LoneCowboy
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illegally
How do you transport your tractor & batwing bush hog?
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illegally
LoneCowboy
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As you know, i do this commercially and 4 years ago went thru the same issue.
we initially started by using two trucks, two trailers, two drivers and putting the rig together on site. It worked, but was painful for the other person who had to sit there while you mowed (if it was too far to go back). Plus 2 pickups is a combined 6mpg.
A big pickup (or a F550 class vehicle) plus a big gooseneck is still class A CDL territory and 60 to 70 grand and you're occasionally worried about weight and definitely brakes.
What we did was this. (see picture)
It's a OTR tractor, as short as we could find. (224" wheelbase), it has a sleeper because sleeper trucks are 10 grand cheaper than day cabs. (no, I don't really know why, more demand I suppose). 30 grand.
Plus we added another 100 gallon fuel tank with a pump, so we can refuel on the job. We got a 2 line hydraulics and matched it with hydraulic tail 48' trailer for another 30 grand or so. This is the kind of trailer you see at all the rental yards. It's a heavy trailer, it's only rated for 35 tons. (yeah, I know, cracks me up) and even has a winch up front but the hydraulic ramps are awesome. As you can see we can get BOTH tractors with mowers on the trailer. Little one does the edges, tight stuff, big one does the big stuff, NO ONE can offer that. One truck, 6.5mpg, $1/mile or so which is actually better numbers than two pickups. Plus both people are working.
Takes 4 chains to do the batwing with tractor. heavy equipment over 10,000lbs, 30feet long, check the rulebook.
I drive it under 5000 miles per year (HVUT) and it weighs out fully loaded in the 57,000lb range. I register it at 80,000 because it makes no real difference and no it's not cheap. It really only gets used May thru Sept, but I drive as far as 100 miles away occasionally. (bidding a job over 200 miles away probably be too expensive, but you never know).
It stops way better than any non-air brake vehicle (which I know you know), and it's pretty maneuverable for a 70' long vehicle (SBFA). You never worry about being overweight (total or axles), the sleeper carries a LOT of tools. You have air with you all the time. (tires, air tools, blowing out radiator, totally awesome. We've replaced a stumpjumper on a job site do that with a pickup)
BUT
It doesn't fit sometimes. I simply can't do some jobs (no place to park, road too busy, but they are usually small and I don't miss them and we're talking 2 or 3 jobs a year.). I park on the side of the road a lot and no one cares. I carry cones with me if the road is busier than I expect.
It pays for itself. (but it didn't the first year or two I admit that)
BUT
In your situation, I'd buy a long pintle hitch trailer with air brakes and put it behind your dump truck. Cheapest solution that will get you going without losing money. Trailers are cheap to register and insure and you already have the truck, air to the back and CDL Class A.
But you wanted to see what we did.
HTH, feel free to PM
we initially started by using two trucks, two trailers, two drivers and putting the rig together on site. It worked, but was painful for the other person who had to sit there while you mowed (if it was too far to go back). Plus 2 pickups is a combined 6mpg.
A big pickup (or a F550 class vehicle) plus a big gooseneck is still class A CDL territory and 60 to 70 grand and you're occasionally worried about weight and definitely brakes.
What we did was this. (see picture)
It's a OTR tractor, as short as we could find. (224" wheelbase), it has a sleeper because sleeper trucks are 10 grand cheaper than day cabs. (no, I don't really know why, more demand I suppose). 30 grand.
Plus we added another 100 gallon fuel tank with a pump, so we can refuel on the job. We got a 2 line hydraulics and matched it with hydraulic tail 48' trailer for another 30 grand or so. This is the kind of trailer you see at all the rental yards. It's a heavy trailer, it's only rated for 35 tons. (yeah, I know, cracks me up) and even has a winch up front but the hydraulic ramps are awesome. As you can see we can get BOTH tractors with mowers on the trailer. Little one does the edges, tight stuff, big one does the big stuff, NO ONE can offer that. One truck, 6.5mpg, $1/mile or so which is actually better numbers than two pickups. Plus both people are working.
Takes 4 chains to do the batwing with tractor. heavy equipment over 10,000lbs, 30feet long, check the rulebook.
I drive it under 5000 miles per year (HVUT) and it weighs out fully loaded in the 57,000lb range. I register it at 80,000 because it makes no real difference and no it's not cheap. It really only gets used May thru Sept, but I drive as far as 100 miles away occasionally. (bidding a job over 200 miles away probably be too expensive, but you never know).
It stops way better than any non-air brake vehicle (which I know you know), and it's pretty maneuverable for a 70' long vehicle (SBFA). You never worry about being overweight (total or axles), the sleeper carries a LOT of tools. You have air with you all the time. (tires, air tools, blowing out radiator, totally awesome. We've replaced a stumpjumper on a job site do that with a pickup)
BUT
It doesn't fit sometimes. I simply can't do some jobs (no place to park, road too busy, but they are usually small and I don't miss them and we're talking 2 or 3 jobs a year.). I park on the side of the road a lot and no one cares. I carry cones with me if the road is busier than I expect.
It pays for itself. (but it didn't the first year or two I admit that)
BUT
In your situation, I'd buy a long pintle hitch trailer with air brakes and put it behind your dump truck. Cheapest solution that will get you going without losing money. Trailers are cheap to register and insure and you already have the truck, air to the back and CDL Class A.
But you wanted to see what we did.
HTH, feel free to PM
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LCB,
That is a really nice set up you have. If I were in your shoes, I'd do it much the same way. You are doing this the right way if I had the flexibility you have. I guess it's difficult for me to explain to others (not really you so much, but others who tried to be helpful) the following:
I can't plow snow & spread anti-skid with a road tractor.
