How did your offroading go today?

[Towpack]

I'm no expert but I reckon ground anchors are you're only option. That could be a 33kv power line so I wouldn't even consider using the poles.
Digging out beneath the wheels sounds a good idea to reduce the amount of winching required. Agree 1oo% on the engine starting. I'd even be tempted to pull the injectors and spin it over on the starter to clear the cylinders. before going for a startup. Good luck!

 

[Rob Cowell]

Well it looks like HSS hire 3.2 ton trifor winches, so 3 of those coming. Plus some yacht anchors, which I'll believe in their capabilities when I see them.

 

[stumog]

Where abouts is the tractor rolled Rob?

Need a hand?

 

[Jon Wildsmith]

I've done big pulls with the 8 pins through a box section type military surplus ground anchors.

 

[Rob Cowell]

Where abouts is the tractor rolled Rob?

Need a hand?

South Wales. Very good of you to ask but I think we'll be OK (famous last words!)

 

[Shayne]

I'm not far away Rob and i was thinking if i had a winch fitted i would pop up but as not i didn't feel i had much to offer ?

 

[flint]

A bit late in the day, but aren’t there any farmers or contractors about with a big 4x4 tractor or loader that could help right it with a strap or chain and give a tow home ?

 

[Rob Cowell]

Shayne, no worries. I posted it because I thought they were interesting pictures not because I think anyone can help We may be beyond that!

There's no way a 4x4 "car" would get anywhere near it. The track is narrow with tractor deep ruts in it. If you try and ride the centre ridge and the edge of the track you'll end up laying next to the tractor. I can get up there on my quad bike because it's light enough to come across the mountain and not need the track, but even then it's only just do able.

To pull it from a vehicle you'd need to be at a right angle to the track and that's just not possible given the track width and the steepness of the hill on the otherside of the track.

I reckon a 13 ton excavator would do it, with some digging along the way but the public road to this farm is so narrow and with a very tight turn in it we know a low-loader won't get up there. Neighbour has had 5 ton rubber tracked machines up by driving them on the road, but a 13 tonner with metal tracks will make a nasty mess.

Anyway, looks like we'll give it a go with hand winches. I'll post more pics

 

[flint]

Best of luck, hope it goes well today with the tirfors. A while back, a neighbour took a tumble in his Renault 4x4 tractor turning on a slope, he was lucky too, just a cut on his leg. They managed to right it with a big 4x4 telehandler and straps.

 

[Shayne]

Truth be known i have just remembered your plight and thought to check for your reply

As usual i do my best thinking when i should be sleeping and perhaps one of these is the answer to your anchor
problem .

If you have confidence in your anchor you could disconnect the hydraulics holding the bucket raised which would reduce the pull needed considerably .

 

[Rob Cowell]

Truth be known i have just remembered your plight and thought to check for your reply

As usual i do my best thinking when i should be sleeping and perhaps one of these is the answer to your anchor
problem .
View attachment 113787
If you have confidence in your anchor you could disconnect the hydraulics holding the bucket raised which would reduce the pull needed considerably .

It's an excllent thought.

Unfortunately, those things were invented by people who inhabit rock free soils. Actually for an anchor they may work, for fence strainers they never bore straight and the man at the hire shop can't believe how little of his auger is left.

The ground anchor plan is to dig a trench parallel to the tractor and up the hill a bit. Drop a telegraph pole in the trench (having threaded two or three stops on it) and attach the winches via cables to that. Right-angle slot trenches will be needed to get the cables from the pole, so the pull on the pole is down the slope and not out of the trench.

Fortunately it's not my tractor, so I'm not digging the trench.

 

[clivehorridge]

It's an excllent thought.

Unfortunately, those things were invented by people who inhabit rock free soils. Actually for an anchor they may work, for fence strainers they never bore straight and the man at the hire shop can't believe how little of his auger is left.

The ground anchor plan is to dig a trench parallel to the tractor and up the hill a bit. Drop a telegraph pole in the trench (having threaded two or three stops on it) and attach the winches via cables to that. Right-angle slot trenches will be needed to get the cables from the pole, so the pull on the pole is down the slope and not out of the trench.

Fortunately it's not my tractor, so I'm not digging the trench.

It's a good plan, a lot of effort, but a good solid plan.

Last time I was stuck in the truck without a tree to winch from, I tried all sorts of failed attempts to get an anchor to grip.

I even started to dig a hole to bury the spare wheel (similar to your telegraph pole idea, on a much smaller scale) but with my little emergency shovel, I think I'd still be there a month later trying to dig!

All very well in principle, but in practice, bloody hell .

I was saved by the Martians eventually, well that's how my 96 year old father-in-law described the motocross guys that came to my rescue in their one-piece white riding suits and full-face visor helmets .

 

[Shayne]

No news is good news i hope

 

[clivehorridge]

No news is good news i hope

I was just thinking the same thing, Shayne...

Waiting for some photies...

 

[Rob Cowell]

Just so happens I've just got in. Neighbour and other neighbour had made excellent progress when I was out galavanting yesterday. I was there to share in the glory this morning. Still not out of the woods, got to get back tyre reseated, and then worry about getting it level and started.

View attachment 113890

 

[Shayne]

tying a pole to the chassis was a brilliant idea .

 

[Crispin]

Good going!

The pole idea is good. Bury it again and it'll have the Time Team TV guys really busy in 400 years time.

 

[Michael Montgomery]

Job well done happy for you hopefully damage is limited.

 

[clivehorridge]

Wow, nice one Rob, they've done well!

I see the trench, which was probably the best idea. Like the chassis pole and....

So many photos!

 

[flint]