How To Get Your Tractor Out of the Mud
While it would be nice if you could always ensure that the ground will be even and easy to traverse with your tractor, you know that’s not always the case. After a heavy spring rain, the rich soils of your fields can swiftly become thick and sticky mud.
If you try to drive your tractor through such mud, you may find yourself fixed in place and unable to make any further headway. A stuck tractor costs you time and energy, which in turn costs you money, so it behooves you to get your tractor unstuck as soon as possible.
High Plains Equipment, with locations in Devils Lake and Harvey, is your North Dakota tractor dealer, so we’ve pulled together these tips for getting your machine out of the muck safely and easily.
Avoid Spinning Out
Once you note that your tractor is spinning in the mud and failing to move forward, lift up your implement and activate the differential lock if you have one. Slow your tractor down and drive very slowly forward to see if this will get you out. If your wheels continue to spin, then stop what you’re doing and try our next tip.
Back It Up
Slowly reversing your tractor with the differential lock engaged may get you out of your sticky situation. Ensure that all animals and people are far out of your way before you put your tractor in reverse and try to back up out of the muck. However, if you find this isn’t working, stop immediately before you get more stuck.
Grab Your Tools
Put your tractor in park and go to your shed or barn to locate a sturdy shovel and some planks of wood. Scoop away the mud around the tractor’s wheels and create a path for them to roll backwards where they can hopefully gain some purchase on drier land. The planks of wood can be laid down to make this easier.
Mount your tractor and engage the differential before opening up your throttle 25%. Raise your implement so that it’s up and out of the way and then reverse once again, trying to keep your tractor on the planks of wood until you’re free.
Call a Neighbor
If all else fails, you’ll probably have to call one of your neighbors or friends who can drive their tractor over to help. Make sure to figure out where the mud is less sticky so you can keep a second tractor from getting itself stuck, too. Guide your friend’s tractor to that safer, drier place and use a towing bar or strong chain to hook up the rescue tractor to the stuck tractor. It’s helpful to remove any implements on your tractor before you do this. Attach the towing bar or the chain to the drawbar on each tractor and have your rescuer pull your tractor out backwards.
Seeking to purchase a new tractor? Stop by one of our North Dakota dealership locations in either Harvey or Devils Lake to view our current stock of new and used tractors for sale. We have a finance department that can assist you with funding your purchase. High Plains Equipment proudly serves the cities of Minot and Grand Forks, ND.