towing a tc

[dylan]

I used a tilt load tow truck this morning. it just slid right up. My dealer had not heard of the tow bolts but is looking for them. Of course its a lots of work just to go 25 feet. I'm going to keep looking at skids or a car dolly. Something i can store in the tc so then i don't have to go all the way home to get my dolly before moving the machine off the road. If i have it on board ... any truck can pull me out of the way.

 

[DEWFPO]

TireSkates for moving that car, truck or boat around by hand. might be an option. They make them to handle up to 10K lbs. per set of 4.

Seems to me it would be easier to jack up the TC and put these underneath to roll up onto a tow truck then getting underneath and pulling shuttle spools and the like.

Of course, once you get it on these, gravity will take over unless you change 2 of the 4 casters on each skate to the non-swiveling type.

DEWFPO

 

[J_J]

dylan,

If the transmission in your TC is a hydrostatic transmission, there is a way to tow the unit at a very slow speed. On the hydrostatic transmission on the Power-Trac, there is a slotted pin that you turn to open a path for the fluid to move through the transmission and the wheel motors. It is not designed for long distances or towing fast, as it will build up heat really fast. My Dixie Chopper, has a similar device to allow towing. I have a hydrostatic lawn mower that someone pushed and locked up the transmission.

It could be as simple as turning a screw or turning a nut, or a lever. a certain direction .

The procedure for towing your machine should be in the manual, and if you don't have one, it might be available on line.

 

[DEWFPO]

The TC's have automatic locking brakes. In the procedure you have to release the brakes by installing the 4 bolts and removing the shuttle spool and associated parts.

DEWFPO

 

[Navigator7]

I'm going to keep looking at skids or a car dolly. If i have it on board ... any truck can pull me out of the way.

I was imagining UHMW skids attached to a metal frame like a wheel chock.
How you get the machine in the air to slip 'em on is another matter??

 

[dylan]

I like those tires skates! UHMW might work too, especially on snow covered roads. I'm going to make a set with removable wheels. I usually use another machine to lift each end of the tc or keep a hydraulic jack in the toolbox and do one corner at a time.

Thanks for the suggestion JJ. I was hoping for something like you suggested. My Hustler lawnmower has a hydraulic relief freewheel setting like you mentioned.

 

[Spudgunner]

Update: I talked to my BC mechanic and he was aware of the "magic bolts". Described them perfectly and said they had a set at the dealership. He also said they were not compatible with the "D"'s drive motor configuration.

That would explain the blank page in the "D"'s SM. Oh well, it was definitely worth a shot.

 

[timm9]

Does that mean that there is "no option" for towing a D series? You would think that by the time the engineering department got to the D series (after A, B, & C) they would hopefuly have discovered that there are and will be times that towing is the only option left, especially in the field. I was expecting a hidden button/switch to disengage the drive system so we and the tech's in the field didn't have to do surgery to get it to move. Or maybe the engineering department figured that the TC will never need to be towed?

Tim

 

[Spudgunner]

Does that mean that there is "no option" for towing a D series? You would think that by the time the engineering department got to the D series (after A, B, & C) they would hopefuly have discovered that there are and will be times that towing is the only option left, especially in the field. I was expecting a hidden button/switch to disengage the drive system so we and the tech's in the field didn't have to do surgery to get it to move. Or maybe the engineering department figured that the TC will never need to be towed?

Tim

I think it means there is no relatively easy option for towing a "D". After looking at the procedure I'm not sure there's a relatively easy option for towing any TC...but at least you can if you must. Looks like it's time for a homebrewed solution (and I'm not talking beer...although I'm sure that has a place in all this).

 

[J_J]

I like those tires skates! UHMW might work too, especially on snow covered roads. I'm going to make a set with removable wheels. I usually use another machine to lift each end of the tc or keep a hydraulic jack in the toolbox and do one corner at a time.

Thanks for the suggestion JJ. I was hoping for something like you suggested. My Hustler lawnmower has a hydraulic relief freewheel setting like you mentioned.

I stopped by the Tool Cat dealer today, and found out how to tow the Tool Cat. I did not realize you had a B series, and the guy looked up a D series for me. This is what it says. Similar to what someone else said. You have to purchase 4 of those brake lock down bolts, which will release the brakes. Chock the wheels. Remove the brake plug bolts from each axle. Screw in the two brake lock down bolts into the axle. Screw in the bolt until the top of the bolt is .5 in from the axle, then turn the lock nut down. . Do the same for the other axle. Remove the shuttle plugs from the front axle drive motor. Remove the washers springs, and spool and reinsert the plug. Do the same for the rear. Place the washers springs and spool in a baggy or something clean. Mark the front and rear bag accordingly. You can only tow for a short distance, and slow speed. They say just enough to load it on a trailer. Tow chain should be sufficient to tow 1 and 1/2 the weight of the Tool Cat. Your process for the B model should be similar. I believe he said those bolts were $118.00 a piece, but could be wrong.

Apparently what all this is doing, is holding the brakes open, and letting the motor fluid circulate with in the motor. That is why you can only tow for a short distance, because the fluid would get real hot if towed a great distance. Hope this helps.