Most economical way to move tractor to dealer

[future_vision]

Ok. This might be a little odd. I don't own a pickup or trailer yet and I need to get my tractor to the dealer. They used to pick it up and drop it off for $200 but they informed me they've been losing a bunch of money and have bumped up the fee to $450. Besides 'knowing someone' that I can bribe with a steak dinner what other options are there? I've found truck rentals for $90/day and a trailer rental for $75/day. That comes out cheaper but there is the time picking up both, at two different locations for both the tow there and back, and the drive time to and from the dealer.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Perhaps an independent hauler would be closer to the 200 bucks that you were paying?

 

[Sehnsucht]

I am not sure about your area, however i had this dilemma and determined that it was more economical for them to send a tech to my place. The shop i was dealing with send techs fully equipped to diagnose and do alot of repairs on site. It was 80$ for a tech to be on site..

I understand this does not work for every dealer/issue scenario but something to consider.

 

[lman]

Why do you need to get your tractor to the dealer? Did something break?

 

[oldnslo]

How far away is the dealership from the tractor location?

Like Iman asks, why does it need to go to the dealership?

Simple answer is that if it runs drive it.

 

[bdhsfz6]

This is one situation where it pays to do business with a local dealer. If the tractor is roadable, I just drive it on road there. I realize this may not be an option for you if you have a great distance to cover.

If the tractor isn't running, my second choice is to have a mechanic come to my location. As mentioned above, it's often cheaper than transporting the machine.

Sometimes, I can remove the damaged part on the tractor myself and take it to the dealer for repair. This is particularly true for hyd. cylinders or tire & rim repairs.

If you don't have a pickup but have a trailer hitch on your car, you could always rent a trailer and haul it yourself.

 

[fidowanttobe]

Local rollback here would be cheaper at $125 ish plus $2 a mile.

 

[ericb2400]

How big or small of a tractor.

 

[lman]

How far away is the dealership from the tractor location?

Like Iman asks, why does it need to go to the dealership?

Simple answer is that if it runs drive it.

I was wondering if it just needs the oil changed. If it just needs service, change the oil at home.

 

[oldnslo]

I was wondering if it just needs the oil changed. If it just needs service, change the oil at home.

100% agree on what needs to be done would help decide on cost of dealer vs doing at home if possible.