I bought a used Ford Ranger pickup. Came with some wood scraps in the back. The guy suggested I just drive out back and throw the wood in the burn pile. It was a bit wet, but he says we can always pull you out with the tractor. I drove out, but it wasn't one of my better judgement calls. I came walking back, with wet feet.
So, the seller fired up the tractor, and went after the Ford. Got the tractor stuck up to its axle in mud, too. He tried various things under the wheels, none helped much.
He had an old Jeep, a really old one. Enclosed cab model, with a bit of enclosed space in the back. A bit like a Chevy Suburban. Used that to pull the tractor, and my truck out.
This all took several days, in which time I wasn't driving my "new to me" truck. I should have just carried the scrap out back. Or, dump the scrap on the driveway and lethim put it on the burn pile.
No doubt and I agree with using hooks on the chain.
Still a knot works when necessary. We were almost knee deep in mud one day in a swamp. A flatbed '67 Chevy truck. STUCK!
My brother stuck a 1/4 - 1/3 stick of dynamite under the rear axle, certain it would help (long story). WRONG.
The truck lifted and dropped into the Everglades muck. What a hole that axle dropped into. Tires in deep. Axle under the mud.
Two more trucks, chains with and without hooks finally pulled the ole Chevy out. It took some knots to do it.
Not to mention two days me and my bride spent stuck another time (I was AWOL from work)
Thanks for the memory.