Retrieving a stuck 2019 Defender XT Cab HD10

[Andystoy19]

I updated my build thread after I went grouse hunting 2 weeks ago and found myself stuck in the muskeg. It took 4 1/2 hrs. to pull the machine back and out of this muskeg hole.

The box on my defender is 39" off the ground and in the picture it is about an inch below the water and mud so it took a lot of winching and several changes to the rescue plan. The vegetation on top is strong enough to support a quad with large tires and we had about 3/4" of ice in the holes so my brother in laws Honda was able to get through but I had to turn as I entered the area and broke through on the left side, front and rear wheels not visible at surface and 12" of icy water inside the cab on the drivers side and just a couple of inches below the air intake. The passenger side tires were on top of the surface so getting in and out of the passenger door was a real chore.

#1 I have a 4500 lb. winch on front so I secured that to some trees in front and broke the winch line pulling forward.

#2 I have a 4500 lb. winch on the back but couldn't reach the hitch so we attempted to secure the hook from the Honda to the hitch and pulled off my winch wires for the rear winch.

#3 Finally got the rear winch line secured to the hitch so that we could double line from there to the Honda no movement.

#4 We secured a spot about 5 feet off the ground on a 5" swamp spruce to change the angle of lift and direction, anchored the Honda to another spruce to prevent sliding forward while double lined. This worked allowing us to move backward an inch or 2 at a time until it stopped coming.

#5 I dug out a ratchet strap and secured the swamp spruce to a bunch of other trees to prevent pulling it over and dug out my 3500 # come along. This hookup allowed us to pull back a couple more inches but it was obvious we were hung up by some stumps and roots below the surface.

#6 I dug out my shovel with a long end and started digging away the ice and mud behind the machine on my knees. After finding the top of the rear tire I started digging along the suspension under the winch where I found a stump and some roots holding the suspension down. Using a swede saw and axe I was able to cut enough off the stump that we could secure the winch line from the Honda and pull the stump and some roots out. Finally using the come along with the Honda double lined we were able to raise the rear suspension up and pull the machine back. Using the chain saw we were able to clear enough swamp spruce out of the way so that I could turn the machine and back clear of the musked. The front right side of the machine was sitting on a 5" stump under the skid plate which gave us the right to left tilt and nothing but muck on the left side so no assistance from the tires to move at all.

#7 Drove back to the truck with the heater on to warm my knees and hands, loaded onto the trailer and drove home.

The next day I decided to install my rear rhino 2.0 axles and 1 Demon front axle, the second arrived a couple of days later and has been installed as well. I have a tether to the rear hitch secured in the box and the front is secured to the bumper so reaching down in the muck is not required. The winch line is about 10 ft shorter and has been respliced. I carry a sheave for double lining and plenty of rope and winch cable to reach close to 200'. The box of emergency spares has been cleaned and repacked with a 4000lb. come along that can be double lined and we should be ready to go again next week. We are both 75 and this beats sitting at home watching the talking heads on TV. Enjoy the ride.

 

[elfelectric]

What a story!

[dirtco]

RULE1 never drive where you have not walked

[Andystoy19]

You can walk on muskeg but there are places where it has weak spots that will support you but not a quad or a sxs.😉