mmmmmm. So this causeway on my way out from the house to the main road is causing a stir.
Last week it was overflowing and denied me crossing. Then Tuesday it puts a tree in my way and I had to get wet to remove it. Today it cursed the tractor's diesel pump.
Tractor and trailer stranded on the causeway. There is nothing on the farm (except the bulldozer and that's still dodgy) that can tow it out........ except maybe the pajero.
So off I go to have a look.
Tried bleeding the pump on the tractor but all's well up to the pump and the pump does not want to get diesel out to the injector pipes.
I'm not about to start strip a pump that I have no knowledge off, so I decide to tow the 2 out.
By now 2 locals have arrived as the tractor is still blocking the causeway. I ignore their advice on what to do as I was confident they will not give advice on how to pay if a rope comes through my window.
I haven't done many recoveries, but I've read a lot on various forums about good and bad scenarios, and forced myself to remain calm and double check everything.
I first disconnect the trailer from the tractor.
- firstly because I knew the pajero might be strong enough but the rope wouldn't handle the weight
- secondly, the tractor trailer was facing away from me.
I then connected a rope to the trailer's front end and pulled it around 180 degrees.
Now with much umph and aaaaahh we managed to hitch the tractor trailer onto the pajero's pin type tow hitch (newly acquired a couple of weeks ago)
I ignored a chirp from a bystander that the pajero will just spin and won't make it up the steep muddy bank that was under water just 2 days before.
4LLc and rear diff lock engaged. I use the tiptronic to keep it in 1st so I can keep full control without jerking.
Without so much as single wheel chirp the pajero just hauled the trailer out first before the boost even came in at 2000rpm.
I took it slow (1st gear all the way) as I guess the weight on the tow hitch was about 400-600kg.
By the time I got back to fetch the tractor another 4x4 bakkie came from the other side (where there's better traction) and managed to pull the tractor 40m to get it out of the way so they can pass.
Now I had to tow the tractor out the same slope as the trailer.
I hooked up the rope and connected safety ropes to the shackles in case of a snap or failure. (I didn't want to use chains as I don't like the jerk forces - especially using low range power against the momentum of a tractor).
Again the pajero surprised me. As with the trailer I used low range and rear diff lock and the pajero just hauled it without a sweat.
I'm yet to go through the video Shalene took and may post later.
Here is a pic of the tractor behind me
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