Posted by JML755 on May 15, 2018 at 08:16:12 from (166.137.14.66):
Couple of weeks ago I was clearing the area for my new pole barn. Very heavy brush, lots of downed (and live) trees; gonna be a big job. I was mowing the field next to it, edging my way in a little bit each pass. Ground was still pretty wet so I was trying to be careful to avoid trouble spots. Well, the right front wheel hopped over a downed tree and kicked the direction of travel along the tree. Couldn't steer over it fast enough or get it stopped before I was angled into the woods instead of parallel to it. I tried to back my way out but that just got me turned so I was heading into the woods AND caused the right rear wheel to sink each movement.
Over the next week or so, I tried different things to get it out. I hooked my NH TC45 to it, wouldn't even budge it. And it all it did was get the TC45 stuck. Got my F150 to pull out the TC45 and IT got stuck. So at one point I had 3 stuck vehicles in a row. Noting that the area around the tractor was just too wet for vehicles, I tried manual methods. Put 2 chains to the top of the ROPS, hooked to (2) 2.5 ton winches attached to trees to try and get it more upright and get a timber under the wheel. No movement. Tried winching it forward into the woods. (Figured I'd just cut trees to clear a path as I went). Nothing. It was almost like the tractor was a stubborn kid sitting there with his arms crossed. ("You can't MAKE me come out of here" :evil: )
Now, I have to mention, I own a Ford 755 backhoe that hasn't been run in a year. Battery was dead and couldn't get it started even by using another battery. It's a big strong machine but has seen better days and is pretty worn and tired. So, I told my wife that the priority was to get the backhoe running. I checked the engine and could turn it over by hand, so it wasn't seized. Well, I got a new battery and not even a click. That meant cables or starter solenoid in my mind, so Sunday I bit the bullet and cleaned all the terminals and cables. Nothing. I had issues with a bad ground at the starter before, so I removed the ground stud nut and cleaned up the starter case, washers, nuts with a die grinder. All bright and shiny. Well, that did the trick. It sounded like it was coming apart when it turned over, clanging and spewing bird feathers out of the exhaust. But it ran. I changed the oil, checked tire pressure, exercised all the hydraulics, and drove it down to where the tractor was stuck (a short distance from the house we're in now). Only problem was the steering was pretty non-responsive. I suspect it's low on fluid which I'm going to look at today.
Anyway, I got the backhoe within 60 feet (3 lengths of 3/8" chain) and dared not go closer due to the wet ground. Put the pads and loader bucket down, hooked the chains to the backhoe bucket and voila, it popped out so easy wife and I couldn't believe it. No strain on the backhoe at all. It was almost like the tractor was saying "oh, ok, you got the big boy. I guess I'll climb out of this hole now".
I took it home, cleaned it off and you'd never know it had been sitting in 2 ft of mud for almost 2 weeks. Here's a few pic:
Trying various methods with the TC45
Here's what the area looks like that I have to clear. :shock:
Stuck but before I removed the mower.
Pretty mucky, suction was probably a big issue as well.
Oh, forgot to mention. A week ago Friday during our first attempts to get it out, wife was on the TC45 as I was hooking up a chain and the wind was gusting pretty good. All of a sudden a tree (about 12" dia) came down within 5 feet of her sitting on the tractor. I yelled to get off and we stood there and watched the wind gusts. Saw 2 more trees come down within about 15' of us so we decided to call it a day. Came home and power was out. Turns out 300,000+ people lost power between 3:30 and 4:30 that afternoon. Hooked up the generator and waited. Next morning (Saturday), utility said it would be until Monday. Wasn't worried as we had plenty of gas. Lo and behold, power came back on Saturday evening. Anyone who complains about the US electric grid doesn't have a clue as to how good we have it.
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