I'm stunned-but I need your advice

[Smelt]

My wife and I own a little farm in Maine. I guess the term "farm", is a little optimistic, because we don't have a barn, tractor or crops. We do have 16 acres with a couple of outbuildings, a 1 year old Craftsman lawn mower, and a bunch of animals. I am a husband, daddy and teacher and she is a stay-home mom of three little girls. Although money is tight we are very blessed and don't want for anything (well, except a tractor) I'm very happy with a wonderful marriage, kids, life. But, golly, doesn't a guy just need a stout tractor? Someday.....Until then, I'll keep going to all the Kubota dealers, bother them, read about tractors on line, etc.

We both have terrific families....

So, we go down to Pennsylvania to have the traditional 4th of July party (on Sat July 8th) at my brothers' farms. They live on adjoing horse farms near Allentown, PA. I am always discussing the merits of "my" tractor-a Kubota 3400 HST, FEL, bush hog, etc with my brothers. My two older brothers wanted to show me a new equipment shed they built. Now these two fellows are very hardworking and successful medical guys and anything they do is first class, so of course I want to see what they did. We go down the road and see the new shed. The outside was beautiful. We slid the doors opened and looked inside. They had packed it full of their equipment. Sitting in the front is a Ford 3000 tractor, slightly dinged and used. My oldest brother siad he had an announcement to make. Since I have been such a good guy, etc, they are giving me this tractor! Yahoo! I was stunned! Fantastic...a little spray paint and mechanical work and this baby is ready to rock n' roll. I was very appreciative and totally happy. We then looked at the other equipment and I noticed a bunch of new Kubotas (forgive the inexact model numbers)- a 3030, a M5600, and a something orange behind the M. I ribbed them about their new equiment-the 3030 was too dinky, the M series too big...they, (of course) should have bought 3400 HSTs. So they said they did-it was behind the M. So I went over and there was a brand spankin' new Kubota 3400 HST, FEL, grill guard, foldable ROPS with .2 hours. "Now this boys, is the perfect tractor" I said. They laughed and said they couldn't ever use it on their farms. One brotheer got on the 3030 and the other got in his M. They told me to get onto the 3400. They wanted to make a "comparison" of the tractors. I scrambled up and we all sat there on the respective rigs, 3 middle aged men yammering about the size of different tractors. That's when they told me the Ford wasn't mine-the 3400 was!!! Well yea I cried, I'm man enough to shed a tear! Holy Smokes.....nothin' like family!!!

OK. Here's where I need your help. How should I get it home? They are around Allentown, PA and I'm near Augusta, ME. I have a F250 that could haul it and I could use one of their construction trailers (no rush to get it back). I'd have two round trips of 1200 miles if I do it this way. Plus, I work over the summer and could only do it on (this!) weekend for the pickup and another weekend for the trailer return. 2400 miles/10 mpg=240 gals gas at $3 gal = $720 fuel + $50 tolls + $100 food/incidentials= $870 Grand Total. And don't forget the 2 weekends.

Ship it? Is it safe? Who, how, etc. What do you think?

Sorry about the long post. I guess I'm still feeling the "effects"!

I'm very interested in your ideas.

 

[Qubota]

That is a great story. What I would do in your situation is look into renting a one way U-haul car hauler. 16ft long would work fine. I would rent it in PA and haul the tractor back to Maine. This only means one trip and only half of that loaded. This would hopefully cut your spending almost in half. I dont know the exact weight of a 3400 but I can't imagine it being more than 4000 lbs. There are some larger cars that weigh that much. The other advantage is alot of U-haul car trailers are Aluminum which decreased the total weight (increase mileage) that much more.

Good luck in whatever you decide and congradulations on the new tractor.

 

[ronjhall]

What a great story.
I rented a U-Haul car hauler to tow my Astro Van home from AZ last May. It was great using it. But you may find that the rails are to narrow for the front end of the L3400. The bill for a one way rental for 9 days was $450. Your rental would be less but not by much. Other problems with U-Haul. They wanted to see the vehicle that I was towing with and the vehicles be towed. They claimed that my Van with AWD was to heavy to be put on trailer. Tow Vehicle was not available to be driven to U-Haul. Went to a small U-Haul dealer that took my word for their requirements. It was a great trip home even though I did not meet their specs.
I know it may be a lot to ask. But maybe one of your brothers needs to come up to your for place for visit and some good old Maine hospitality.

 

[john_bud]

Smelt,

First off, being an orphan, do you think your parents want to adopt me? How about the brothers? No? Oh well...had to ask.

To get that "perfect" tractor back home, can you borrow a trailer from one of your farmer neighbors? Around here, that's what would happen. If not, can you buy a used 16-18' trailer -- bring the baby home -- then sell the trailer? You may spend less doing that than renting one.

If you want to ship it, there is a hauling schedule board on ytmag.com. If someone is deadheading (hauling empty) and going your way, they pick up a load and pretty much just cover costs. Figure on $1 per mile more or less.

jb

 

[pekabu]

I've hauled a TC24 on a U-Haul car carrier. Unfortunatley they are an open center trailer and I had to plank up a deck to do it. The next time I rented a real equipment trailer. I could only find one place that rented an equipment trailer and it was a 45 minutes the wrong way, but it worked so much better.

If you can swing it, buying a trailer around $2k and hauling it, then selling it maybe your best bet. Better yet, you might like the trailer so much you keep it!

