How far would you drive a tractor?

[rtimgray]

I can tell you from my observations that the Amish in our area put a couple hundred miles on their tractors every week. After a few years, you can see the tire wear, but that doesn't matter too much to them, because they use their tractors for driving vehicles, but I've never seen them in the fields.

This is a group that has a fairly large construction enterprise, including pulling around a Case 850 dozer with a trailer behind a big IH tractor.

I would drive it and save the money.

 

[beenthere]

I know a guy who drove a tractor from S Dakota to Minnesota! Talk about a trek. Too cheap to have it trucked,but he did it:confused2ave

Might have been just a mile or even less.... just across the states' border.

 

[jimgerken]

If it was mostly gravel roads, I'd drive it home. If it was all tar roads, I'd have it hauled. If you hire it hauled, make sure they are insured for commercial work. Offer to buy the fuel and pay cash, maybe ride along, bring lunch, haul it on a Saturday, wash the guy's truck, whatever to get a "good-guy deal".

 

[crusty 1]

Might have been just a mile or even less.... just across the states' border.

Beenthere,I believe he said 240 miles took a few daysDave

 

[Duffster]

Beenthere,I believe he said 240 miles took a few daysDave

A few days?

Even at 15 mph it is only 16 hrs.

 

[Baby Grand]

Check that you're in 2wd before you leave.
Make sure your insurance is paid up.
Check that all your lights & signals work.
Make sure your SMV flag is hoisted.
Have a backup plan in case you break down.

 

[Kubota Tee]

The first tractor I purchased was a Ford 5000 with a FEL and bushhog. It was about 35 miles away and I didn't have any way of hauling it home so I had the wife drop me off and I made the drive. All backroads - mostly gravel. What a great way to spend an afternoon!! All the people I passed were very friendly - most waved as I passed by their farms, homes, etc.

The only problem I had was a flat tire on one of the fronts. I think it was under-sized for the FEL that was on the machine and probably would have gone bad anyway. I stopped at a local farm and called my wife who came out with my tools. Lucky I had that FEL as I used it to raise the front off the ground and change the tire.

I say pick a nice day, pick a route with mostly gravel roads and enjoy the view!!

 

[crusty 1]

A few days?

Even at 15 mph it is only 16 hrs.

Duffster,The man had shipped everything they could get loaded on the truck impl.,etc and didn,t feel he could afford for a second load to be sent for his remaining tractor so he drove it himself.Stopping for brakes etc and kinda took his time i guess.What surprised everyone was that he didn,t ruin the bar lug tires.Dave

 

[Soundguy]

Don't forget about insurance for the rig if you do drive it on the road.

not all places require off road equipment to have insurance. florida don't.

the guy could road it.. but I'd expect it to take 6 hours or so depending on the road gear... not to mention a good tank of fuel and some life off the tires.

I think I'd see if the seller would xport it for a small fee. my dealer will pickup and deliver ( round trip ) 50m for 100$

soundguy

 

[sweettractors]

I am looking at buying a tractor that is about 100 miles away. It is pretty much rural farm roads between here and there. The tractor is a newer cab model 100 hp with lights, etc. I don't have a trailer big enough for it and was thinking of driving it instead of shelling out $500 for someone to truck it. Any one ever roaded a tractor this far?

I drove a 8000 Ford CHA 35 miles on Country roads a few years ago and it was quite pleasant. Ken Sweet

 

[flyingcow]

Put a big American Flag on the back and go for it.:thumbsup:

 

[rjkobbeman]

I would have it hauled.

I'm not saying driving it is a bad thing... I just would rather pay to haul it. But that is just me.

Seems like to many things to could go wrong.

 

[Cline bailing]

It's not the best idea but you have to do what you have to do go for it and just smile and wave at all the cars honking as they go by.

 

[Soundguy]

Some of these responses are just plain goofy. :confused2:

It is about a 5 hrs drive, no big deal you won't miss the rubber off the tires.

I have driven several round trips to a dealer or mechanic that was 50 miles away, no biggy I would do it again in a heartbeat.

remember.. lotsa members here are using estate scut/cut sized tractors.. and havn't done the 'mowed for 7hr' job like some of us do.

I road my ~95hp NH 7610s and 15' batwing mower about 8m to my farm property.. and that happens frequently when temps are above 70d here in florida. for those of us that road larger tractors it's no big deal.. get about 18mph without getting to scarry.. etc.. and enjoy the ride... the average scut user that moves mulch on his 2ac lot.. well.. that 6hr ride is a different thing to think about.

soundguy

 

[Jay4200]

I am looking at buying a tractor that is about 100 miles away. It is pretty much rural farm roads between here and there. The tractor is a newer cab model 100 hp with lights, etc. I don't have a trailer big enough for it and was thinking of driving it instead of shelling out $500 for someone to truck it. Any one ever roaded a tractor this far?

100 miles? Wow - you'd need a crapload of beer to make that trip.

JayC

 

[daman1]

Open up your yellow pages and look for excavating company's/contractors and start calling around,lot of then will haul equipment if asked because obviously they have rigs to move there stuff around,and just go on the cheapest one.

100 miles is a haul but doable...

 

[Soundguy]

i'd go with a smaller co.. that had a smaller tag trailer.. something 24' or so.. otherwise having a semi and long flatbed will eat your lunch.. liekly to be a minimum of 5$ per loaded mile for a large truck.. on a 'short' haul like that..

soundguy

 

[sweettractors]

I know a guy in his seventies that cannot never got his drivers licence because he is legally blind. He goes to the grocery or anyplace he needs to go on his 4600 Ford tractor. He lives in our Amish community, so everyone is on watch for slow moving vehicles anyway. Ken Sweet

 

[red4now]

Neighbor of ours bought a larger loader tractor out of province saving himself a good buck. Drove quiet roads and really enjoyed himself. Even with the two nights of hotel, meals and transportation there, it was way less than having it trucked. Had a cab of course so that helped. He is semi-retired so time was not a problem for him as well. Talk about getting to know your new tractor.

 

[Duffster]

remember.. lotsa members here are using estate scut/cut sized tractors.. and havn't done the 'mowed for 7hr' job like some of us do.

I road my ~95hp NH 7610s and 15' batwing mower about 8m to my farm property.. and that happens frequently when temps are above 70d here in florida. for those of us that road larger tractors it's no big deal.. get about 18mph without getting to scarry.. etc.. and enjoy the ride... the average scut user that moves mulch on his 2ac lot.. well.. that 6hr ride is a different thing to think about.

soundguy

Good point, we are just not used to thinking about "miles" on tractors either.

One can really rack up the miles without realizing it. Last fall I helped the neighbor fill bunker silo with corn silage, 3 miles one way to the field, ~2 loads per hour for 15+ hours per day for 4 days straight = 700+ miles.