B26 - Pull Boat/Trailer?

[RichT]

I have a Regal 30' Cabin Cruiser that I need to move to the rear of my property. Total weight, incl 3 axle trailer, comes in at around 11000lbs, with about 1000lbs tongue weight.

There are some tight spaces so I was hoping to use my B26 with 3pt receiver hitch instead of my truck. Manual says 1600lbs limit on 3ph at 24", so tongue weight shouldn't be an issue. The moving would be on concrete, pulling up the driveway which involves a 10deg incline for about 40ft, then level to storage area for about 150ft.

My sense is that the B26 can pull this load on level concrete, uncertain about the incline, and definitely don't want to pull back down the incline - insufficient braking. What think ye?

 

[newbury]

<snip>
There are some tight spaces so I was hoping to use my B26 with 3pt receiver hitch instead of my truck. Manual says 1600lbs limit on 3ph at 24", so tongue weight shouldn't be an issue. The moving would be on concrete, pulling up the driveway which involves a 10deg incline for about 40ft, then level to storage area for about 150ft.<snip>

1. Could you pull it up the incline w/ the truck?
2. Is the 150ft on concrete?

 

[KeithInSpace]

Like so many things I've found with my tractor, the ratings are the ratings and it is amazing what the machine will ACTUALLY do.

I'm quite certain my tractor is not rated for it, but my little BX pulls around my 21 foot hybrid travel trailer around the yard with relative ease. To make sure the front end stays on the ground, I get a FEL scoop full of clay to offset the weight of the trailer, but it works really well. I figure the trailer is ~5,000# wet and would assume a tongue weight in the 500# to 700# range...right near the rated lifting capacity.

I pull the trailer across the yard (hard clay and grass) and into a area of 'forest bed' where I've spread some mulch. The ground is fairly soft and I pull across it without any problem.

I think you're on the right track. I definitely wouldn't trust it on a launch ramp, but it should be OK for tugging your rig around the yard. That's a pretty capable machine you have.

Personally, I'm careful to keep the tongue jack fairly close to the ground just in case I have an "oh crap" moment. I keep it in 4WD low range and move deliberately. But without my tractor, I could not store my trailer where I store it, so it is very nice to have that maneuverable machine handy. It is a bit of a bummer to have to "convert" my tractor to trailer duty whenever I go camping, but we only go every 4 to 6 weeks, so it isn't the end of the world.

With sufficient care, I don't see an issue. Twice the weight with 3 times the tractor...sounds like you're in the hunt...

 

[RichT]

1. Could you pull it up the incline w/ the truck?

Yes, but only about half way. My driveway makes a slight 20deg dogleg at the front corner of the house, then runs along the side of the house, with a block wall on the other side of the driveway (triangular lot). Tight fit at the corner, especially with a 3/4 ton truck up front.

2. Is the 150ft on concrete?

Yes

Another alternative is a somewhat flat, plowed dirt lot next to me that runs to the back of my property where I can come in through a double chain link gate. But I'm leery of this much weight in these conditions. I could level a smooth road with the B26 but the lot owner might not appreciate that.

Keith - exactly my plan also, some dirt in the front loader for ballast and carefully inch along in low 4wd. I think the incline is where the B26 will be challenged. The 26 a stud for its size, but 11K is a lot of weight. If I can get it part way up the incline with the truck, chock the trailer, unhitch, then hitch up the B26 to maneuver around the corner of the house, I think it might work. Good idea on the tongue jack.

 

[cappys tractor]

knot knowing whether your 3ph is free raising, if it is, i would NOT do this.

my tractor has NO resistance to lifting UP the 3ph. I am not that well versed in other models, but if you can freely lift your 3ph up, then I would imagine the boat would be possible to lift dramatically up, and damage the outdrive, shafts wheels rudders etc etc etc. that woudl be a best case scenario, if it didn't decide to launch itself right off the trailer, and then you would have a big job to reload it on an incline, and up hill (dry to boot).

again, if your 3 point hitch is not the free floating variety, then you should be able to do it, but check the 3ph first.

 

[pdowling1]

Load the bucket for ballast & go for it. Take your time in 4wd law range & that tractor will amaze you.
If I'm wrong, I'm sorry.....