I can't pick up my son from football practice with a road tractor in a pinch when he needs a ride.
I can't park a road tractor in a 9' garage.
I already bought a 12 ton tag and have tried to use it for pulling tractor & mower and all other junk around and it's just too clumsy & clunky. Can't park it for most of the bigger customers, but I can still use it if needed.
I realize braking won't even approach what my air braked dump truck or your truck can do, but my loads won't be more than 16-18,000lbs on the heaviest day. An F-550 with a good dual tandem trailer shouldn't have any trouble with that.
Would love to have something like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_W0Q...emZ110733734104QQsspagenameZSTRKQ3aMEWAXQ3aIT
That is a really nice set up you have. If I were in your shoes, I'd do it much the same way. You are doing this the right way if I had the flexibility you have. I guess it's difficult for me to explain to others (not really you so much, but others who tried to be helpful) the following:
I can't plow snow & spread anti-skid with a road tractor.
I can't pick up my son from football practice with a road tractor in a pinch when he needs a ride.
I can't park a road tractor in a 9' garage.
I already bought a 12 ton tag and have tried to use it for pulling tractor & mower and all other junk around and it's just too clumsy & clunky. Can't park it for most of the bigger customers, but I can still use it if needed.
I realize braking won't even approach what my air braked dump truck or your truck can do, but my loads won't be more than 16-18,000lbs on the heaviest day. An F-550 with a good dual tandem trailer shouldn't have any trouble with that.
Would love to have something like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_W0Q...emZ110733734104QQsspagenameZSTRKQ3aMEWAXQ3aIT
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Why not?
RickB
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Because the notion hasn't been thought through; he wants an F550.
Same reason he can't pick his kid up from practice with a road tractor; he will look better doing it in an F550.
The entire thread is irrelevant because the OP's mind was made up prior to the first post.
Drop the anger that I'm not doing what you want me to do. My mind wasn't completely made up, but I did have strong feelings that way.
BTW: It has nothing to do with "looks". Also maybe you missed the snowplow & 9' garage reasons for the 5th time. :confused2:
My original intent of the thread was is to see pictures of other truck & trailer combinations, like SLHawkins and LoneCowboy were able to show. From my original post:
They get it. You don't. Even though LCB uses and recommends a road tractor, he understands why I'm probably not going that route without being obnoxious. Hawk is towing a tractor and batwing with a smaller tuck. They are actually out there doing the work, which is more than we can say about you.
Maybe you should follow your own advice about thanking a teacher like you say in your signature because it's obvious your not reading what I say, just pushing your own agenda.
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Farmwithjunk
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My thoughts also....I have a plow mount on my Kenworth...
Soundguy
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Why?
Why? again?
Why would a 1 ton or 1.5 ton, and say, a 30' gn hauling a tractor and batwing on a dual tanden ( all weights being ok ).. be illegal or need ANY CDL as long as it is non comercial. IE.. hauling your tractor to / from your property for solely your own use.
if it's under 26k and non comercial.. sounds like plain old class E drivers license territory to me.
soundguy
Farmwithjunk
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I'll take this one...
1st off, the person LC was replying (Builder) to IS using his truck in a commercial application.
2nd, and this one is "iffy"....Falls back on your "all weights being OK"......Depends on how you load the truck/trailer, and what sort of weight you're looking at. With the overall length of a tractor and bat wing, your hand is forced somewhat as to where you scale the weight and on which axle(s) the weight is carried as to the legality of the load.
#2 is why I bought a road tractor/lowboy....It's overkill, yes, but I'm not at the mercy of a well intended but otherwise no so careful employee balancing the load a little front heavy....
Soundguy
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Oh ok. I must missed a post or two.. didn't know that we were talking about a haul for commercial purposes.
Mine are all just for me.. non comercial, not for hire. I hear ya on the employee problem.
big difference if you the owner are doing everything, vs having a 'helper'.
heck.. anymore I cheat. i've painted index lines in red, orange, green and white paint on my trailer decks to corespond to different tractor / implement combinations... that way I can pull on till my fronts hit their respective color lines and know I'm pretty much loaded where I need to be for proper tounge weight.
With no signs or #'s on my truck, so far I've yet to ever be hassled by DOT, nor do I expect to be ( knock on wood ). I don't have a cdl, but then, I'm not commercial either.. no hire out.. just me moving my stuff to / from my properties. For a 'feel good' moment, I have taken my rig down to the cat scales at the interstate and weighed unloaded and loaded to make sure I was 26k or leass, and within trailer and truck ratings on my F450. So far.. unless I stick a pallate of wet sod or something like a smartcar on the front of the trailer.. I should be OK..
soundguy
Mine are all just for me.. non comercial, not for hire. I hear ya on the employee problem.
big difference if you the owner are doing everything, vs having a 'helper'.
heck.. anymore I cheat. i've painted index lines in red, orange, green and white paint on my trailer decks to corespond to different tractor / implement combinations... that way I can pull on till my fronts hit their respective color lines and know I'm pretty much loaded where I need to be for proper tounge weight.
With no signs or #'s on my truck, so far I've yet to ever be hassled by DOT, nor do I expect to be ( knock on wood ). I don't have a cdl, but then, I'm not commercial either.. no hire out.. just me moving my stuff to / from my properties. For a 'feel good' moment, I have taken my rig down to the cat scales at the interstate and weighed unloaded and loaded to make sure I was 26k or leass, and within trailer and truck ratings on my F450. So far.. unless I stick a pallate of wet sod or something like a smartcar on the front of the trailer.. I should be OK..
soundguy
