Help with a temporary problem...

[ecologyman]

The young missus and I have a property in the Pennsylvania Endless Mountains and we're close to starting a small house there. The builder, septic guys, utilities people, etc., are out there sometimes walking the property. We went up there over the weekend and the grass has grown to 3-4' in some areas and I'd like to cut it to make access easier for everyone. We just settled on the land last winter and the previous owner kept it cut up until then.

My problem is that my tractor - 3400, FEL, 5' brush hog - is here (NJ) where it's safe in the garage and the property is 180 miles from me, so I need to get it there. We'll probably only need to do this twice - once now and again in the Fall, so we don't need to buy a trailer/bigger truck at this time. Our truck is a Dakota V6, 2WD, single cab, no towing package, and between here and there is a long, steady climb up the PA Turnpike, and subsequently a short-but-brutally-steep 2 mile hill. I don't know if the Dakota can handle that and don't want to burn it up finding out. At this time my best option seems to be rental.

So I've called around and found a 16' trailer, but no truck to pull it. Hertz has a mason dump truck with 6 ton trailer - I don't know what that is but it sounds a bit big for my purposes. Does anyone out there have any suggestions? Right now I'm thinking Penske, U-Haul, etc. Are there other trees I should be barking up? Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[familyman]

I have rented an 18' trailer from Rental World and pulled mine with my 2003 Toyota Tundra, 3.4 V6, auto. I have to say that by taking my time I didn't have any real problems, but I would have been much happier with my old Super Duty diesel!
I had a 2000 Dakota with a 287 that I know would not have had any difficulty either, and pulled some pretty heavy stuff with her too!
I now have a '90 Bronco with a 351 and E4OD auto as a spare with which to tow and plow. I can't recommend that you use your Dakota as I don't know enough about it (short bed? manual? mileage? tranny cooler?).
Overdoing it is better than going too light, so I'd say renting a mason dump would be a good bet. It may serve you at the property in some way while you have it out there too (hauling materials, brush, dirt, firewood?).
Where are the Endless Mountains (sound like something from JRR Tolkien!)? Perhaps I could be of help? If you would like, pm me with details and we'll chat. Good luck!

Charley

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Why not find someone local to cut it the 1-2 times you need it cut? It has to be cheaper then renting a trailer, fuel, and time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Gatorboy]

Why don't you find someone to cut it for you twice a year until you move? This would be the path of least resistence.

 

[LarryRB]

my dad did the exact same thing as you, Jersey to the endlass mtns. Right off the bat he had neighbors who offered to cut the fields. when tehy finally moved into the new house, he continued allowing the next door farmer to cut the fields, bale the hay once in a while and even allow the cows on over and refencing the property so the cows could have 70% of the property. On the other side, the old farmer always plowed the drive in snow, made sure he had plenty of fire wood, took care of the fields and was just "plain neighbors"..

 

[TonyV]

I agree with the other posters. Better to find someone locally to cut the field the couple of times that you're going to need it done. Seems to me that'd be about a push in comparison to renting everything that you'd need. Of course, the down side is that you don't get to get up on the tractor yourself. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

...Tony

 

[at_obuk]

As an Endless Mt. resident I can attest to the fact that there are plenty of folks that will brush-hog for you. Just go to the Lenox Diner or Binghams Restaurant and ask around. Or your closest neighbor show know someone. I know a couple of people but they are pretty busy right now. You can try calling All Seasons Realty and ask Roland Sharp if he knows anyone, he knows just about everyone in the county.
It's nice and peaceful up here, you'll like it.
Good Luck

Eric P.

 

[botalvr]

I know what he's after - more seat time.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JoeR]

I agree, maybe he needs some time on the tractor! I think we all do??? Rent something to haul the tractor and enjoy!

Look how many people pull their boats for miles to go fishing... We haul tractors! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Joe

 

[ecologyman]

Thanks for all the replies my friends. Some of you can see right through me - I need some time in the saddle. I know of some folks up there who can git-r-done for me but I'm just wanting to knock that grass down myself. Long, hot days lead to tall, cold beers.