Road it or Trailer it?

SacandagaBrad · Jun 4, 2005

I need to get my TC 24 up to my father's place to spread a rubble driveway and do some minor landscaping. Its about 7 to 8 miles up the road. I can borrow a trailer, but would have to travel 25 miles one way in the opposite direction, get the trailer, load up, get the job done, and return the trailer. That's 2 hours of running just to borrow and return the trailer, not to mention the time to load up and drive up and back to the job site. Or, I could be there on the tractor in about 45 minutes. Any problems running a small tractor that distance on the road? This is farm country, I have all the signage and lights, etc., not worried about the legal stuff, just wondering about wear and tear.

Brad

grandad · Jun 4, 2005

It's pretty common out in farm country to move machinery on the road for a few miles. As long as you don't have to travel the berm of a busy 4 lane or something, you should probably be OK.

Your TC24 will seem pretty small out there on the highway, though. If you had someone follow you in a chase car, it might give you a bit more margin of safety.

That small amount of operation on the pavement shouldn't mean anything for wear on your tires, and the TC itself won't know the difference. Be sure to put it in 2wd though!

tarious · Jun 4, 2005

I'd just drive it. Driving your tractor that short distance shouldn't cause any excessive wear.

My dad drives approximately 5 miles between two places to mow each week. Oddly enough, he has a trailer, but he enjoys his tractor time anyway he can get it.

He currently has an older JD 318. He tries to keep on the shoulder to keep tire wear to a minium.

JoshJ · Jun 4, 2005

If it is farm country, I'd bet that there are plenty of others driving their tractors down the road. Thats what I would do, just be careful, and I'd recommend having someone follow you with their 4-ways on.

RoyJackson · Jun 5, 2005

I drove my previous tractor, a Deere 670, about 10 miles on the road.

These were all back roads or secondaries. Because of the secondary roads and some blind areas, I had a following vehicle.

I'd have no problem doing this again (but my escort drivers weren't so enthusiastic).

If you feel safe doing this, I'd drive it...just make you're in 2WD when you're on pavement.

As far as tire wear...no problem...

Soundguy · Jun 5, 2005

I road my Nh 7610s about 4 miles 1 way and back home about once a month, to cut a pasture... A small leg of it is even on a highway.. I try to go at it in the early morning and return just before lunch rush.. havn't had problems yet.

County runs their mowing tractors up and down the road just like I do.. people are pretty used to them fo rthe most part..

Soundguy

JoshJ · Jun 5, 2005

One other thing, if your tractor has independent brakes, lock the pedals together before you venture out

SacandagaBrad · Jun 5, 2005

Thanks for the input, that's what I was hoping to hear. It is also vacation land around here. I have two routes I could take, main 2 lane highway with a large shoulder to travel or the back roads with all the camps but less traffic and more blind turns. I'll have an escort either way.

Thanks again.

Bird · Jun 5, 2005

I had a brother who lived 7.75 miles from me, and I had a trailer myself. Sometimes I trailered the tractor and sometimes I just drove it over there; just depended on what I felt like doing that day; half mile on a county road and the rest on state farm-to-market roads.

MFL · Jun 5, 2005

Drove my B7800 on the road for the first time several weekends ago. About 16 miles round trip, all on gravel or two lane blacktop. I left early on Sat. morning, left the tractor where I was working and drove it home early Sun. morning.

The tractor performed without a problem. Follow all the advice mentioned above. 2wd, lock brake pedals, etc. and you shouldn't have any problems.

Have to say that it was great fun. Quiet, a little cold snap in the air, almost no cars, and enjoying the scenery at 11 mph instead of 50 mph.