best trailer, tow vehicle

XLTman · Sep 9, 2004

Hey fella's, I'm new to the tractor owning business so bear with me.. I am getting a 30hp Kubota (family thing). It has a bucket and shredder,plus a tiller..I got to tow it about 250 mi to get it home, is an 18 ft trailer long enough?? It has a 5ft shredder..These implememts weight around 500 lbs or so don't they?? Also how much does this tractor weigh with the bucket and shredder? Once I get it home, I will be using an F150 w/ 2500 lb helper springs, heavy duty shocks, tranny cooler...Will this be enough truck for the job?? Thanks...I am happy to find this place, it will help me in the future

RonR · Sep 9, 2004

The best tow vehicle is one that is already paid for (assuming it's big enough).

If you can get there before the big trip, you could line the stuff up and measure to see how long a trailer you need. You could put one implement on the 3PH and line the others up. The FEL can rest on top of one implement, so you have some room to overlap.

As minimum, I'd guess tandem axle with good tires and brakes.

My two cents.

Bob_Skurka · Sep 9, 2004

As for the trailer, assuming you load the tiller up at the front of the trailer, then drive the tractor onto the trailer and lay the bucket on the tiller so it is covering much of the tiller (FEL arms up a bit, bucket mouth facing down), and the 5' rotary cutter on the back end, you will probably have an overall length in excess of 18'. The tractor & FEL will be over 13.5' long (assuming a B7800, B2910 or similar frame size) but would be about another 15" longer (if you are using something like a L3130), the 5' rotary cutter (no idea on brand) could be 7' to 8' long so you will be hanging off the back of the trailer. If the trailer has lift up ramps you won't be able to lift them into the lock position. If the trailer has removeable or slide in ramps you will have the cutter hanging over the end and may (depending on the length of the overhang) be required to hang a red warning flag off the implement. I think you would be better off with a 20' to 24' trailer.

Would it be possible for someone who is at the tractor's location to put a tape measure on the tractor and measure from the front of the bucket to the back of the rotary cutter? If you put the tiller under the front bucket (it will probably not completely fit under there) the overall length will probably be about a foot longer than the measured length.

Bird · Sep 9, 2004

As for the trailer, Bob Skurka has answered that very well, in my opinion.

As for the truck: ( Will this be enough truck for the job?? )

I don't think you gave us enough information. Which engine and transmission? Does it have a brake controller and does the trailer have brakes? How far and how often are you going to tow it? What kind of terrain; flat and level or mountains? How fast are you going to be driving? What's the ambient temperature when you're towing? All those things have some bearing on the matter, but my initial impression is, yes, it's probably enough truck.

XLTman · Sep 9, 2004

Thanks for the quick reply fella's..The f150 has a 4.6 w/automatic tranny..There are very few hills around here. When I do tow it it will be no farther than 20 mi or so..To get the tractor home I will be using a friends Chevrolet 3/4 ton and his 18 ft trailer..He has a 1974 Ford 2000 with a 5 ft bushog on it..Is this about the same size tractor as the Kubota I will be getting..If so then I can figure out how it will ride because I have seen how my buddy's rides countless times and I know it will work of course one implement may end up in the back of the Chevy for the ride home.. Of course I maybe comparing apples to oranges when using the Ford as a comparison..Yes the trailer has brakes.. I can get it measured if I need too..Thanks guys for the help!!

Bird · Sep 9, 2004

I don't think you'll have any problem at all.

XLTman · Sep 9, 2004

Thanks Bird, I really appreciate it.. How is the weather over there in Coppell?? I am in the Abilene area and it was about 50 degress this morning!! Really nice!!

Ronzonie · Sep 9, 2004

*I have a kabota B7800 with an fel and a 17' tailer. The tractor with backhoe just about fit. most other attachments if connected to the tractor won't quite fit. to have enough room in the future I would suggest you go with a 20' trailer with electric brakes approx. 4 ton. The truck should pull it fine. Happy Trailering!

Bird · Sep 9, 2004

Yep, I could hardly believe the cool weather; got down a couple of degrees under 60 this morning. I had to go out before daylight this morning and I even checked to make sure the heater still works in the car. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Jim_Becker · Sep 9, 2004

( Yep, I could hardly believe the cool weather; got down a couple of degrees under 60 this morning. I had to go out before daylight this morning and I even checked to make sure the heater still works in the car. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif )

It sure wasn't like that the week of the 25th when I spent four days in Coppell "entertaining" customers at our office on Freeport Parkway! It was a bit warmer... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Actually, one day was in Houston, but it was just as "pleasant"...