Real novice question 'bout tractor ownership.

[Figato]

First, thanks to Soundguy, FarmwithJunk and others on this fine forum
for setting me straight on issues of horsepower and horsepower/job, etc.
THANKS!!!

Now for my embarassingly novice question:

I think I found the right tractor to do the jobs I need on my hunting land.
MF165 .
One problem: It's HEAVY! 7,000 pounds heavy (at least according to the specs I found).

On the plus side, seller said he would deliver it.

So - is it a pre-requisite to have enough truck and trailer to move the thing?
I don't.
I have an F150 and small utility trailer plus whatever trailer I can rent.

What do folks do when their HEAVY tractor breaks down in a field?
I can fix most things, but my hunting land is pretty remote, and there are certainly some jobs that are over my head.

If I find a good tractor repair service, is that good enough, or should I be looking for a smaller tractor (or bigger truck

How do you guys deal with this problem?

Thanks in advance.

 

[amigauser]

I think it depends on were the tractor is going to live and how often you need to move it. I have a similar situation with my Grand L40. To move it would require a 9000 lb equipment trailer and more truck than my Ford Expedition. I only use it on my own property and at neighbors that I can drive the tractor to. I also do all of my own service on it. If I was going to have the need to move it often I would purchase a truck/trailer combo that would handle the weight. I only move my BX tractor so I don't need to own a large truck/trailer.

If you are going to leave the tractor at the hunting camp then you probably do not need to worry about a truck/trailer. You may be able to find a friend or family member to move it when the need arises. I have had mine moved before by a local towing service on a rollback truck. That is much cheaper than buying a large truck and trailer and keeping both registered and insured.

 

[kebo]

Just my opinion, but it sounds to me like you probably should look for a tractor more in the 35-40hp range that weighs around 4k-5k pounds or so. That way, you could get a 7k (rated) trailer and should do just fine hauling it to wherever (plus one or two attachments). A 7k tractor will require a bigger trailer more in the 10k (rated) range, once you add attachments (in case you haul more than one). Without knowing what your Ford is rated to tow, that may force you to move up in truck size.

I would think a 30-40hp tractor would do all you bushhogging and food plots you wanted to do, maybe not as fast as the 165 you found, but that's the tradeoff. I've been helping with both of those tasks at my hunt club and 30hp gets it done, just at a slower pace but I'm fine with that. We usually have 2 or 3 tractors there at the same time anyway.

It's not a req't to have a way to haul it, but it sure makes it more convienent when you need to. Otherwise, you are at the mercy of getting a friends trailer when they DON'T need it, or pay someone else to haul it for you. I have a 16ft trailer and can load up and go anywhere I need to take it, anytime, and it works out just fine. That's my preference, but you may decide differently. Good luck!

 

[Bird]

A lot of farmers have tractors too big for their pickups and trailers to haul. There are tractor dealers and/or independent mechanics who go to the field to work on tractors. And I suppose most dealers either have the equipment themselves, or contract with others, to pick up and deliver tractors, although the owner usually has to pay for such service.

 

[TripleR]

We have them fixed on site or picked up.

 

[dusty3030]

If it's going to stay in one place don't sweat it. If you need it moved, hire it out.

 

[Phast12]

I have a MF175 I either have them come on site to repair or pick it up if I can't repair it myself or don't have the time. I have found very few things on the older tractors that I can't repair myself unlike the newer ones.

 

[Ford tractor]

No big deal. Get the bigger tractor. They don't break often and there are people that will come out to fix them if you can't.

 

[boggen]

majority of local tractor dealers / parts / repair places. most likely have some dedicated person. that goes out and picks up equipment and brings it back. or they have a dedicated person or 2 that go out to were ever to fix stuff.

for example. 200plus HP tractor breaks down in the field. there be no way to get that on a trailer in a timely fashion and get it back some place to get it fixed.

to be honest though. at least for me, and it seems with a good amount of others. majority of us all tend to find a repair shop we always go back to for repairs. and they take good care of things. there are some hickups here and there like everything. and sometimes you need to goto another place.

in your situation. i would recommend getting a ""paper phone book"" for giving hunting area. internet phone books have way to many ads and "given places service these areas" that pretty much mess things up for a quick and easy open of phone book to look up nearby locations. and when out in middle of no were. you will most likely not have internet. you might have cell phone service though.

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as others have said. if you rarely need to move tractor with exception of say needing a repair done. either leave it to the repair place, or hire it out.

if you were constantly moving tractor back and forth. then it would be a different story. and i might suggest hitting the "trailer" forum here on TBN. to post question on sizing truck and tractor.

buying a large enough truck, plus large enough trailer, plus insurance, plus plates, plus gas. can quickly add up. for rare uses. not to mention chains, binders, straps, along with time.

the only down side of not having your own abilty to having your own truck and trailer to haul the tractor. besides having the bigger truck and bigger trailer. is waiting for someone to pick it up and deliver it to were ever.

if you were in buisness they most likely truck and trailer would me a lot of sense, both time and dollar wise. but for run of the mill folks. that move the tractor rarely. i doubt it is worth it. or less they do not have a truck and trailer for other things to begin with. then it can.

 

[JerryG]

The guys here have given you some good information. If you are thinking about getting a smaller tractor, think about a MF135. It is just light enough for you to use the truck and trailer that you own now. You also be able to haul an implement with it. Another plus would be that the 165 and 135 are so much alike that you would be comfortable with the 135.
Good luck with what ever you decide to do.