 

[tommu56]

You can stop arms on the three point from coming up by making a link from the tractor side of top link mount to the center of the "draw bar" to stop the up lift or make some thing that slides out and you can pin in a fixed position.

tom

 

[wcampbell47]

Recently I moved my 36 foot motor home to a storage lot with my B7610. The MH comes in at 16,000 lbs. Silly me I didn't have the FEL on which would have helped tremendously. If you have an FEL and 4WD

 

[wcampbell47]

Recently I moved my 36 foot motor home to a storage lot with my B7610. The MH comes in at 16,000 lbs. Silly me I didn't have the FEL on which would have helped tremendously. If you have an FEL and 4WD these machines will do amazing things.

 

[KeithInSpace]

knot knowing whether your 3ph is free raising, if it is, i would NOT do this.

I would agree if the trailer were short and there was a chance of the COG rolling behind the rear tires, unloading the tongue.

I couldn't fathom the situation that would unload the tongue of this type of trailer. If it is a 30' long boat, the tongue probably projects another 4 to 6 feet beyond the bow.

Going slow enough, I'm certain you'd be able to 'feel' the tongue unload.

 

[radioman]

You will be fine pulling it with a B. If I can move my 22ft camper with the BX, with ease on a grassy hill and still can stop just fine in turtle speed, I am sure you can move your trailer with B around the lot. Just go slow and you will be fine.

 

[RichT]

You can stop arms on the three point from coming up by making a link from the tractor side of top link mount to the center of the "draw bar" to stop the up lift or make some thing that slides out and you can pin in a fixed position.

tom

Tom, not sure I follow, plz elaborate. To eliminate this possibility, I was thinking I'd bring the 3ph all the way up, then use a drop hitch. Thx to all for inputs.

 

[tommu56]

Rich here is a crude sketch of the geometry



tom

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

As an added thought...if you are going to be doing this often you might look into a front reciever mount for your truck....

I had one long before the tractor approx ($175) and makes tight trailer manuvering a snap... that along with the tractor , there is no place I can't get a trailer into, or out of...

Good luck.. I second all the advice, 4 wd low and ballast bucket, you'll be fine...

 

[tractorworks]

I would not load the bucket. It effectively unloads the rear tires and cuts down on braking ability.

 

[KeithInSpace]

...unloads the rear tires and cuts down on braking ability.

That's why 4WD rocks.

This would be a very small concern if it were a 2WD tractor, but even then, 1,000# of tongue weight hanging 24" to 36" behind the rear tires will load them a'pleanty.

On my tractor without the FEL installed, the front end "skips" on the ground with my travel trailer in tow. The FEL helps, but 400# of clay in the bucket makes the whole thing exceedingly stable.

 

[mswlogo]

I would not load the bucket. It effectively unloads the rear tires and cuts down on braking ability.

I definitely would. With a 400lb tongue weight on my boat when I pulled hard the front tires started to lift. Granted I had the hitch on my box blade which gave it a bit more of a lever. I filled the bucket with sand to solve that. You don't want to lose steering either.

You need to balance the weight on the tractor. Too much in front or back is bad like it is any time with the tractor.

I can't imagine towing 11,000 lbs with one of these small tractors.

The biggest worry would be being able to stop going down the slightest incline. Or lose steering.

These trailers usually have electric brakes too and not so easy to hook up on the tractor. And if they have surge brakes you often need to disable them in order to backup.

Negative tongue weight is the least of your problems because that shouldn't be happening in normal towing and there is no reason for it to start while using the tractor.

 

[KeithInSpace]

...one of these small tractors.

Maybe it's a matter of perspective when looking off the seat of my BX, but the B26 isn't a particularly small tractor.

 

[RichT]

Rich here is a crude sketch of the geometry

Tom, thx for diagram - I get it now. Had a conversation with local dealer service mgr today and he suggested using 3ph speed control knob in locked position to eliminate upward float. Gonna try that today. If that doesn't work I'll use the drawbar "limit" idea or raised 3pt with drop hitch. He also agreed the 26 should be able to pull this load on level concrete w/o an issue. He agreed with loader ballast.

The biggest worry would be being able to stop going down the slightest incline. Or lose steering.

Agree, no plan to tow down an incline with the 26. I'll use my 2500HD with diesel/Allison for that job.

Heres a pic of the boat I'm moving around.

 

[KeithInSpace]

Heres a pic of the boat I'm moving around.

Whew, that's a heavy looking boat. No wonder you're asking the question.

It'd pucker me up pretty good the first time, but I think you'll be OK. Slow and low. And with the triple axles, not through too sharp of a turn, me thinks.