A traction assist system and method for heavy equipment on an incline or in other situations with poor or limited traction. In particular, a traction assist system for heavy equipment having an accessory such as a blade, the system including: a tether； an adaptation to the accessory allowing the tether to be placed to allow the accessory to function without disrupting the tether, such as through-holes in the blade； and an attachment point on the heavy equipment for attaching the tether to the heavy equipment. The adaptation will depend on the particular accessory involved but may generally be an adaptation allowing the tether to pass through the accessory.
