Transporting a Tractor in the Snow

[radioman]

will you be able to drive the truck faster than the tractor it self also tie down time if possible i would drive the tractor

really?! I think its a bad idea to drive the tractor. After all he IS talking about a BX model tractor and the max speed is 8.1 mph at WOT. hmm its gonna take him over 2-3 hrs just to drive 20 miles. If he is talking about a B or L or bigger series, then ok- he can drive it, but IMHO not a BX. It takes tooooo long.


To OP, sounds like it your first trip with a loaded trailer in the winter. just drive deliberately slow till you get a hang of it.

 

[tcartwri]

I would consider brakes on all 4 wheels and lowering the tire pressures +-20lbs to give better road contact. In really poor conditions I would consider cables on the front set of trailer tires.

Absolutely do not follow this advice. Its snow and ice, not sand.

 

[simoutdoors]

Used to tow single axle trailer loaded with 20 HP Bolens with blower & cab behind Ford Ranger each snow storm. 20 ish miles round trip to clear both grand parents drives. Can't claim it was great idea, but it had to be done.

Consider salt damage to your equipment...

 

[silvertramp]

A pick up with a plow is the tool for that job. Otherwise, you're spending all your time loading/unloading.

 

[tcreeley]

Last winter I bought my 30hp tractor and towed it 80 miles home with my chevy 2500HD (tow package and everything). It was snowing pretty badly. I could only creep up the hilly back roads in 4 wheel drive. On a smooth and salted and slick stretch, the trailer swung out behind me into the other lane, but I managed to straighten it. Sure it can be done, but I'd never do it unless I had to again.
A pickup and plow is really the answer.

 

[strum456]

Does your truck have a progressive trailer brake controller? If not, I would strongly recommend getting one. They are nice, even when it isn't snowing.

 

[Combustix]

Buddy lost his boat when he hit black ice and went off into a field truck made it but he picked up pieces to the bot as he found them. I would take it easy 4 wd minimum. Chains in case. brakes on the trailer really are not Going to be much use if you are sliding Drive slow and cautious

 

[GPintheMitten]

On deep snow covered roads, if you can make it with your tow vehicle alone in 4wd without a problem, then I think you can do it with the trailer. But I'm assuming you have good tires on 4wd tow vehicle and a good trailer with good tires, balanced trailer load, trailer brakes and going as slow as necessary, not trying to pass people, and not trying to go the speed limit.

But you have to make your own judgment and use good sense. For instance consider what you will do if you encounter a big drift or a couple of cars spun out and blocking the road? Without a trailer, you could back up and/or turn around but you aren't likely to be able to do that with a trailer, and backing up 1/4 mile or more to a driveway is going to be next to impossible with a trailer in deep snow on back country roads that haven't been plowed.

For me, I wouldn't rule out trailering in deep snow, but there are conditions in which I would not venture out. Best to err on the side of caution.

 

[reggiejr]

If you can earn enough money to make it worth your while than why not.Only thing that would bother me is the tractor is going to get covered in sand,salt, and calcuim bigtime with all that hauling around but hey just wash it after.If all your stuff is in good working order tires,brakes,chains,binders(not Straps junk in snow and ice) youll be allset.If you have the truck,trailer and tractor why not use it and figure out if its worth it or not.A helper would be key for loading,shoveling ect.It would limit your down time get you in and out fast and on to the next one.good luck:thumbsup:

 

[lungdoc]

Presume truck is 4WD? With decent winter tires should be ok, wouldn't do it with a 2WD truck. Depending on tongue weight some added weight in bed of pickup may be helpful. We use an F150 4WD and it gets very loose in slippery roads with regular truck tires and an unloaded bed, quite respectable with a load in the back.