How far would you drive a tractor?

[Jaylegger]

Alvin Straight drove 250 miles across from Laurens, Iowa to Mount Zion, Wisconsin to visit his sick brother on a John Deere lawn tractor.

If you have never seen the movie its worth watching.
It's called The Straight Story.

My Uncle lives in Texas, I live in Vermont ,
He has an old ford tractor that he absolutely loves. He has willed to me upon his passing.
I have always told him and my family as tribute to him , I will be driving that tractor back
from Texas to Vermont after his service, and I am a man of my word.

Two Canadians, Steve Fonyo at age 18 ran 4,924 miles across Canada and Terry Fox being the first (1980) to attempt it ran for a total of 143 days and 3,280 miles (ave. 23 miles/day) in his valiant and heroic effort to run across Canada in support of his cause. Both were raising awareness and funds for cancer and both did so after losing one their legs to cancer. Terry Fox succumbed to cancer at the age of 23 en route. Not to put a damper on this thread, just inserting a little perspective. Maybe driving a tractor a hundred miles aint' such a big deal.

 

[roamerr]

My dad drives his MF45 56 miles round trip 3 times a year to brush hog around my sister's house. All country roads and he considers it an easy trip...

 

[bdog]

Well I bought the tractor and made the trip. It was about 110 miles and it took me 5 and a half hours. Was a pleasant trip and zero problems along the way. I think my buddy that rode with me there and drove my truck back had a rougher time than I did.

We had to go through a couple small towns and passed some cops along the way. Everyone just waved. the farmers were out in force planting cotton so i think we kind of blended in.

 

[RoyJackson]

Well I bought the tractor and made the trip. It was about 110 miles and it took me 5 and a half hours. Was a pleasant trip and zero problems along the way. I think my buddy that rode with me there and drove my truck back had a rougher time than I did.

I'm glad the trip went well!!

I can sympathize with your buddy. Farthest I drove my little 670 was 10-11 miles (at 11 MPH). I had an escort due to the 670's small size. That 11 MPH was very pleasant on the tractor, but not so much fun for my escort drivers (one going, another when returning). 11 MPH in a pick up truck is like being stuck in rush hour...slooooooowwwwwwwwwwwww and boring.

So, did you stop at the MacDonald's shown in your very cool pic? And, if you did, did you go through the drive-thru? That would have been interesting (but probably not a first for that MacDonald's).

You owe your buddy a bottle of whisky or a case of beer...

 

[rekees4300]

did you go through the drive-thru?

I'd pay to see that! :laughing:

 

[Duffster]

did you go through the drive-thru?.

I have done that before.

 

[Duffster]

Well I bought the tractor and made the trip. It was about 110 miles and it took me 5 and a half hours. Was a pleasant trip and zero problems along the way. I think my buddy that rode with me there and drove my truck back had a rougher time than I did.

Did you have tires left when you got home?

 

[BigD23]

I followed (driving in car) my dad home in the mid 60's while he drove his new to him Ford 9N home...Bout 20 miles.

Don

 

[bdog]

Did you have tires left when you got home?

The tires on the tractor are radials. We looked at them good before and after the trip and noticed no difference.



I should have went to the drive through a mc'ds lol. I did stop at a couple convienence stores for a pit stop and I just drove right in and parked up front next to the other cars.

The tractor has a large tank about 25 gallons I think but I filled it up before we left and drove all the way back and then when I got home I spent about 4 hours shredding 7 acres and it still has a 1/4 tank left.

 

[gpflepsen]

When I was 17-18, my dad had myself and two buddied go 15 miles out on county (gravel) roads to tow back an old Farmall H. We threw a chain in the truck and headed out. We lashed the truck to the tractor and hit the road. They thought 20 mph was a reasonable tow speed, I thought different. They said they'd look back and I looked like I was having fun. That was the face of terror and a constant fight for control, with a bit of grit in the teeth that they were seeing. Brakes were not one of that old tractor's best performing qualities.

We still laugh about that day... some 30 years later.