towing my JD 4210

tractor_man · Nov 30, 2003

Thanks for all the good info. regarding towing my JD 4210. I have been out of town and not able to read all the responses untill recently. I never considered a diesel, but am now somewhat interested. I will only be towing the tractor up the Sierra Nevadas one time a year. Other trailering will be to friends places and odd jobs (I do not expect to trailer more than once a month or so). I have been checking the papers for new / used 3/4 4x4's also. When not using the truck for towing I'll drive it around town some.

Thanks again,

Dave

JDgreen227 · Dec 6, 2003

Tractor Man,

I too have a JD 4210 and an aluminum tandem axle landscape trailer that I can tow with a 3/4 ton Yukon XL.
May I give you a little advice? Please check with your homeowner's insurance agent and get their input about your plans to tow your JD around. I am with triple-A and the only time my homeowner's policy covers my tractor is when it is on my property.

Policy quote: We will cover land motor vehicles not licensed for road use used to service the insured's premises.

My agent told me that if I use my trailer to transport the JD off my property he wants to know about it before I load it up.
The trailer itself is covered under my auto policy but he told me the tractor is basically NOT covered once it leaves my driveway.

Just my humble opinion.

Gary_in_Indiana · Dec 10, 2003

"The trailer itself is covered under my auto policy but he told me the tractor is basically NOT covered once it leaves my driveway." 

Interesting... I'd like to hear what everyone finds out about their respective policies.

I'm fortunate in that my commercial policy covers anything I own, drive, pull, haul or tow whether it's mine or yours. I'm not sure you'd want my premium, though. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

JDgreen227 · Dec 10, 2003

Gary,
There is some very detailed information in the Kubota owners discussions about insurance. Had I realized the subject had been discussed to such extent I would have kept quiet. Nope, I don't need your commercial premium, I was a self employed contract employee for a while and learned how expensive such policies can be.

jdcook00 · Dec 10, 2003

I don't know about insurance issues so I asked my agent when I bought the tractor. First of all, JD required insurance on it if it was financed through them so I called my agent. He stated that with my policy the tractor is covered regardless of location. (on a trailer, or at home) It is a seperate policy on the tractor itself like car insurance. Cost is $73.00 a year. (cheap compared to a new tractor!) Maybe you could ask your agent if he could do something like that for you if your concerned about loading it up and going down the road.

About the truck to pull it, I've been a Ford truck tech. for the last 15yrs. and in my opinion a 3/4 ton pickup with a diesel will pull it with no problem. I'd be happy to give any truck advice you need.

Wheeldog · Dec 10, 2003

( About the truck to pull it, I've been a Ford truck tech. for the last 15yrs. and in my opinion a 3/4 ton pickup with a diesel will pull it with no problem. I'd be happy to give any truck advice you need. )

Sorry to hijack this a bit, but given your experience I'd like to hear what you think of each of the engines that have been available in the F-250/F-350 in the last ten years or so (7.5L, 5.8L, 5.4L, 7.3L diesel, etc.). How are they to work on, how well do they hold up? - that sort of thing.

PondKeeper · Dec 11, 2003

I scheduled my tractor on my HO policy and that covers it off my property, even under tow, provided it is not for hire $$$. Scheduling cost me about $75.00 ( I think the value was set at about $15,000 as I recall, could only go to 10% of my contents value)) to my policy. Kubota accepted this coverage for my financing.

Mike

jdcook00 · Dec 13, 2003

Wheeldog, all the engines that you mentioned hold up well if properly maintained of course. Engine selection depends on what your main purpose for the truck will be. A gas burner is good all around for driving to work etc. but towing is limited. You could pull a JD 4210, but you'll have to take it easy. A diesel truck has more power but the cost of maintinace is higher. It really doesn't do a diesel any good to crank it up, drive 10-20 miles to work and cut it off. It's made to work.

As far as working on them, some jobs are easier than others!!

I'd be happy to answer any specific question if I know the answer. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BRUSHTAMERS · Dec 13, 2003

I use my tractor commercially, and have it insured under an inland marine policy. This is separate from my commercial vehicle policies, and covers loss of tractor and implements that are on the trailer should something happen while towing.
It also provides liability on the job up to a million. And it ain't cheap, but better than paying out of pocket for a windshield or worse

Wheeldog · Dec 13, 2003

( Wheeldog, all the engines that you mentioned hold up well if properly maintained of course. Engine selection depends on what your main purpose for the truck will be. A gas burner is good all around for driving to work etc. but towing is limited. You could pull a JD 4210, but you'll have to take it easy. A diesel truck has more power but the cost of maintinace is higher. It really doesn't do a diesel any good to crank it up, drive 10-20 miles to work and cut it off. It's made to work.

As far as working on them, some jobs are easier than others!!

I'd be happy to answer any specific question if I know the answer. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )

jdcook00,
Thanks. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I'm not going to be buying anything for a little while. My tractor is probably at least 600-800 pounds lighter than a 4210 - when I tally up weights, I can't see myself towing anything more than 3500 lb. (tractor plus loader plus whatever else), NOT including the trailer weight. I was just curious to see whether you say "xxx is a great engine or stay away from yyy, etc.", as far as engines go.
Rob