 

[Deerlope]

Have a shipping & trucking company haul it for you. They are insured if anything happens to it. Might even ckeck with the dealer that it came from and work out something with them. BTW that is a heart warming story.

 

[DVR]

try uship.com

you post your load info and people bid on the job. lots of haulers have figured out how to use the service to avoid empty trips. it is the ebay of shipping services.
i recently had a boat and trailer delivered 750 miles for $450. you are not obligated to accept any offers and the service is free to you. the shippers pay an 8% match fee.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I had a local freight hauler run a tractor from PA to VT about a month ago. Cost me about $800.

 

[Doc_Bob]

$870 Grand Total. And don't forget the 2 weekends

For 870 and 2 weekends for new tractor? Sounds like a deal.
Bob

 

[Doc_Bob]

http://www.best-ways.com/

Have them move it. You will need a loading dock at both ends.
They moved a TN70A for me and did a great job.
Bob

 

[GaryE]

Smelt,

Congratulations!!!

Do they want to give away the M series also?


I shipped a tractor from Texas to Maine with no problems. Two years ago I think it cost me about $1,200.00. If you would like some details I will dig them out. PM me if I can be of any help.

Gary

 

[firemanpat2910]

Great story.

option 1 Tell brothers you want delivery incuded in "price"
since that probably wont fly try .......
option 2 600 miles @ 15 mph = 40 hours test drive
since that wont fly either try.........
option 3 Rent or borrow a trailer at home pulling an empty is probably a lot cheaper than a one way rental. also you can gather up your chains and binders and find suitable places on trailer to hook them before you leave town

option 4 go with your plan and use the 2 trips to thank brothers twice instead of once.

 

[ToddW]

What a great story! You have some wonderful brothers who care very much about you. However you get the tractor moved, enjoy it. I'm sure you'll think about your family and smile every time you get on it

/Todd

 

[bugstruck]

Todd, My thoughts exactly. Moving that tractor is important, but beside that story it get's lost. It will just somehow happen. Make sure it's insured in transit. Easy to forget in a moment like this.

Congratulations go to the Brothers, the tractor... well.... it's a tractor. Very nice one though.

 

[Doc_Bob]

Todd, My thoughts exactly. Moving that tractor is important, but beside that story it get's lost. It will just somehow happen. Make sure it's insured in transit. Easy to forget in a moment like this.

Congratulations go to the Brothers, the tractor... well.... it's a tractor. Very nice one though.

The fellows how moved mine insured it in transit. part of the price.
Bob

 

[3RRL]

Great story ... great brothers... lucky you! Count your blessings! It's a no brainer on the transport...get a trailer and haul it yourself. Great time to bond with your new baby.

 

[FamilyFarm]

GREAT STORY!! Wow, I wish more family members cared that much for their siblings, parents, children!! The fact that it is an expensive gift (A KUBOTA!) is not even the point - just that they are really thinking of you and wanting to be a blessing to you and your family.
However you transport it, make sure you bless them in return and remember that Blessings have nothing to do with monetary value!
Terry

 

[Smelt]

First off...you guys (and girls?) are way cool. Thanks for all the advice. And yes, I agree with you that I have an incredible family! They are so kind and loving to all, family or not, and I do send them prayers, thoughts and love. Thank you for reflecting on my personal moment...maybe a tiny bit of the love and fun within my moment will touch you, I hope so. God's Blessings to you all.

OK-now to the "Manly Stuff"

I did a bunch of investigating from all of your suggestions. Good ideas!!!

Here's the skinny. U-Haul won't rent a trailer to haul a tractor because of the weight and tie down issues. Also, a car carrier + boards was not for my new tractor! I tried bidding the trip via Uship.com...good idea but I got a little spooked by some of the bidding and it was difficult to find out about insurance for each bidder. I contacted a couple trucking/shipping firms and had a good response. The problem with these resources was that they wanted a loading dock on either end. I don't have one and nothing within 8 miles. I liked the idea of buying a trailer here, driving to PA to pick up the tractor, then coming home and selling the trailer, but two things about this made me decide not to do this option. First, I would have probably kept the trailer (something the First National Bank of Jackie [my wife] wouldn't let me do), and second, after researching the transportation of tractors (on Tractorbynet) I had real concerns about the safety of hauling said tractor. I drove tractor trailers in Alaska for 10 years and learned how a tiny bit of ignorance can make for a nightmare. I've got a lot of folks depending on me now and I can't afford a major boo boo. The solution to my transportation problem was this: I contacted the place where my family bought the tractor and asked them about transporting the rig. They're familiar with the tractor and setup, got the equipment to move it, insured, and can move it safely. It will even be delivered tomorrow or Friday. $1450.00 door to door, 1200 miles round trip and the delivery guy will show me how the tractor is setup, works and maintenance. After careful consideration, I think this, for me, was the way to go. A little expensive, but a sure thing.

Thanks again for all the suggestions and I'll see you again on Tractorbynet!

Smelt

 

[firemanpat2910]

That sounds like a fair deal to me. As long as you think its fair and it gives you some hands on training,no worry about freight company, and knowing when it will arrive I feel thats worth the price( then again I have been stuck in my office since monday waiting on a trucking company to deliver a peice of equipment!!!!!)

 

[Noodlearm]

Best story I have read in a long time. Congrats. I think your choice of transportation is great. nothing like getting the original dealer involved on showing you how to properly operate and care for your new pride and joy.