NH1320 on paved road

[Leemac]

Just purchased 5 acre lot approx 12 miles from where I live and the lot needs mowed. I have Bush Hog and Finish Mower so no problem there. However, Is it a good idea to drive NH1320 Hydro tractor on 12 miles of paved road each way? Tires are R4's. Best price I found on someone else bush hogging same is approx $175.00 I'm thinking why pay if no problem driving that far. I don't think my 01 Ranger would handle a trailer heavy enough to transport tractor and mower.Appreciate your comments,Thanks /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif <font color="yellow"> </font>

 

[thcri]

Leemac,

That tractor weighs around 2400lbs. Your 2001 Ranger should be able to pull it. I believe the Ranger is that same frame as the Explorer and I pulled my boat with it that weighed around 3500 with trailer. You might want to check around for trailers and see what the sales people tell you. Your Ranger book should also tell you what the towing capacity is.

As far as driving on the highway, you will wear your tires down a lot faster but should not hurt the Hydro.


Murph

 

[BigDave]

I drive about a mile on pavement to the gas station, but I'm a relative newbie to tractoring, so I can't tell you what the long term wear & tear will be. The only thing that I have noticed is that the R4's don't like it much over about 12mph, so a max speed run is out of the question. Of course there is a side benefit, I do get varied and sometimes amusing reactions from folks when I pull up to the pump. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Phred]

Guys,

I don't know about the ranger and a trailer. The ford web page says the max trailer weight is 1500-4100 lbs depending on the engine and trans combination. To get the 4100 lbs you need the v6 and automatic.

Add in a trailer and a mower and its sounds close to me even with the V6. If its a 4cyl I doubt it would be legal.

Question is what kind of road. Busy traffic, hilly? Stoping may be the big problem.
Perhaps satrurday morning at dawn and go slow.

But if your over GVWR or GCWR and you have an accident the insurance company may give you a hard time.

You could buy a new set of tires with either the $175 times a few cuttings, or the cost of the trailer.

Fred

 

[Egon]

Drive it. There's a lot of rubber tired equipment on the road.

Egon

 

[tc35dforme]

Drive it ... Just bring a big coffee in a sippy cup. It'll take you near an hour if not a bit more to make the trip. Just be sure your attchments are properly connected and safe. Hate to try to pick up a mower in the middle of the road !!

 

[MikePA]

If you drive the tractor to the lot (which I think is fine to do), make sure that you will have enough fuel, either in the tank or in cans you take along, to;

1. Get there
2. Mow the field
3. Get back!

 

[catfishsteved]

$175 for 5 acres --- the going price around here is $10 per acre.

 

[markct]

i wouldnt worry much about the tire wear, the R4 style tires are designed as a combination tire,for dirt and hard surfaces like pavement, thats why you see them on indistrial loader backhoes and road graders,they drive that stuff all over the roads. if you had ag tires they would wear down faster, but still not hardly noticable for the amount that you will drive. people around here who bale hay drive all over on regular ag tires and they last many years even then,and those tractors are alot heavier than a compact

 

[Anonymous Poster]

You have the best tire type for this. Be _sure_ to take it out of 4wd - that would eat up the tires on pavement. A three point implement can really flop around on bumps. Be sure it is all mounted properly & such. And have your warning lights & slow moving sign on. Then you should be good to go. Traffic & visibility is an issue with crazy drivers these days, but that's up to you. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

--->Paul