Thought I was going for that last ride

[OldMachinist]

Tonight I was having problems with the overflow pipe on the small lake in front of my house. We've had so much rain and the water level was coming faster than the 12" plastic corrigated pipe could handle and it started to float up thru the soil because it so soft. I started taking wheelbarrel loads of rip rap over to it to weight it down because I really didn't trust running the Bobcat out on the dam. But I got tired rolling the wheelbarrel back and forth so I tried the Bobcat. I got over to the pipe OK with a load on it but when I tried to back away the machine started sliding towards the water(30' deep). I managed to shut it down and climb out when it was leaning about 45 degrees on the dam.
I have to say that's closest I've come to dying in a long time. I could just picture in my mind that machine ending up at the bottom and me not able to get out.
Went to go get the truck so I could winch it back and the truck battery was dead. Jumped the truck and drove around to the back of the dam. By now the left side tires were under water and it was still sliding. Got the winch cable on it and tried to pull it back but it was pulling the truck uphill. Had to tie the truck off to a tree and finally got it pulled out.
So when your mind is trying tell you no it's too dangerous just listen.
Sorry I didn't have time to take any pictures.

 

[cnord]

Glad your ok. Just another reminder that even though its fun to drive these machines, we always have to remember they are tools and can be very dangerous.(Not saying you were playing) I bet that wheel barrel was looking fairly nice after that?

 

[830Scott]

Brother, that was smart to bail! Glad you posted your event...the definition of wisdom is; one who learns from others mistakes. A picture would have been cool

 

[waynemags]

Brother, that was smart to bail! Glad you posted your event...the definition of wisdom is; one who learns from others mistakes. A picture would have been cool

scarry feeling i bet

 

[OldMachinist]

scarry feeling i bet

After that initial holy crap feeling as I was climbing out the next thoughts were how much work it would be if it ended up going under water. It was still pouring down rain when all then was going on so I didn't have time to even think about taking pictures but I did take one this morning of the tire drags coming out of the water.

In the last week we've had over 18" of rain and 4" inches was in the 24 hours before this happened so the ground is just mush.

 

[Tazza]

After that initial holy crap feeling as I was climbing out the next thoughts were how much work it would be if it ended up going under water. It was still pouring down rain when all then was going on so I didn't have time to even think about taking pictures but I did take one this morning of the tire drags coming out of the water.

In the last week we've had over 18" of rain and 4" inches was in the 24 hours before this happened so the ground is just mush.

Glad to hear you are ok!!!! and even better that you decided to stop trying to get your self out. Many people keep trying and thinking they will be fine and just get in a worse mess, in your situation the mess could have been deadly.....
I totally agree with you, if you think its a bad idea, don't do it. My dad always tries to get me to load his truck when its up a hill, i know its a bad idea as its a tipping risk with the arms in the air, so i just say no way.
It sure would have taken a strong winch to get it out, glad you had one on your truck.

 

[fugarwe]

Glad to hear you are ok!!!! and even better that you decided to stop trying to get your self out. Many people keep trying and thinking they will be fine and just get in a worse mess, in your situation the mess could have been deadly.....
I totally agree with you, if you think its a bad idea, don't do it. My dad always tries to get me to load his truck when its up a hill, i know its a bad idea as its a tipping risk with the arms in the air, so i just say no way.
It sure would have taken a strong winch to get it out, glad you had one on your truck.

I know that adreneline punch well. Makes you appreciate your time left on earth. Really, really glad you got out. Seemed like a good idea at the time.....

 

[skidsteer.ca]

Yes I think any good operator occasionally pushes the envelope too far. But knowing when to quit is the sign of a great one. Glad to hear you got out ok. Hopefully the water is receding

 

[bobbie-g]

Yes I think any good operator occasionally pushes the envelope too far. But knowing when to quit is the sign of a great one. Glad to hear you got out ok. Hopefully the water is receding

Oldmachinist: takes a really great person to share their mistakes. Many thanks. ---RC

 

[OldMachinist]

Oldmachinist: takes a really great person to share their mistakes. Many thanks. ---RC

The water isn't going down yet. It's still raining with another 2" today and more forcasted for tomorrow. I had to go down into the creek that runs thru a 6 foot pipe under my driveway today to clear debris because it almost ran over the road the same night that I had my fun with the lake overflow. I waited until the water was down and went in with a chainsaw to cut a couple of logs. In the few minutes I was there the water went from 6" to 12" from the rain we had earlier in the day. Later in the day when I went to get the mail and stopped to check, it was 4' deep. Along with all the rain we've had power outages three different days, 8 hours on the 19th, 5 hours on the 22th and 3 hours Easter. That makes 8 times this year I've had to run the generators.

 

[bobkat843]

The water isn't going down yet. It's still raining with another 2" today and more forcasted for tomorrow. I had to go down into the creek that runs thru a 6 foot pipe under my driveway today to clear debris because it almost ran over the road the same night that I had my fun with the lake overflow. I waited until the water was down and went in with a chainsaw to cut a couple of logs. In the few minutes I was there the water went from 6" to 12" from the rain we had earlier in the day. Later in the day when I went to get the mail and stopped to check, it was 4' deep. Along with all the rain we've had power outages three different days, 8 hours on the 19th, 5 hours on the 22th and 3 hours Easter. That makes 8 times this year I've had to run the generators.

glad everything worked out . it crazy how fast things can go wrong

 

[D180man]

glad everything worked out . it crazy how fast things can go wrong

Glad your ok !!!