what's the farthest you're comfortable driving on the road?

[Threepoint]

there won't be a load, just the bush hog on back. tractor has a SMV sign on it, and IF I was going to drive it on the road the flashers would be on as well. I've decided I'm just going to trailer it though. it's not that big a deal to load up

Papachaz, a related issue is liability insurance, which you may already have considered. Do you have a commercial policy for your tractor that will cover you against liability to third parties while roading off your property? If not, then this isn't even a close question. If you haul with your truck and trailer, your auto insurance policy will ordinarily cover you against liability, so long as you have designated business use for your tow vehicle (since you're doing the mowing for compensation).

 

[LouNY]

We have fields that we farm that are about 3 miles from the home farm, this week was chopping corn with 3 tractors hauling wagons back and forth several trip each day. routinely road haul with tractors 2-3 miles and don't give it a second thought.
Many of the big dairies around here move tractors and equipment 15 miles from the home places they haul with dump trucks and tractor trailers but the mowers and choppers and related equipment roads to the fields and in the spring all the tillage equipment and planters road to the fields.
Sometimes depending on the road and situations we will use a pickup to escort a tractor or equipment especially if its getting towards dusk or dark.

Some times I see vehicles behind me turn their flashers on even if they are not escorting me, some may not be in a hurry or they may have an idea of where I'm going and know it's not that far and aren't concerned about passing me, especially on a road with lots hills and knolls and blind curves to hide on coming traffic.

 

[strantor]

I drive the tractor occasionally into town (single stoplight town, and it's just a flashing red light) to fill up with diesel or grab something to bring home and work and work on. I don't like it. I feel safer going 120mph in a pickup than I do Going 18mph on the tractor. I only do it because I'm in a hurry or being lazy. I think I'm going to put some rear view mirrors on it. That would help a bunch. A couple of weeks ago I was coming home with a riding mower on my forks that someone had posted online for free, and out of nowhere Richard Petty came screaming past me in a dually with 12" exhaust stacks rolling coal and pulling 3-axle trailer overloaded with tree branches hanging over the side that nearly hit my ROPS. He was probably going 75mph in a 45mph zone. He probably had no idea how big of a loaf he almost caused in my seat.

 

[oosik]

Just about a year ago - coming home from down south - windy two lane country roads. My brand new BMW R1200GSA - it was pitch black. Came around a corner and there coming at me - more darn lights than I've seen in a long time. My neighbor coming home with his huge IH Case and a 24 bottom reversible moldboard plow. He was using the full width of the asphalt - we both came to a full stop - chuckled a little and I tippy-toed around him as he move over a bit.

I DO NOT like riding at night - deer, back-shine off my motorcycle windshield & big tractors.

 

[Ortimber]

We own two pieces of hay ground 10 miles apart. We road our tractors and hay equipment every summer. Been doing it for years. Never had any issues, in fact I enjoy the drive. The roads are rural with very little traffic.

Here’s my son pulling the mower home.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I drive 3 miles one way to bush hog a farm. Only 1/4 mile is on a busy major 2 lane highway. The rest is on secondary roads. The busy major highway is too dangerous for a tractor now but I get away with it by going during off peak hours. When I was a boy we used to drive the tractors from one farm to the other farm about 1.5 miles on the same highway. No way now.

Couple years ago I traveled 8 miles to my dad's place on a secondary road to bush hog a lot beside his house. Had to go right through a small town. No issues. Several farms are along the way and tractors are somewhat the norm.

 

[tractorshopper]

I have driven up to about 4 miles. Little traffic, country area. On my old L3800 with max speed about 13mph, this was definitely worth not loading everything up. 2 weekends ago, I did this with my BX to till some food plots and found that with the max speed of 9 mph, it's just not as good. The second day I trailered it. I will from now on for anything similar.

I have owned 3 different tractors over the last 8 years or so and have always driven them to the Loves travel station to fuel up, but it's less than a mile from my house. Much better than dealing with cans.

 

[CobyRupert]

....Some times I see vehicles behind me turn their flashers on even if they are not escorting me, some may not be in a hurry or they may have an idea of where I'm going and know it's not that far and aren't concerned about passing me, especially on a road with lots hills and knolls and blind curves to hide on coming traffic.

...so now when the fast, impatient drivers come up behind you they will pass the escort car, the space between you and the escort car, and then you, on those knolls and blind curves, spending about 5 times more distance in the oncoming lane than if it was just you they were passing.

Escort cars are dangerous.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Actually, it's the "people trying to pass" that are dangerous!

SR

 

[LouNY]

...so now when the fast, impatient drivers come up behind you they will pass the escort car, the space between you and the escort car, and then you, on those knolls and blind curves, spending about 5 times more distance in the oncoming lane than if it was just you they were passing.

Escort cars are dangerous.

Maybe they need to slow down and not pass when they can't see the distance that they need. Especially on local town roads.