Do not turn the tractor sideways on the ramp with the boat parallel with the ramp! It could turn the tractor over or cause it to jack knife. The tractor has the power but the weight could be an issue. If the ramp is not to steep it might work OK. I would get a ROPS, add ballast to the tires, turn it around on flat ground before you back it down.
YM1500 to launch a boat ?
- Thread starter mjdupre
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Northstar9126
Bronze Member
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- Nov 23, 2004
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I would be most concerned about the brakes on the tractor being able to stop the tractor and boat. I had a 1500D (great little tractor). I think you will have no problem getting the boat out of the water, putting in would be my concern. Maybe you could take the anchor from the boat, put it on the tractor and throw it "overboard" if the brakes don't stop you.
Underwaterdog
Bronze Member
I hope this doesn't sound like preaching, but I feel like I need to add something to my previous post. Please take the other's advice and get a ROPS, whether you decide to use it to launch the boat or not. Make sure everything is in good mechanical order. Also please wear a life jacket anytime you are in a boat or around the water. Those inflatable ones are compact, light and cool, and I wear mine anytime I am in the boat, and require my passengers to do the same. I used to do Search & Rescue and it should have been called Search & Recovery, because that was what most of the calls were. I also so unexpectedly got thrown out of a boat as a passenger going about 35MPH. If I had not have had a PFD on I probably wouldn't be here now. I will soon be pulling my boat out from under the shed and using the lift to pick the front up so I can wash it out easier. I am confortable pulling my larger boat with a larger tractor because I know how it feels. IMO thats really not that big of a boat, and the tongue weight should be well within the capablility of the tractor. I had thought about BruceR's comment about mounting a hitch on the front of the tractor. You could mount a 2" receiver and change to different drawbar heights as necesary, but may reduce traction when pulling it out since the wheels will be turning backwards. I did that many years ago on a Sears Garden tractor (lawnmower) to put my first boat under a very tight fitting shed. If you decide to do this, trust your feelings, and if something doesn't feel right just stop. Saving a hundred dollars of gas is good, but it isn't worth your life. When things go wrong, it happens fast.
svcguy
Gold Member
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I think you will be surprised at the ability of your tractor, but attempting a pull with the tractor tires in the water can make a big difference. I built a trailer for my sailboat, allowing me to extend the tongue 10 feet during launch. It makes a big difference not to have the tow vehicle half summerged in the water. You may be able to rig something along that line to help. All of the suggestions have been helpful and I am sure that with a bit of ingenuity and caution you will be fine.
jimmer2880
Platinum Member
I pull my 2500 lb ski boat around the yard with my F16. However, I only do so very very carefully & slowly and as infrequently as possible. One of the HUGE things you'll notice, is that because of the short wheelbase of these tractors, if you go down any hill forward (not like backing down a ramp, rather driving down the ramp pulling the boat), if you turn at all, the weight of the boat will want to flip the tractor.
Get a ROPS ASAP. I have a friend of mine's son who died last year. They used a tractor to pull boats around the boat shop. While pulling one of the boats, tractor rolled, killing the 15 year old instantly. I believe the ROPS was folded down.
Use 4wd when backing down the ramp for braking traction. On our tractors, we only have rear wheel brakes. When you are in 4wd, that gives you 1 more braking wheel.
Get a ROPS ASAP. I have a friend of mine's son who died last year. They used a tractor to pull boats around the boat shop. While pulling one of the boats, tractor rolled, killing the 15 year old instantly. I believe the ROPS was folded down.
Use 4wd when backing down the ramp for braking traction. On our tractors, we only have rear wheel brakes. When you are in 4wd, that gives you 1 more braking wheel.
OP
mjdupre
New member
Thanks again for all the suggestions.
Based on all of the suggestions, I went ahead and ordered the ROPS.
Already received it and will install this weekend.
Based on all of the suggestions, I went ahead and ordered the ROPS.
Already received it and will install this weekend.
California
Super Star Member
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- Jan 22, 2004
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- Yanmar YM240 Yanmar YM186D
I dunno. This will be used to go down a boat ramp. There are no brakes on the front axle. It's a 25 year old tractor. If you break a front ujoint etc you will be launched right along with the boat.
I think I wouldn't use a front hitch for this considering the slope. It would be fine on flat ground.
I think I wouldn't use a front hitch for this considering the slope. It would be fine on flat ground.
