How far would you drive a tractor?

[oosik]

I drove my Kubota M6040 into Cheney ONCE. Twenty miles - round trip. Went to the ADM( Archer Daniels Midland ) grain scales to weigh the tractor with its heaviest attachments. Sixteen of the miles are on county roads. Uneventful, but unnecessary now. I have all the weights I need. It was the only time I've ever driven it on asphalt. Actually - it's the only time the tractor has been off my property.

 

[RjCorazza]

If the area in question is used to seeing farm equipment on the road I would be inclined to travel that distance if it were important.
A few years ago I regularly drove my smaller L4060 on country roads for a 4-5 mile run to mow a plot.
In my state I am required to pull off the road when 5 or more cars stack up behind the SMV, but I pulled over for any of the occasional cars (when possible), and they clearly appreciated it. They are also somewhat used to seeing tractors on the road.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Good point about insurance.

 

[hube2]

I was going to mention the insurance as well. My insurance only covers me if I am on my property or I need to be on the road to get between mutliple properties that I own, the second part does not count for me since I do not multiple properties. The insurance is the only thing that would stop me. We've had a lot of incidents over the last several years with cars coming up too fast and rear ending tractors. The cars always loose. But there was one where the farmer was not were he was allowed to be and he was the one that paid the price.

 

[oosik]

My tractor & implements are covered by my homeowners policy - while on my property. So...... when I made that one trip to have the tractor weighed - I was extremely careful. I borrowed two of the neighbors flashing beacons and had all my warning lights going, full blast. It WAS a risk. That's why I've only done it once. Crazy "cagers" are not limited to any one place.

 

[bdog]

I guess another thing to consider is your area of operations. I live on the edge of city with 250k people but it is a big time farming area. I see tractors on the road everyday. People are more or less used to it. If tractors on the road are a rare thing in your area I might be more concerned. I bought a 15' batwing shredder from a guy a couple of weeks ago but had to go out of town for work and haven't been able to go get it yet. He is 6 miles from me on the other side of the interstate. Instead of of loading it up and having to chain it down, etc I plan on driving my tractor over there Monday to just pull it home. Over the years I have bought a half dozen implements from this guy including some things 16' wide and I have pulled them all home with my tractor.

 

[Egon]

Perhaps check into the local regulations for driving tractors on the road.

 

[tman1020]

Sounds a bit sketchy I would try to find a way to Trailer it.
But if you decide to drive it try to pick a time of day that would have the least amount of traffic. And make sure you have plenty of flashers.

 

[dodge man]

I’ve roaded both my Kubota BX and JD 2025r about 7 miles. I have both a yellow light bar and the factory flashers. I agree, no chase vehicle. Do you have other routes available? Does the 4 lane have wide shoulders. If not I wouldn’t do it. Farmer got killed 2 years on a 4 lane near here and he was in a pretty good sized JD.

 

[sea2summit]

About ten years ago I didn't have a trailer large enough and drove the tractor I bought home about 110 miles across state lines. I was on a fairly major highway and went through several towns.




View attachment 699375

Serious question how were the temps because that looks pretty dang hot leading me to believe the pavement would be hot, part 2 how did the tires look?

 

[marhar]

Depends, On the back country farm roads, 15 miles is no problem. On the 2 land HWY only a few or so; on four land divided, only crossing the road.

 

[Omega Woods]

One other consideration is insurance. If the tractor is covered under a standard homeowners policy, then coverage only applies to incidents on your land. My agent told me
to keep it on my land so driving anywhere else is off the table for me. Yours may be different but wanted to bring it up.

THIS!! I wouldn’t drive a mile without the right kind of coverage.

Otherwise, I wouldn’t hesitate to drive my tractor on the road with flashing lights and SMV signage.

 

[JWR]

Chase cars are horrible ideas.
Maybe not so bad on a 4 lane road, but on a 2 lane road they quadruple the amount of distance (and time) the passing cars need to be in the oncoming traffic lane.
They just create a dangerous situation.

I disagree. The chase vehicle is an EXCELLENT idea if you must do this at all. I've used that approach many times on shorter distances.

Several reasons: 1) The chase car can run with flashers/emergency lights on the whole way. Secondly it has a horn with which to warn you of things. Thirdly, the chase car/truck can vary the distance behind you as needed for a space and amount of buffer for you.

All that said -- I think you will have some trouble mowing 3ft high pines with a bush hog and that size tractor. Probably a practical approach would be to hire it done ONCE and then figure out what you do in the longer run. Surely to heavens someone local can haul your tractor, loan you a trailer, etc.

 

[JWR]

I’ve roaded both my Kubota BX and JD 2025r about 7 miles. I have both a yellow light bar and the factory flashers. I agree, no chase vehicle. Do you have other routes available? Does the 4 lane have wide shoulders. If not I wouldn’t do it. Farmer got killed 2 years on a 4 lane near here and he was in a pretty good sized JD.

The only person ever killed in a car-hits-tractor incident that I ever heard of in WV had no chase car and very ineffective flashers. And the person killed was on the back, not in the driver's seat. While I am bothering to comment, none of us should be pushed around by our damnable insurance. Just do what you gotta do.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Thanks ALL replies! I do have good flashers & triangle. Quite a lot of tractors in this area and sherriff's department put up large watch for tractors signs. I would pull over every chance. I'll see if I can find someone in area who will bush hog it first, friend with trailer second, driving it last resort.

 

[rekees4300]

I'll see if I can find someone in area who will bush hog it first, friend with trailer second, driving it last resort.

Prudent

 

[fidowanttobe]

4 Lane?? Not a chance in HE!! If you can't haul it, hire either the hauling or the mowing.

 

[oosik]

We should all be aware of how dangerous auto traffic on paved roads in our area is and act accordingly.

 

[hube2]

We should all be aware of how dangerous auto traffic on paved roads in our area is and act accordingly.

Yes. There is one guy around here that likes to drive his tractor down the road at night with no lights. People that live around here are aware of it but some night he's going to run into someone that is not aware of his foolish behavior. Every time I see it I'm tempted to call the cops but I know that by the time they get out here he will be where he's going with the tractor off. Fortunately for him I do not know where his farm is and I've never seen the tractor parked anywhere. He probably keeps it parked inside. I'm not usually critical of farmers and their tractors but this guy is different, eventually he's going to kill someone.

 

[lman]

We have more tractors on the road around here now because the Amish are now driving tractors with trailers like their trucks. I guess they're giving their horses a break.