An electric winch can be time saving and pucker saving when using a tractor in sketchy conditions as you are describing. Even an inexpensive Harbor Freight winch can give you loads of confidence. Plan ahead, scoping out what your anchor point might be before you get into a predicament. I've pulled my Honda quad out of the pond mire with my tractor and had neighborly assistance with my Tundra to free the same tractor form the pond muck later. A $150 winch would have solved either of these "stucks".