Hi Phil! As soon as you mentioned using the grapple in that muck zone, I knew you were doomed! LOL! One other thing you might have tried is to open the grapple so the tines could stick in the muck as you curled the grapple up while backing up. Thanks for sharing!
Woods Tree Farm not a problem, it may take you several attempts to see exactly what works for your area and your pond. I live in SW Oklahoma and I just wait until about a month before spring and start doing my clearing up of my pond at that time. Not sure exactly where you are but you may have to wait until a different time of year to do your pond. It is best to wait until it’s and the ground around it are at their driest otherwise you sink like a rock. I’ve done that multiple times and even had to have a huge excavator get me unstuck because nothing else would get me unstuck. I like what you’re doing with your place though,keep up the good work and stay safe.
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that has a hard time using the grapple to get unstuck. The bucket is generally quick and easy, the grapple I struggle with.
One thing I didn't try was opening the grapple against the ground to see if it was strong enough to push the tractor. Oh well, got it out with the truck and didn't even have to warm up the obt
Glad you got your tractor back. My experience has taught me ponds and tractors don’t mix too many things can go wrong and getting stuck being the best outcome. I was bush hogging around a pond many years ago and almost lost a JD 4440 when the ground gave way. Take care brother
I use to hang my brush hog over the edge it did a pretty good job not ideal but it kept me out of the pond. Good luck Phil.You are right about making the pond deeper.
As for cleaning up around the pond, I think a stump bucket for short digging, while a mini excavator for longer digging would do the trick. Regarding using the grapple to get unstuck, when you buy a grapple maybe you should consider getting a bucket type grapple instead a root grapple. A bucket grapple has longer teeth along the bottom which permits you to carry more brush, and when you curl up to get unstuck you will have more travel.
Tractors and pond and creek banks are a accident waiting to happen and best approach is a Long Reach Excavator or in your case to pull the brush and trees off the bank a long brush grabber chain and pull them out . Or a tractor with a side mounted boom mower would even be a good option
I am thinking a little e35 bobcat mini ex would be about the right size for that job. I don’t know what number that would equate with other brands. We use one at our shop for random odds and ends but I did use it for a very similar job near by our shop and it worked almost too well.
I was getting nervous watching how fast you were backing up to the water with that landscape rake. I thought you were going to dump it in the drink at any time. If I had the situation with that shallow swampy area I'd think I would just fill it in rather that make it deeper. Be safe.
You need a excavator to clean the edges of your pond up but be careful because they can sink and get stuck as well. I think if you would of had your bucket on the tractor could of pushed its self out
I was waiting for your wife to start yelling at you when the back tires were off the ground 👍 looks like stuff I do. Need to maybe Rent a mini excavator
Hi Phil! As soon as you mentioned using the grapple in that muck zone, I knew you were doomed! LOL! One other thing you might have tried is to open the grapple so the tines could stick in the muck as you curled the grapple up while backing up. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the comment! I didn't think about using the grapple open in the moment.
I use a rear blade, box blade and front loader to clean mine up every spring
I'll have to give the blade a try. Thanks!
Woods Tree Farm not a problem, it may take you several attempts to see exactly what works for your area and your pond. I live in SW Oklahoma and I just wait until about a month before spring and start doing my clearing up of my pond at that time. Not sure exactly where you are but you may have to wait until a different time of year to do your pond. It is best to wait until it’s and the ground around it are at their driest otherwise you sink like a rock. I’ve done that multiple times and even had to have a huge excavator get me unstuck because nothing else would get me unstuck. I like what you’re doing with your place though,keep up the good work and stay safe.
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that has a hard time using the grapple to get unstuck. The bucket is generally quick and easy, the grapple I struggle with.
One thing I didn't try was opening the grapple against the ground to see if it was strong enough to push the tractor. Oh well, got it out with the truck and didn't even have to warm up the obt
Glad you got your tractor back. My experience has taught me ponds and tractors don’t mix too many things can go wrong and getting stuck being the best outcome. I was bush hogging around a pond many years ago and almost lost a JD 4440 when the ground gave way. Take care brother
I use to hang my brush hog over the edge it did a pretty good job not ideal but it kept me out of the pond. Good luck Phil.You are right about making the pond deeper.
Thanks 👍.. using the bushhog was how I got it as neat as is now. In the past you could hardly see the pond at all
Good video. There's two types of people who get stuck. Those who have and those who will. 😁
haha, Hank. I know that's right!
Snow and mud, the downside to the R4s.
fortunately we don't get much snow.
How about replacing those tyres with ag tyres?
haha. Yeah. Every time its wet, I curse these R4s.
We burn around the lakes here.. Cat tails and old dry leaves... But best to have the fire department on standby.
As for cleaning up around the pond, I think a stump bucket for short digging, while a mini excavator for longer digging would do the trick. Regarding using the grapple to get unstuck, when you buy a grapple maybe you should consider getting a bucket type grapple instead a root grapple. A bucket grapple has longer teeth along the bottom which permits you to carry more brush, and when you curl up to get unstuck you will have more travel.
Good thinking.
Rent a Kubota kx 080- that will get the job done!
Seems like that's something I'll have to do one of these days!
💥 Remember, tractors vs water edges usually end up badly. You need a Ventrac for that type of application. Contact Tim Marks.
Keep on tractoring! 👍
Thanks for the tip. Hope you're doing well. Thanks for watching
Use a long reach trackhoe.
Tractors and pond and creek banks are a accident waiting to happen and best approach is a Long Reach Excavator or in your case to pull the brush and trees off the bank a long brush grabber chain and pull them out . Or a tractor with a side mounted boom mower would even be a good option
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I am thinking a little e35 bobcat mini ex would be about the right size for that job. I don’t know what number that would equate with other brands. We use one at our shop for random odds and ends but I did use it for a very similar job near by our shop and it worked almost too well.
Glad someone has weather they can work in, we are soaked. A mini excavator rental would likely do what you want to get done.
real nice weather here this week. Nearly 80 degrees today and tomorrow. Gonna sweat out there!
I was getting nervous watching how fast you were backing up to the water with that landscape rake. I thought you were going to dump it in the drink at any time. If I had the situation with that shallow swampy area I'd think I would just fill it in rather that make it deeper. Be safe.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Have a good one!
Excavator should do the trick
You need a excavator to clean the edges of your pond up but be careful because they can sink and get stuck as well. I think if you would of had your bucket on the tractor could of pushed its self out
I was waiting for your wife to start yelling at you when the back tires were off the ground 👍 looks like stuff I do. Need to maybe Rent a mini excavator
haha. She's seen me do that more than once. LOL. Usually I have more ballast
KX-91 MINI BOTA!!
Save time and rent a Excavator will do everything. Clean the edge around the pond and clean that end of the pond out.
Yeah, that seems to be the theme I'm seeing. I've never operated one, but sure it'll do the job.