Using tractor in water - Bad idea?

[Utopia Texas]

The solution is simple. Buy a Kubota for each side of the creek? Tell your wife I said it was ok to do so!

 

[Gator6x4]

As others have said I would not worry about crossing the creek as long as you keep the water below the axles. Remember the front end if four wheel drive. Farmers years ago forged streams all the time with tractors.

 

[Sysop]

Farmers years ago forged streams all the time with tractors.

It was also their full time job (usually pulling "doubleshifts" 7 days a week), so an extra day spent on maintenance wasn't a huge concern.

Water should be avoided. Seals keep lubricating fluids where they need to be and help to prevent outside contamination of the lubricants. Water is much thinner than lubricants and the seals simply are not designed to keep water out when submerged. The tolerances required for the seals to seal the lubrication in and dirt out isn't not as tight as would be required to keep water out. To seal against water would require tighter tolerances and would wear faster.

Every manual for every type of gearbox I've read whether it's been a differential in an axle, or a transmission, or a transfer case; they've all said to change fluids after having the gearbox submerged to a certain level. With axles it is generally anytime water reaches the hubs.

For a bridge "on the cheap" you might be able to score a flatbed semi trailer that's seen it's last mile as a cargo hauler to use as the base framework (if it is long enough to make the span). Since you mention flooding I would likely make a small hill on each side and set good footings for it to anchor to that would keep it above the flood waters.

If you fill in with stone to make a shallow crossing, you will need to widen the creek also. Any filling you do will back up the creek unless you provide a path that can still move the same amount of water. If it needs to be shallow, it will need to be wide to move the same amount of water. I'd contact the local Army Corp of Engineers in your area, they will likely tell you the "dos and don'ts" associated with such a project. I'd avoid inquiring with local Department of Natural Resources or anyone like that, they generally don't want any changes made to waterways, legal or not. Army Corp of Engineers knows how to do such things within the guidelines of the law.

 

[GManBart]

We have a small creek that crosses the edge of our property, and splits the adjacent 5 acre parcel pretty close to the road. The owner looked into building on the property, had it tested, etc. He then found out that to build a bridge over that creek was going to be prohibitive, and there isn't enough room in front of the creek for a house. The creek is Great Lakes drainage, and the bridge has to be built to DOT standards...ouch. My other neighbor owns the lot across the street, and the creek crosses that as well....ten years ago he built a conforming bridge, and it cost him $10K...that would be double, or triple now.

 

[Dozernut]

I would be more concerned about going over the vent tubes on the differentials. A warm differential will let in water easier than a seal. 4 wheelers usually relocate the vent tubes to avoid this. Water in the pumpkin is real bad, especially in the winter when it freezes and expands.

 

[newbury]

Critical things like maintaining the original stream bed profile may be possible if you can "dredge" a path across the stream and refill the area with stone.

Be fully aware that as soon as you contact any authority you begin to lose the ability to say "Well sorry, I didn't know it was against the law"

 

[kebo]

Looks like a nice place for a bridge?

My EXACT thought!! That would be a great thread in the Projects forum, hint hint!!!! That's a pretty creek btw. I grew up playing in creeks (not quite that big!!) and I guess I have a fondness for being around them.

 

[EddieWalker]

I wouldn't bother with the expense or hassle of building your own bridge if you can just drive down to a perfectly good bridge already there. Since you are only concerned with crossing the creek when the water is low, I would just make sure that you have vent lines from your axles up higher then the water will ever get to. If you have greasable bearings, most tractors don't, then grease them after crossing the creek. Water in the bearings or in the oil inside your axles and differentials would cause excessive wear. If you can keep the water out, then it's nothing to think twice about.

Eddie

 

[Clint S]

How much do you cross?? If it is just an occasional crossing I would not worry about it if you do not go above the vent tubes. Water may be thinner than oil but It's not like you are parking it in the middle of the stream and leaving it there. How much water can enter a theoretically sealed unit in the very short time it takes to cross it. Like Eddie said check out the vents and know where they are. If you can raise the tube higher, all the better.

 

[3930dave]

As covered, getting water into differentials and other powertrain components is never good.

For things with grease fittings, consider a good marine grade of grease, if you aren't using this already. It is formulated to resist water washout and contamination more so than general purpose grease.

Rgds, D.