Subcut Maximum Towing Capacity

MARKMILES77 · Jan 8, 2011

I am trying to find out the manufacturers recommended maximum towing capacity for the various brands of Subcut tractors.
If anyone who owns a subcut could check their owners manual and find out this figure I would be grateful (i.e. JD 2305, Kubota BX1860/2360, MF GC 2400 etc)

Thanks

Mark

CompactTractorFan · Jan 8, 2011

I think the BX is around 1700#.

bp fick · Jan 8, 2011

Most of us would sheepishly admit we have towed far, far more than the 1700 lbs that a subcut might be rated to tow. Very, very slowly, on level ground.

Still, just because we have doesn't mean we should have or would recommend it to others.

Soundguy · Jan 8, 2011

tow capacity has to take into account braking. I'm sure most tractors can pull more then they can relaibly stop..

soundguy

wvpolekat · Jan 8, 2011

Soundguy said:
tow capacity has to take into account braking. I'm sure most tractors can pull more then they can relaibly stop..

soundguy

You nailed it.

LD1 · Jan 8, 2011

If you are shopping for a SCUT, towing spec is not something I would be hung up on. There are far more important things than that. Such as lift capacities, weight, dealer support, egronomics, etc.

Not to mention I think you would be disappointed in the specs for all of them. I think my L3400, which is a CUT and a bit larger than the SCUT's, is only rated to tow like ~2400lbs. So the SCUT's are going to be a good bit less.

Personally I dont worry about it. It is a tractor. If It can tow it, great, if not, the load is too big.

If you are asking because you are debating between a SCUT and a larger CUT, then again, there are other more important factors, such as the other tasks you plan on doing with the tractor.

LarryD · Jan 9, 2011

I think Soundguy pretty much covered it, but it made me lookin the manual for any reference since it wasn't something I remembered. And it wasn't covered as far as I can tell.
I can say I have moved a horse trailer close to the same weight as my TC33 and it never balked. I would probably move even heaver equipment if needed.
I do look at my route and keep everything level, with a good landing zone in case I get a little push.

Don87 · Jan 9, 2011

I couldn't find that info in the operators manual for my Massey...........so I guess I'll stop towing when the tractor won't move:thumbsup:

willfick · Jan 9, 2011

Soundguy said:
tow capacity has to take into account braking. I'm sure most tractors can pull more then they can relaibly stop..

soundguy

So when you're pulling something heavy and precious you have to take extra precautions.
Wm

RickB · Jan 9, 2011

Don87 said:
I couldn't find that info in the operators manual for my Massey...........so I guess I'll stop towing when the tractor won't move:thumbsup:

But when you can't stop it's already too late.

LD1 · Jan 9, 2011

RickB said:
But when you can't stop it's already too late.

It doesnt matter how big the load or how small the tractor, the load can ALWAYS be stopped.

How far, or how long till the bottom of the hill........that depends.

BethesdaEC · Jan 9, 2011

LD1 said:
It doesnt matter how big the load or how small the tractor, the load can ALWAYS be stopped.

How far, or how long till the bottom of the hill........that depends.

Along those lines, "It's not the fall that kills you, It's the sudden stop at the end".

When it comes to a manufacture certifying the maximum payload for vehicles, the brakes must be able to absorb the worst case scenario. Bringing that vehicle to a stop from 70MPH down hill with hot brakes. If you are pulling something that heavy with a tractor you are already in low gear so you dealing with what 4MPH.

With a SCUT, you are not dealing with a large property so realistically the reason to use a tractor vs. the tow vehicle, is you are trying to park that trailer in an tight corner of the property where the bigger vehicle won't go.

RoyJackson · Jan 9, 2011

You may not see a "tow capacity or weight", but you should see something in your manual about maximum tongue weight on the drawbar. That should give you an indicator of what you can tow.

RickB · Jan 9, 2011

RoyJackson said:
You may not see a "tow capacity or weight", but you should see something in your manual about maximum tongue weight on the drawbar. That should give you an indicator of what you can tow.

That's right. If there were a published spec, and some moron killed himself with 100# less behind him, his lawyer friends would be all over it.

milkman · Jan 9, 2011

willfick said:
So when you're pulling something heavy and precious you have to take extra precautions.
Wm

Nice H, love the sound of them, but that is totally unsafe to tow that load with an H, you need at least a Super M to be safe.

radioman · Jan 9, 2011

bp fick said:
Most of us would sheepishly admit we have towed far, far more than the 1700 lbs that a subcut might be rated to tow. Very, very slowly, on level ground.

Still, just because we have doesn't mean we should have or would recommend it to others.

:laughing:

YUP! I can relate.

Keep in mind that the 3 pt and drawbar, tongue, pulling ratings are different.

For example the BX24 rating is:
3 pt hitch lift 1210 lbs
Lower hitch tongue weight = 550lb
Lower hitch tow 1765lbs trailer weight

Like what BP fick is trying to say- you will be very surprised what a subcut can really do regardless what the "max ratings" say. Putting a small diesel in a small tractor can do wonders in ways you can't imagine. Its just a matter of time to do it compared say to a larger tractor.

If you are trying to get the most out of tractor for least amount of money, I'd say many subcut ratings are so close it doesnt matter due to what tractor really can do. The ratings are there for a reason. SAFETY!!!!!! (well - yeah warranty issue too. :laughing

)

Its really about experience which will come with owning a tractor. Its more of sizing the tractor to the lot and task you plan to do. Why not tell us a little bit more about why you are looking for rating for all brands in subcut?

Don87 · Jan 9, 2011

RickB said:
But when you can't stop it's already too late.

Isn't that what trees and banks are for? Stopping?:laughing:

knightrider955 · Jan 9, 2011

Ive pulled 9000lbs with my tractor with no problems. If I woulda been going downhill then I woulda had major stopping issues. But on flat ground its no problem. I think I could get away with pulling 12,000lbs. But my manual says 7200lbs max. So chances are regardless of what its rated you could pull more.

MARKMILES77 · Jan 9, 2011

radioman said:
If you are trying to get the most out of tractor for least amount of money, I'd say many subcut ratings are so close it doesnt matter due to what tractor really can do.
Its really about experience which will come with owning a tractor. Its more of sizing the tractor to the lot and task you plan to do. Why not tell us a little bit more about why you are looking for rating for all brands in subcut?

The reason I asked the question was because I was surprised to see that the Cub Cadet SC 2400 Owner Manual lists the maximum towable mass as 300kg (661 Ibs). My little ride on mower can tow that, so it seemed to me to be a ridiculously low figure.

radioman · Jan 9, 2011

MARKMILES77 said:
The reason I asked the question was because I was surprised to see that the Cub Cadet SC 2400 Owner Manual lists the maximum towable mass as 300kg (661 Ibs). My little ride on mower can tow that, so it seemed to me to be a ridiculously low figure.

I thought it was a little low too so I checked. According to the website specs its 3-Point Hitch Lift Capacity @24" Behind 661 lbs
Sc2400 Sub Compact Tractor

That is the 3 point hitch [lift,not towing. But its still odd to me as for whats the weight capability. It kinda way too low, more like then half. perhaps its a mistake?