Moving Tractor Long Distance

[Kyle241]

We have plans to move from Ontario to Maine in the coming months and I have a dilemma. I love my tractor (Kubota MX5100) and would like to bring it along to our new place even though we will not have as much acreage. Unfortunately my Nissan Frontier is not up to the task of hauling it. My questions are:

1) Has anyone moved a tractor via third party long distance? Approx. cost if you are willing to share?

2) Has anyone moved a tractor across the border, Canada to US?

3) Does it make sense to bring the tractor? Perhaps I should sell it and just buy another when I am move to Maine? Perhaps even a smaller model due to less acreage.


Tks.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Buddy of mine bought a kubota L4310 from upstate NY and had it shipped to him here in northern WV for about $600-$700. Easier and cheaper than makin the trip ourselves... and we even have trucks and trailer capible of the haul.

Crossing the border shouldn't present a problem with the proper suporting paperwork.

 

[RoyJackson]

There's a website: uShip - The Online Shipping Marketplace - Ship Freight, Furniture, Cars or Moves to review. Uship is a broker, not a shipping company...be advised of that.
I looked into getting my tractor shipped. I got a number of bids...some quite reasonable.
Do ensure the trucker is insured and has a track record of shipping equipment. I was leery of using an independent, but I did find one company (one or two drivers) that could haul my 4400 and RFM on a rollback.

It turned out the company that moved all of our possession could haul the tractor, RFM and chipper in their straight body van...and that's how we did it...

Added: uShip can probably complete any documentation you'd need to bring the tractor into the US.

 

[mikim]

what about renting a truck -- like a uhaul -- move your stuff and pull the tractor

 

[Sysop]

If Uhaul doesn't have anything heavy duty enough, check with Budget Truck Rentals

 

[Kyle241]

Thanks for the info guys. Unfortunately my experience with rental companies in the past is they did not like their vehicles crossing the border. Likely due to the fact that whether it be Budget or U-Haul, it's a different franchisee owner? Not really sure but I'll check again to be sure.

 

[hr3]

What part of Maine are you headed to.??? Are you going to be my new next door neighbor ????

 

[Kyle241]

What part of Maine are you headed to.??? Are you going to be my new next door neighbor ????

Kennebunk. A little down the coast from you.

 

[Sysop]

Thanks for the info guys. Unfortunately my experience with rental companies in the past is they did not like their vehicles crossing the border. Likely due to the fact that whether it be Budget or U-Haul, it's a different franchisee owner? Not really sure but I'll check again to be sure.

Guys that run the lots don't like signing them out to cross state lines because they like having equipment on their lot. Once it goes to another lot, they're stuck waiting on something else to show up to replace it and lose any walk in business. Call the national reservation line for the various companies to compare rates and make your reservation through them a couple weeks in advance, even if the local lot doesn't have what is needed, they'll send whatever it is to the local lot given enough time.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

There's a website: uShip - The Online Shipping Marketplace - Ship Freight, Furniture, Cars or Moves to review. Uship is a broker, not a shipping company...be advised of that.
I looked into getting my tractor shipped. I got a number of bids...some quite reasonable.
Do ensure the trucker is insured and has a track record of shipping equipment. I was leery of using an independent, but I did find one company (one or two drivers) that could haul my 4400 and RFM on a rollback.

It turned out the company that moved all of our possession could haul the tractor, RFM and chipper in their straight body van...and that's how we did it...

Added: uShip can probably complete any documentation you'd need to bring the tractor into the US.

I've watched a show on TV called "Shipping Wars". All the bozos featured on that show get their loads via U-Ship, and I wouldn't let any of those idiots within 100 yards of any possessions of mine.

 

[Rustyiron]

You might check craigslist Maine & NH, and even MA, used tractors go pretty quick. Something to consider either buying or selling (maybe it's worth the effort to move yours) and compare that to what you could sell it for there in Canada. But money is a lot easier to move than a tractor.

 

[kebo]

I've watched a show on TV called "Shipping Wars". All the bozos featured on that show get their loads via U-Ship, and I wouldn't let any of those idiots within 100 yards of any possessions of mine.

Have watched it too. Those people seem like they don't have a clue what they are doing!!!!

 

[RoMad]

My son used Uship to ship an atv from Utah to Florida. It was only around $200 and worked perfectly. On the other hand your tractor is probably worth more in Canada than in US. You could sell it, put the money in a bag and buy a smaller one when you get to Maine and have enough left over for some attachments maybe.

 

[dave1949]

Unless your new acreage is ridiculously small for an MX5100, I would keep it, since you know it, like it, and trust it, and focus on getting it moved. It can be relatively expensive plus some risk to sell and buy too, especially when you are under time constraints and have a million other things going on.

I used to live in Wells, the next town south of Kennebunk. It's a nice area. Can be a bit of a zoo in summer, but pretty quiet otherwise. Welcome to Maine.

 

[Piston]

Also try freightcenter.com, I had good luck with them shipping an implement for me. I believe it may be similar to us hip, I'm not sure. I wouldn't put too much weight into those tv shows.

 

[Stick895]

We have plans to move from Ontario to Maine in the coming months . . .Tks.

Moving to get some of that southern weather, eh?

 

[RoyJackson]

I've watched a show on TV called "Shipping Wars". All the bozos featured on that show get their loads via U-Ship, and I wouldn't let any of those idiots within 100 yards of any possessions of mine.

Don't mistake "Reality" TV for real life...

 

[dave1949]

Don't mistake "Reality" TV for real life...

There have been a couple threads regarding tractor shipments, I started one, and there are a couple others IIRC. Not many people reported any sort of problems in real life. The overwhelming response was "no issues."

Edit: Agreeing with Roy, meaning real life experiences here on TBN have been positive.

 

[oosik]

We rented the biggest tandem trailer U-Haul had when we came down from Alaska. As I remember we did pay something extra because our use would relocate their trailer. At that time we had no problems passing thru Canada.

 

[tmc_31]

Kyle,

Just as a reality check, that trip is about 985 miles each way. I haul tractors and other equipment around the US in conjunction with my work as a Sports Lighting Contractor. My longest trip to date was from my home in Texas to Vermont and back about 2000 miles each way. I use a D3500 Dodge one ton and a 22' utility gooseneck with ramps. I can load 10,000lb on the trailer and be legal. I roll the cost of transporting my equipment to the jobsite and back into my bids. Currently I use $1.20 per loaded mile. Because I am transporting my equipment there and back, this works for me. If I had to deadhead back as in your case (assuming you are hiring a truck trailer and driver) I would have to get $1.00 per mile for the unloaded miles. I would also have to include any toll fees and fees to cross the Border twice and a couple of nights lodging/meals.

Personally, I think your best bet is to rent a Uhaul, Ryder or Penske truck, put your tractor (it only weighs about 4000lbs) and anything else you can carry in it. Then rent a car dolly, hook it to the truck and tow the pick-up. You can load stuff in the bed and cab of the pick-up. Watch your weight!!!

I doubt you could sell your tractor for enough to buy another in Maine so unless you just want a new tractor, I would keep it and transport it.

Whether you move it yourself or you hire someone to move it for you, you can buy an insurance policy to cover damages or total loss to the tractor for a very reasonable price. Check out

Freight Insurance and Cargo Insurance-Save money and time with Ramon International

If I lived in the area, I would do it on the cheap for you just for the drive in a beautiful part of the country.

Let us know which route you take and if you don't mind sharing how about how much it cost you.

Best of luck

Tim