Max safe depth for water crossing?

[drygulch]

I have to cross or work in creeks fairly regularly, and sometimes they are higher than others. I've been comfortable getting up to the step on my L3901 to cross, but curious if anyone has advise on how deep is too deep?

What components are susceptible to taking on water or doing damage to the tractor by being briefly submerged?

Thanks for any input,

Greg

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Way too many factors at play to give you a solid answer.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Water that is "over the axles" would be of concern to me, especially if it is on a regular basis, but I suppose there are few other things like wheel bearings and stuff that the grease could get washed out of would be concerning as well.

I have been in deep mud, once or twice, but never water that deep.

 

[mikester]

AI says "The maximum safe depth for a water crossing in a vehicle depends on the vehicle's wading depth, which is the maximum depth of water it can safely traverse. For most SUVs and 4x4s, this is typically between 400mm and 800mm, while purpose-built off-road vehicles can handle depths of 800mm or more. However, even if within the wading depth, factors like water flow, bottom conditions, and vehicle modifications also affect safety"

Always believe what google tells you

 

[GrumpyFarmer]

Good day.

I spend time in Japan from time to time, and have always been fascinated when I see their equipment in the paddies.

Take a look at the link and scroll down to ‘application’…I am not saying this is ok or not, but I did not see a disclaimer either o pic in the paddy

Tractor | Products & Solutions | Kubota Global Site

Kubota's tractors: Kubota offers full selection of products from small to large-sized tractors which are active in diverse utilization.

www.kubota.com

personally I’d be more worried about getting stuck if just dipping your feet in the water. I cross stream regularly but it’s not mucky. If it felt mucky I would not do that. Personally I would not want water and muck up at the first grease point (that it could reach).

 

[GreensvilleJay]

hmm, does front axle have a 'breather' port on it ?
HST et al will be fine, they are a sealed unit(might be a breather ?? but up high ) ?
real offroaders can submerge their rigs, as they have air snorkels.
diesels run fine underwater. had ag as JEEP that was OK as well.

 

[D2Cat]

Biggest variable is the water moving or retained? Kubota's original duty was usage in rice paddies. That is why there is a drain hole, with the always questioned, in in the bell housing.

 

[NCL4701]

For a farm/utility type tractor that hasn’t been modified in any way working in moving water, I’ve always tried to keep the water level below the bottom of the axles. Yeah, it’s probably fine a little deeper than that, at least for a short time, but working in moving fresh water it seems inevitable you run into a hole or sink up a bit or you get in a position where a wave builds up on the upstream side of the machine and it almost always gets a bit deeper than intended. Salt or brackish water I would definitely want to keep below the bottom of the axles at all times. That’s worked well for me for at least a few different tractors.

I know there are people who mod off road vehicles for deep water fording, but that takes a LOT more thought and modification than just sticking a snorkel on the intake.

 

[JonM]

as long as you can see the bottom and the water does not touch the axles. this is more true if your crossing moving water than a known puddle. ttactors are very easy to tip over hitting holes

water moves material surprisingly fast even concrete and asphalt or compacted gravel.

plenty of video of idiots fording rivers with snorkels on vehicles. im not telling you what to do by any stretch. its your life and your equipment.

 

[Tarmy]

Figures…that car has CA plates…and I can attest that we have the worst drivers….here from every place on earth these days.


To answer the question…the mud/soft bottom needs to be added into the equation as well. Water plus mud/silt plus current…all part of the pucker factor calculatio.

 

[drygulch]

Good day.

I spend time in Japan from time to time, and have always been fascinated when I see their equipment in the paddies.

Take a look at the link and scroll down to ‘application’…I am not saying this is ok or not, but I did not see a disclaimer either o pic in the paddy

Tractor | Products & Solutions | Kubota Global Site

Kubota's tractors: Kubota offers full selection of products from small to large-sized tractors which are active in diverse utilization.

www.kubota.com

personally I’d be more worried about getting stuck if just dipping your feet in the water. I cross stream regularly but it’s not mucky. If it felt mucky I would not do that. Personally I would not want water and muck up at the first grease point (that it could reach).

Thanks GrumpyFarmer, def interesting to see this image. Also went and found a couple similar youtube videos of kubotas out in the paddies.

Our creeks are rocky where I'm in them, and not enough current to get swept away. Generally if I'm doing any prolonged work like collecting rocks, it may max at 6 inches. Very solid and nothing that concerns me now, although it was a little unnerving the first time.

Crossing our biggest one gets a bit deeper though. When doing a burn down that way I'll also dip the front there to get buckets of water for fire control.

Now I'm considering installing a rice paddy...watch for posts over on "who's into homegrown"

 

[Bee-Positive]

Damn, I sure could have used a set of those bolt-on paddles trying to mow my water logged yard this spring.

Is that a rototiller on the back of that B? Muddy water must be hell on bearing and what not.

I was thinking (which always leads to trouble) my exhaust comes out not much higher than the front axle. If the water is even temporarily high enough to block the exhaust could that stall the engine and result in a big SNAFU?

 

[Runs With Scissors]

If the water is even temporarily high enough to block the exhaust could that stall the engine and result in a big SNAFU?

I have "dipped" a few truck/automtive exhausts in the water when taking boats in and out, and I have never had a problem stalling them.

But as per usual, I am sure there is a "point of no return" that some "Num-nut" will try to surpass. Like this guy. hahahahah

Man I would have loved to witness that "first hand"

 

[chim]

I avoid getting the axles under water. Back in the day there may have been a Chevy or two (carefully) driven on flooded roads. The self-imposed depth limit was reached when the nice exhaust sounded more like "blurble - blurble - blurble. Then it took a bit of driving while riding the brakes until they felt normal.

There were stories about offroad rigs having air lines to maintain a slight positive pressure on axles back in the 70's to prevent water infiltration.

 

[BAP]

I have "dipped" a few truck/automtive exhausts in the water when taking boats in and out, and I have never had a problem stalling them.

But as per usual, I am sure there is a "point of no return" that some "Num-nut" will try to surpass. Like this guy. hahahahah

View attachment 157849


Man I would have loved to witness that "first hand"

Screw the car, I’m going boating.

 

[drygulch]

Curious about Kubotas in paddies, I kept running across the MU4501 model in use in deep mud. My mind instantly thought "Mud Utility". Note the exhaust configuration.

Greg

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Curious about Kubotas in paddies, I kept running across the MU4501 model in use in deep mud. My mind instantly thought "Mud Utility". Note the exhaust configuration.

Greg

MU = Multi Utility

Kubota does make a Mudder

 

[chim]

That video will be used to answer when someone asks "how dry should it be for rototilling"

 

[686970]

I have to cross or work in creeks fairly regularly, and sometimes they are higher than others. I've been comfortable getting up to the step on my L3901 to cross, but curious if anyone has advise on how deep is too deep?

What components are susceptible to taking on water or doing damage to the tractor by being briefly submerged?

Thanks for any input,

Greg

You can go through some pretty deep water. Try not to park in it though. Check your fluids more often to see if they look milky. If your exhaust gets under water for a bit no big deal unless it shuts off.
Now that I've said that, if your tractor is one of the newer completely computer controlled jobs. I would be scared to get it wet washing it.