Bulldozers seem to be sturdy machines, and they might look like something heavy, powerful, and impossible to defeat. But, as imponent as they might look, they have disadvantages, and people might wonder, can a bulldozer get stuck?
To get a dozer unstuck might be pretty hard, so it is better to avoid getting it stuck in the first place.
When Dozers Mud Out
Bulldozers are machines that are perfect for demolition and pushing things on their way. Bulldozers are often used to move the earth, help with excavation, and level the field before starting with the construction and project.
Bulldozers help to condition the field that is going to be used for the project in mind. These fields are often irregular and rough, so bulldozers are manufactured with trails that help maintain stability and distribute this heavy machine’s weight better instead of regular tires.
Even when bulldozers can work in rough terrains and slightly softer surfaces, they do not work well in finished concrete or asphalt. They might get stuck in mud or smooth surfaces like sand.
When bulldozers get on mud, they stop moving forward as the motion of the trails start to push the mud under them out, and that way, they get more stuck and even buried when trying to take the dozer out.
Fixing Getting Stuck In Place
Getting the bulldozer out of the mud can be a difficult task even for those with experience, so preventing it from getting stuck is the best option. However, there are times that it is inevitable, so here you have some tips to know what to do.
There Is More Than Just Hooking And Pulling
Any story of getting a vehicle unstuck comes with its own set of challenges. Every extraction is different; they can be anything, but not routine.
There might be many factors involved, so it is ideal for you to keep in mind this job might take more than just hooking a rope, chain, or strap and starting to pull the dozer out of the mud.
Getting the bulldozer out of the mud might be delicate and dangerous. Suppose you do not know what you are getting into and do not have experience getting a big machine out of the mud.
In that case, you should consider getting people with experience. They will know how to deal with the situation by analyzing all the factors.
Avoid doing things in a hurry and without knowing the consequences; it can cost you more and not just only money but people’s safety.
One of the factors to keep in mind is that when a heavy vehicle gets stuck, it is more challenging to pull than when it is on a regular road.
The weight of a dozer when stuck in the mud can be many times its weight. A person with experience will consider this before starting to make a plan.
Even If You Can Do It Does Not Mean You Should
One important thing to keep in mind is that, even if you think you have the equipment necessary to take the dozer out, that equipment might not be the right one.
For example, using the wrong chain might cause it to break and cause material damage and injuries. So if you can do it, try to get the correct equipment and practice safety procedures.
Also, every extraction is different; that being said, you have to look at every situation differently and address the problem accordingly. If you have tried and you are facing difficulties, call a professional. Some of these difficulties are:
- The tires are just spinning, and they start to smoke.
- The chain or strap you are using breaks.
- You see that you need to attach another chain to reach the dozer.
- You do not know what you are facing.
- You considered hooking multiple vehicles.
- You do not know the capacity of your equipment.
Know Your Situation
You have to take a deep look at the situation you are facing to understand every risk and the best solution. If the truck has harmful materials keep the following in mind:
- Secure the tank that is holding the material.
- Verify the materials on the equipment.
- The tie-downs should be intact.
- Consider removing the material from the dozer and equipment.
- Check the hoses and fittings to ensure no damage, and the hoses will not be ripped off during extraction.
- Be cautious, so the material does not get into any source of water.
- Use protective equipment to avoid injuries.
Try To Get A Recovery Team
It doesn’t matter if you are trying to get the bulldozer unstuck by yourself; always contact the recovery team. It would help if you have these handy for the recovery team:
- Product labels.
- Material safety data sheets.
- Personal protective equipment.
- A backup plan.
- Spill recovery materials.
- Emergency phone numbers.
Choose The Correct Hooking And Pulling Equipment
You must know the capacity of the equipment you will use to avoid any failure due to pushing them beyond their limits. Knowing the strength and limitations of every gear is the basics of safe practices.
By knowing this information, you ensure not using an item that might cause damage or accidents.
When Selecting The Equipment, Look For Ratings
Reviews are helpful when buying the necessary tools. You know which are the best items for the job and users’ experiences with the equipment.
Remain Calm
Maintain yourself focused and calm; if you lose your cool, you might end up making some bad decisions that could cause more damage.
Tips to prevent getting a dozer stuck
- Check the site plans before starting to work. Locate any type of holes and caverns where the dozer could fall.
- Visit the site before the first day of work, so you see what you are dealing with.
- On the visit, try to look for hidden spots where the dozer might get stuck, like water patches and low and uneven ground.
- Test the ground, look for soft spots.
- Do not go overboard when getting the bulldozer. Instead, look for a dozer that matches the size of the job.
- If there is a possibility to wait for the terrain condition to improve, wait. Even more, if you do not feel safe using a bulldozer on that site.
Final thoughts
It is better to prevent than cure, but sometimes there is not much we can do, and bulldozers end up stuck in the mud.
When a dozer gets stuck, the best practice is to call professionals if you have no idea how to deal with the situation. Always contact the recovery team and verify any harmful material that can get out of the machine’s tank.
Remember, even if you have the equipment to do the extraction by yourself. If it is not working, refrain from trying again to avoid causing damage and hire a wrecker service. As every situation is different, professionals might have better looks and ideas on pulling the dozer out of the mud.
Contracting professionals help you save money and lower the risk of provoking any significant damages to the equipment, environment, or personal accidents.
Keep safe practices and have a backup plan for everything. Remain calm and analyze the situation, verify the capacity of the equipment that is going to be used before starting any extraction. And keep in mind you will always have to use protection when facing situations like this.
