with raising the ground level a foot or so.

I don't think you would have any issue with crossing that as is occasionally as it seems to be clear flowing water so not likely to have a lot of sand in it.

I think this is what I'm going to do. We've had rock put down before but it tends to wash away eventually. I think I'm going to need bigger rock put down next time. I'm just wondering if I need to shy away from the creek all together and take the extra 20 minutes to go down the road and cross a highway bridge - at least with my Kubota MX 5100 which has a lower axle.

I would love a bridge but an adequate bridge would be $$$. This area tends to flood several times a year with a lot of debris floating in.

 

[duroc]

I don't think my tractor is more susceptible except that it is crossing the creek more than anything else. I had to replace the gears on an ATV transmission because it had dirt and sand in it from crossing this same area - and I thought ATV's were designed for that kind of thing. I had the ATV for 10 years before having any problem with it but I guess the creek finally took its toll. Don't want to have problems down the road with my tractor if I can prevent it in the first place. Like everything else you have to balance out use while trying not to abuse.

You just answered your own question. (bold print) As 'Egbert' said.. "It's probably safe enough, as long as the water is below your axles but that would be my limit."

Even at that, water could still enter unwanted areas. Just because there is a seal on a bearing, etc, does not guarantee there will not be any foreign intrusion. I know you know that, but sometimes we get caught up in our hopes/wishes, instead of reality... just sayin' :2cents: