How far is too far for driving tractor on the road?

[paulsharvey]

A DK45 weights the same as a medium sized SUV, even with a loader, water in tires and a 7 ft disc, he should be no more than 6000#, or a regular pick up.

 

[akadave]

Nope. You'll spend the money for tires that could have bought a used trailer to do the job much more efficiently and enjoyable. Roads are hard on tractor tires. Maybe I missed why you don't have a trailer??

I bought a car hauler two weeks after buying my first tractor many years ago. I never wanted to be in a situation where I couldn't move the tractor. Still have both. I can't move everything I own but I can move a tractor big enough to do any jobs that come up at my other properties.

 

[CalG]

It would be interesting to track the fuel burn.

I never think of mpg when I fill a tractor tank ;-)

 

[paulsharvey]

It would be interesting to track the fuel burn.

I never think of mpg when I fill a tractor tank ;-)

Most machines hold between 6 and 12 hours of fuel at operating RPM, so after 4 hours on the road, our OP would most likely want to fill up before doing the food plot work, and coming back home. So, maybe 6 gallons per trip? Don't think thar really changes the equation. Wear on front tires and front axle seals would worry me; that's a Lot of vibrations

 

[ning]

Nope. You'll spend the money for tires that could have bought a used trailer to do the job much more efficiently and enjoyable. Roads are hard on tractor tires. Maybe I missed why you don't have a trailer??

I bought a car hauler two weeks after buying my first tractor many years ago. I never wanted to be in a situation where I couldn't move the tractor. Still have both. I can't move everything I own but I can move a tractor big enough to do any jobs that come up at my other properties.

I've been "needing" a trailer for the past 8 years, with that "need" increasing similarly to you with added concern once I got the tractor.

Still haven't needed to trailer it anywhere, though I could've used a flatbed for other reasons exactly twice in the meantime (rented one once - $100 for the day - and "borrowed" one once by using it the day I picked it up for a friend who was buying it before delivering it to her (yes she knew lol)). Pretty sure I've come out ahead by not having one yet, but I'm still on the lookout for as good a deal as my friend got for hers ($1500 for a 16' 7000# with really nice ramps and great condition - though I'd probably "need" a 10k).

However if I had a need to move my tractor twice a year 43 miles each way, I'd be buying the first decently priced one I found.

 

[ning]

It would be interesting to track the fuel burn.

I never think of mpg when I fill a tractor tank ;-)

My tractor get a bit over an hour of work done per gallon, best I can tell, though I've never used a whole tank doing max-hp work. So, I'd say at least a gallon per hour.
My guess is that 43 miles would take at least 4 hours - probably 5 including a break or two, possibly 5.5, but let's say 4 hours of tractor-equivalent. The 45 is probably a little more thirsty than my 35, but I'll leave it at 1 gallon per hour. So that 43 miles, in 4 hours, is about 10mpg.

At $3.50/gal, the trip would be ~$14 each way in fuel.
Also the trip would be nearly 1/10 each way of an engine oil change, count that in the time & expense cost of the trip.
It's quite possible that the extra tire wear wouldn't be the most expensive part of the trip, to be honest.

 

[paulsharvey]

My tractor get a bit over an hour of work done per gallon, best I can tell, though I've never used a whole tank doing max-hp work. So, I'd say at least a gallon per hour.
My guess is that 43 miles would take at least 4 hours - probably 5 including a break or two, possibly 5.5, but let's say 4 hours of tractor-equivalent. The 45 is probably a little more thirsty than my 35, but I'll leave it at 1 gallon per hour. So that 43 miles, in 4 hours, is about 10mpg.

At $3.50/gal, the trip would be ~$14 each way in fuel.
Also the trip would be nearly 1/10 each way of an engine oil change, count that in the time & expense cost of the trip.
It's quite possible that the extra tire wear wouldn't be the most expensive part of the trip, to be honest.

Time is the most expensive part of the trip. If you just spent 4 hours roading your machine, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say your probably not going to get any productive work done that day. So, if we road day 1, work day 2, and return day 3; we have spent 3 days to do 1 day of work.

Anyone really road machines that much, your back is not gonna be happy. The constant bouncing on the seat, kinda jams your lower back, and there is a reason old farmers and old equipment operators walk weird, cause their back hurts.

 

[RayIN]

If that's the MF listed on your bio that 31 must be kph you would be lucky to get 17-18 miles per hour on flat ground.
Also I do believe that the must pull over is only when safe to do so, with adequate room.

Good catch! I fat-fingered that; should be 21 MPH @ 2,200 RPM per the operators manual.
In actuality, that is theoretical, as the operators manual also states not to operate the engine at maximum throttle unless under a load, which road driving would be-unloaded.

 

[newbury]

17.8 mph seems about right at WOT. I run slightly less than that so I'd guess about 15 mph. The route I take to the property crosses #1 on 96 highway a two lane there. Lots of traffic but fairly well traffic lighted up. A few small towns along the way but the bulk of it is pretty rural. Mine isn't the HST but a geared model.

As for the JD F1445 its a front commercial grade mower. No 3pt on it. Its a beast when mowing. I can mow our 19.+ acre farm in about 4.5 hrs when I'm motivated and hadn't let it get too tall. Much of that is dodging fruit trees/bushes, vineyards.

Just make sure you've got all flashers, SMV signs etc. are there and DO IT on a nice day. Then report back with pictures.
If it is possible to leave it there SAFE AND SECURE overnight get an alternative mode of transportation to return home and come back the next day to work more on your plots (to minimize tractor road trip). Maybe put a Harley in the FEL

 

[CalG]

My tractor get a bit over an hour of work done per gallon, best I can tell, though I've never used a whole tank doing max-hp work. So, I'd say at least a gallon per hour.
My guess is that 43 miles would take at least 4 hours - probably 5 including a break or two, possibly 5.5, but let's say 4 hours of tractor-equivalent. The 45 is probably a little more thirsty than my 35, but I'll leave it at 1 gallon per hour. So that 43 miles, in 4 hours, is about 10mpg.

At $3.50/gal, the trip would be ~$14 each way in fuel.
Also the trip would be nearly 1/10 each way of an engine oil change, count that in the time & expense cost of the trip.
It's quite possible that the extra tire wear wouldn't be the most expensive part of the trip, to be honest.

My bet would be "road work" is little more than a fast idle as far as power requirements. After all. No wind resistance! ;-)