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Stuck without a 4WD

Started by SawyerBrown, January 21, 2015, 05:05:23 PM

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4x4American

Boy, back in my day..

redprospector

I believe 4x4 is essential.
I have had them buried up to the frame, front and rear...before I learned how to use it.
What you do is go as far as you can in 2 wheel drive. Then you put it in 4x4, turn around, and go home.
I haven't been stuck since I learned this little trick.  ;D
Oh yeah, a winch is real handy too.
1996 Timber King B-20 with 14' extension, Morgan Mini Scragg Mill, Fastline Band Scragg Mill (project), 1973 JD 440-b skidder, 2008 Bobcat T-320 with buckets, grapple, auger, Tushogg mulching head, etc., 2006 Fecon FTX-90L with Bull Hog 74SS head, 1994 Vermeer 1250 BC Chipper. A bunch of chainsaws.

Brucer

I towed both my manual mill and my hydraulic mill with a 1980 GMC 2WD half-ton long box. I didn't go where there was mud.

In the winter, I clamped 9 concrete blocks into a steel frame that was bolted through the box into the frame. This was right at the back of the box -- it was equivalent to having 500 extra pounds directly over the rear axle. Made a heck of a difference.

I also carried chains but only had to use them once or twice a year.

If you have trouble getting your 2WD truck up a hill that is covered with ice or frozen compact snow, spread some sawdust on the hill where your wheels are going to run. It's amazing how much better your traction is.
Bruce    LT40HDG28 bandsaw
"Complex problems have simple, easy to understand wrong answers."

FarmingSawyer

I agree a 4x4 is essential...... I've been stuck on a flat gravel road towing stuff in 2" of snow with no traction....until I put it in 4wd low...... Now, as I found out recently.....towing 8000lbs up a long steep grade in 6" of snow...4wd isn't going to help a bit. I might have had better success if I'd had chains, or aggressive mud tires, or a transmission which wasn't on it's way out....... A front mounted winch would definitely saved my bacon..... Note to Self: Put a receiver hitch mount on front bumper.... then my winch could go on the front, the rear AND my mill and trailer.

I use a suburban as my ride....great rig. Hauls plywood and building materials under cover. Keeps my mill tools dry in the rain. Goes about anywhere and has been reliable for the past 10+ years towing all sorts of stuff cross country and everywhere else. No wonder the tranny was tired. Just glad it gave out in the winter and not while I was busy milling in the summer...... My 2nd rig is my AWD Subaru. Pulls my manual mill just fine, and keeps my jobs on the dry, clear, level ground.
Thomas 8020, Stihl 039, Stihl 036, Homelite Super EZ, Case 385, Team of Drafts

blade69001

 Simple rules for 4WD , two wheels going in and only 4 wheels to get out. If it takes 4WD to get there I surely do not want to drag my mill or trailer there.  I have a Bronco that I use when I am working with wood, the rest of the time it is a Honda civic or my softail. I am looking into a bigger truck F250 or comparable and it will be 4WD because I also do some timber harvesting and will use it for that.
Sean P.
Just being me, But it is ok you do not have to like me.

Magicman

@4x4American, my problem with Warn was relay failures and water intrusion into the motors.  I have had no issues with the MileMarkers.  I have three and bought my first one in 2001.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

stumpy

I'm a firm believer of 4x4's. I've had them since I could drive for all the reasons stated.  I also love Diesels. One caution though.  If you get one of the newer diesels(like from the last 5-10 years) you will need to "work" it most of the time.  With all the emissions stuff as well as all the new electronic stuff they've added to modernize them, they don't like "easy" driving.  I don't use mine hard enough anymore and so I do alot of driving city speeds with no load.  I end up having trouble with emissions systems, and all the other sensors and electronic crap.  If you're going to get a diesel, stick with the simpler older ones.
Woodmizer LT30, NHL785 skidsteer, IH 444 tractor

WV Sawmiller

RedP,

    The problem with waiting till you get in the rough stuff to change from 2WD to 4WD is getting the 4WD to engage. All vehicles I ever had you had to make a complete rotation of the tires once you flipped the switch. Several times I have been with drivers who waited too late then we could not get the vehicle in 4WD. We always drove in 2WD till it looked like it might get sketchy ahead then change while we could still lock the 4WD. Its lots easier in more modern vehicles where you can shift on the fly from inside the cab but same principle with older models where we got out to lock the 4WD.
Howard Green
WM LT35HDG25(2015) , 2011 4WD F150 Ford Lariat PU, Kawasaki 650 ATV, Stihl 440 Chainsaw, homemade logging arch (w/custom built rear log dolly), JD 750 w/4' wide Bushhog brand FEL

Dad always said "You can shear a sheep a bunch of times but you can only skin him once

4x4American

Quote from: Magicman on January 22, 2015, 08:14:09 AM
@4x4American, my problem with Warn was relay failures and water intrusion into the motors.  I have had no issues with the MileMarkers.  I have three and bought my first one in 2001.

Thanks @magicman.  I'm looking for a winch myself and kinda trying to see what brands are worth it.  I was told that the TSC ones aren't worth the money because they don't last long.  You know you taught me something about the internet today.  I didn't know that if you put the "@" sign in front of a name it will "tag" a person.  It's amazing the amount of things these computers can do that I have no idea.
Boy, back in my day..

