what's the farthest you're comfortable driving on the road?

[papachaz]

I've got a guy local who I'm talking to about bush hogging 4-5 acres who only lives 7 miles from me. Debating on loading and hauling or just driving over there on the tractor. Thoughts?

 

[Bluesteel]

I've got a guy local who I'm talking to about bush hogging 4-5 acres who only lives 7 miles from me. Debating on loading and hauling or just driving over there on the tractor. Thoughts?

Busy road? Highway? Hills and valleys? You could always have someone follow you with flashers on. But remember, it only takes one accident to change everything. If you have any doubt at all about roading it, play it safe and load it up.

If you trailer it you'll also can take everything with you.

 

[mred2]

Old school. As a kid we drove a group of tractors over 60 miles. Besides the time and fuel costs, the tires looked like they took about 3 to 4 years use in one day. They were hauled back by trucks.

 

[the old grind]

Modern CUT with flashers and a route on two lane roads with generous shoulders to pull off onto .... I'd guess that for 5-7 mi it'd be a tough call considering time to load/haul vs time to drive, so @ what Bluesteel said to make a decision.

I recall a guy driving a JD 500C 2WD backhoe ('Industrial', 15k+ lbs) all of 11 mi each way to do a small job on his MIL's 45' x 75' lot. It was easier to buy than would be to haul. (bought it cheap too due to ++ weight and seasonal load restrictions) There were plenty of four lane roads to cross or travel on, and half a dozen stoplights.

 

[CobyRupert]

Busy road? Highway? Hills and valleys? You could always have someone follow you with flashers on. But remember, it only takes one accident to change everything. If you have any doubt at all about roading it, play it safe and load it up.

If you trailer it you'll also can take everything with you.

I HATE when I see somebody in a car following a tractor (that has flashers, or implement with orange triangle) with their car flashers on. Like this somehow makes it more safe? NOT!
They make the situation more dangerous!!

Instead of the public passing one 20' vehicle going 16 mph which may require (say) 60' of road to pass, now we have 120' of road being occupied by 2 vehicles going 16 mph which takes (say) 240' of road to pass.
You know the impatient public is going to pass!

You just made it about 4 times more dangerous! :mur:

 

[Diggin It]

Type of road makes all the difference. Our two lane (or less) unpainted County roads get quite a bit or tractor traffic. You don't see too many on the State Highways with painted lines except for the larger machines with road gears capable of at least 25 MPH.

.

 

[JerryK]

Depending on the weather, a mile can be fun. But seven miles is a long haul. You would be surprised how quick cars come up on you even when you are trying to pay attention and not just enjoying the ride. Most are annoyed that you are in their play space. If it is open station, you get the sand flying off the front tires, and the wind can make you wish you had a face mask real quick. You can crank up the speed and hope that you do not hit a big pot hole. If you ever have had to drive a tractor with a flat tire, especially the rear, that is GREAT fun. Those foot high sidewalls when collapsed means you are going to be sitting at a big side angle when flat. And hopefully you won't have a blow out at speed. Just clutzing down the road fairly slow and enjoy the ride...works for me.

 

[mslisaj]

I've driven my tractor one mile in each direction to do a job as I don't have a trailer. I was fine and the situation was safe but my concern was with the tires as they are a soft rubber. I live in a rural community so seeing a tractor on the road with it's flashers and the "legal" triangle is no big deal. But the tire wear issue is what I think about. Just my thoughts.

 

[papachaz]

ok thanks for all the replies.

I'll be the first two miles on our country road, good shoulder to get off on, probably would ride with two wheels on the shoulder anyway. the next 4 1/2 miles would be through town, little country town and trust me there are a lot of tractors through there. the last 1/2 mile or so would be on the highway, but enough shoulder there to drive on and not on the road at all. only one signficant hill, and that's the bridge over the railroad tracks.

having said all that, I'm thinking I'll just haul it, because as mentioned above, I can take more things with me when I go, cooler of water, more tools in the truck box, etc. thanks for all the responses though!

 

[Bird]

CobyRupert, I suspect we'd be in the minority, but I agree with you. I had the "slow vehicle" placards on the back of the two little Kubotas I used to have, and it wasn't unusual for me to drive one on the farm-to-market road from my place to my brother's place; a distance of about 7 miles. Now my top speed was only 7 to 12 mph, BUT I might see no other traffic, or maybe as much as 2 or 3 cars or trucks when I did that. I also drove the neighbor's big old Oliver and to and from where we were cutting and baling hay. I think it's top speed was 18 mph, and we were usually only going 3 to 10 miles, although on one job it was more like 12 to 15 miles.

Now I would not have wanted to do that if it had been a busy road for traffic.