Magicman

I would venture to say that the @ tag is more of a FF and Jeff thing.   8)
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

4x4American

huh it didn't work for me.  Must be you worked some magic.  I never done it before, here or anywhere else. 
Boy, back in my day..

Magicman

Oh yes, your tag to me worked.  The user ID/name has to be exactly right.  :)
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

roger 4400

I own a F250  4X4 during winter season, 3 inches of snow I'm stuck unless 4X4 . For me 4X4 is a must .But something to remember, with a 4X4 you only get stuck farther and deeper  :D








Baker 18hd sawmill, massey Ferguson 1643, Farmi winch, mini forwarder, Honda foreman 400, f-250, many wood working tools, 200 acres wooden lots,6 kids and a lovely and a comprehensive wife...and now a Metavic 1150 m14 log loader so my tractor is a forwarder now

Magicman

Correct!!  :)  My (late) Brother had his winch on the rear of his Jeep.  He said when he got stuck he did not want to go further, but rather back out.  ;D
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

blackfoot griz

As a youngster and a 2wd Chevy, I found out that there are two ways to get through something. One is traction and the other is...speed!
Both my personal truck (2003 Duramax regular cab) and work truck (2013 F-150 ex cab) are 4wd.
What I don't like about the Ford is the traction control.  I was plowing through some deep, heavy, crusty snow heading up hill and mashed on the gas.  The traction control slowly but surely stopped the wheels from spinning when I wanted them to do so and I lost momentum and was buried.
It would have been easy in the Chevy.

Can you turn off the traction control on the newer models?

4x4American

I'm not sure on the Turds..Err I mean Ferds, but a friend of mine has an fj and when he wants to get wild he pops the hood and pulls out a fuse or relay for the traction control and it turns it all off. 
Boy, back in my day..

Magicman

Yes, I can disable traction control on my F250.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

taylorsmissbeehaven

I think if you purchase a 4wd you will be happy with it.  I use mine a lot for all types of different things. (I spend a lot of time in the woods getting logs and goofing off!) Its nice to be able to pop into 4wd and move through a spot that otherwise would be a problem. JMTC
Also, thanks for the good words about the Mile Marker winch Magic.I have been looking at winches for some time and couldn't make up my mind.Brian
Opportunity is missed by most because it shows up wearing bib overalls and looks like work.

SawyerBrown

Ok, y'all, I think you've got me convinced that a 4WD is almost a have-to for a legit business. While I don't really want to take the mill into a mud hole, there are times the ground is solid enough to support the weight, but too slippery for a 2WD, especially up a little grade.  Right now is a perfect example, when the ground is frozen underneath, but the air gets warm enough in the daytime to make the surface melt and get slick. In those cases, it's probably not unreasonable for a customer to expect us (me) to get to the logs.

I'd probably rather not get into the Ford/GM/Dodge debate, unless someone is aware of chronic problems with certain model years or components.  Think I'll stick with gas, especially with the current price difference in fuels. Wish they made an engine that burned sawdust ...   ;D
Pete Brown, Saw It There LLC.  Wood-mizer LT35HDG25, Farmall 'M', 16' trailer.  Custom sawing only (at this time).  Long-time woodworker ... short-time sawyer!

Magicman

I would add Toyota to the debate.   ;D

Whatever you get, be sure that at least the rear diff is limited slip.
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

JB Griffin

limited slip sure is nice, I've never had it, its pretty frustrating to have just 1 tire spin and lose traction and have to put in 4x4. ::)
2000 LT40hyd remote 33hp Kubota with 6gpm hyd unit, 150 Prentice, WM bms250, Suffolk dual tooth setter

Over 3.5million bdft sawn with a Baker Dominator.

Magicman

A 4X2 with limited slip is almost and sometimes better than a 4X4 without. 
Knothole Sawmill, LLC     '98 Wood-Mizer LT40SuperHydraulic   WM Million BF Club Member   WM Pro Sawyer Network

It's Weird being the Same Age as Old People

Never allow your "need" to make money to exceed your "desire" to provide quality service.....The Magicman

JB Griffin

That's a big 10-4 there Magic, my truck has a bad habit of sittin and spinnin and that's with a 1800lb bed on it.  >:(
2000 LT40hyd remote 33hp Kubota with 6gpm hyd unit, 150 Prentice, WM bms250, Suffolk dual tooth setter

Over 3.5million bdft sawn with a Baker Dominator.

Joe Hillmann

I modified the parking breaks on several of the two wheel drive trucks that I have had so I had one leaver for each rear break.  That way when one wheel would start to spin I could slowly apply the parking break on just that side until the power would transfer to the other wheel.  It wasn't as good as 4 wheel drive but it was way better than a one wheel wonder they were otherwise.  That set up with chains and I took at least one of those trucks anywhere a 4x4 could go.

Ianab

Basically you created a manual traction control system. And yes that would help. Same with having a limited slip diff. That will make a 2WD vehicle MUCH more capable off road, because you have to loose traction on 2 wheels, not just one.
Weekend warrior, Peterson JP test pilot, Dolmar 7900 and Stihl MS310 saws and  the usual collection of power tools :)

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