Need a JD A hauled 20 miles - Why so difficult?

Ken Christopherson

Well-known Member
Let me first start off by saying I feel like I am looking for a needle in a haystack. Ha ha ha. I recently purchased a (stuck) '41 JD A that is approximately 20 miles from my house. Unfortunately, my Ford Taurus cannot handle the task of transporting it. While I have several friends with trucks, I have very few with trailers bigger than a 2-place snowmobile trailer. I have called around to local tow companies, and (to me), it seems that the price they want is crazy to load and go just 20 miles (Lino Lakes, MN to Ramsey, MN). What happened to someone that would help you out for fifty bucks or a couple cases of beer? Ha ha ha. I guess what I am getting at, is.. Is there anyone around that would be willing to lend a guy a helping hand for a couple hours, for a couple extra bucks or some beers? Call me cheap, call me whatever. I'm just looking for a little help to get this tractor in my garage so I can begin working on it. (I only live 9 miles from the local show grounds, so I drive my tractors there). Is this unreasonable in this day and age? Am I crazy? Hmphf.
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Well It's pretty much got to be a friend because unknowns are thinking "liability". Since your friends have trucks but no trailers then rental center trailer is probably your best bet. Nothing's free now-a-days , what is it that you do for them in return? In my "group" I provide flat bed trailer , heated garage and light mechanical work , another plows the driveways and has skidsteer for loading implements , another has the wood splitter and yet another has unlimited hand labor and nice homecooked meals when warranted. Just have to have a well rounded circle of people/friends. You'll get there.
 
No offense, but you are kind of asking a tall order of your friends. First off you bought a tractor with no way to move it. If I knew you and was close I would give you a hand, but even then I"m not fully equiped to deal with this tractor. Why? It"s stuck, which means either you have to use a winch or come-along or find some other creative way to get it on the trailer. I have a winch, but it isn"t mounted to my trailer yet. There are other things that get tricky these days like insurance & the DOT (techincally you are considered a commericial hauler if you haul a tractor for a buddy and recieve some form of payment in return).

I would think a towing company witha flatbed truck would be your best bet. Probably $100 or less.
 
it may be location, im out west and could easily haul this thing for you i have a winch truck to pull it up on the trailer and a trailer big enough to easily handel the tractor but im 2800 miles away
 

Ken,
I bought a M.M. U a year ago. Stuck, had not been moved in 13yrs.weighed 6500 lbs.
Hired a local small tow co. with a tilt flat bead . He wrenched that thing up no problem hauled it 80 miles to me for 350.00 dropped it exactly where I wanted it.
I was so happy with service.
Its not cheap to play with this old stuff.
Tony
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Tires look decent ? Air them up get the brakes working and hook it to the car with a tow rope and head out.
It could even be towed with the front end on a car dolly.
just go nice and easy and enjoy the view.

Any local tractor collectors ? I'd bet they would help out.
 
Get one of your friends with a truck and go rent a trailer. That will cost at least 85.00 to 100.00 for half a day. You really are being cheap about it.
 
I dont mean to pick, or sound like Mr. Perfect however, shouldnt this issue have been figured out before buying a tractor? Yea... I dont think I would be getting too involved in tractors without at least having my own pickup and the ability to go rent a trailer.
Nice tractor though...
First comes the horse, then the cart.
 
Well, I guess you need friends with bigger equipment. LOL! But seriously, look at it this way: a commercial hauler has somebody on the clock, has a truck to maintain, and has to put at minimum 4 gallons of fuel to do your job. No less than 2hrs labor, 20.00 fuel, and then truck's maintenance.

My friends and I do a lot/ help each other a lot. I get some hauling jobs because I have the stuff to do it. I only ask for fuel and maybe lunch. Actually, I don't ask for anything, but that's the standard offer. I'd help if you were closer! -Andy
 
First, let me start off by saying thank you very much for all of the replies. I apologize if I gave anyone a bad taste in their mouth about the subject, about me, etc. You see, let me first say that I previously owned a pickup, but made the decision to sell it when I moved within 8-9 miles of the local show grounds. Would I use the pickup other than for hauling tractors? Sure, but the occasional use would not justify the $100+/week fuel cost. Should I have sold my collection? I did. All but one tractor which was my grandfathers. This recent purchase is going to be for the (future) wife to use in parades, etc. She was interested in sharing the hobby with me, so we began looking.
Second, I have been a collector since I was 10 years old. Now that I am 27, I guess one could say that I have progressed beyond a 'novice' collector - but there are still some things I am trying to figure out. I don't really have any friends who are into tractors, which makes things a little challenging. Do I have plenty of favors to give in return? Absolutely. In the group of friends that I do have, we all are most willing to give each other a hand with one thing or another. So that is not an issue.
Third, most of the rental places around here have folded up. There are places like U-Haul, but I have checked with them and their trailers are open deck - meaning it would only work if it were a wide front.
Lastly, the gentleman I have bought the tractor from does not have a timeline for me to come get it. He has 30+ tractors, and is keeping it where I have easy access, so that I can load and go whenever I have a chance. I just figured I would reach out on this forum to see if anyone may be able to help. I guess by doing so, I may have given people the wrong impression about me. Am I frugal? Yes, kind of. Maybe I am a little uneducated. I have never had a tow company haul anything, and to me $200.00 seems a little expensive to haul something 20 miles. Who knows. Would I hook up behind a pickup with a tow strap? Sure would, but I think I would catch heck from the patrol here in suburbia. My thoughts were that I might be able to make a friend in the hobby over the deal. Offer a little money, or a couple cold cases of drinks, and maybe a good meal. Friends helping friends is always desirable. Again, sorry if I offended anyone.
 
Get one of your friends that knows how to drive that has a pickup and a tow strap or chain. Make sure the tractor tires hold air and that the brakes work and the transmission is in neutral. Just don't go over eight or ten miles an hour with it. I pulled my B to the house that way when I got it. Engine was stuck too.
 
ken, for me to send a flat bed tow truck, cost is 85 dollars to load, and 3 dollars a loaded mile. the tow truck is very expensive to operate.
 
That seems to be about the going rate around where I am at as well. I guess I am a bit uneducated in regards to the towing and recovery field. I know that the cost of fuel is up, added to the cost of operator time, also subtracting the opportunity to address other clients... Liability, etc. Just was not what I was expecting is all.
 
Well, I don't think anybody took offense to what you're asking. I know I didn't, anyway.

Now, Here's another thought: That's an A. I don't know what your other tractor is, but that A can pretty easily go on a tandem axle car hauler trailer. (I'd prefer a 10,000lb equipment trailer.) Watching Craigslist, a used trailer capable of handling it sells from about $700 - $2000 in my area. $3500 buys a very nice one new. Point is, maybe you buy the trailer, and accept loaning it to a friend once in a while in return for using his truck. Now, If your other tractor is something like this A or a Farmall M or something, you could pull the trailer with that, too. Now I'm just thinking out loud. -Andy
 
Why not make it a day of fun with one of your other tractors and drive there get the brakes working on the A and pull it home with another tractor im pretty sure they couldn't do anything to you because its a tractor where im at its not uncommon to see this practice
 
Ken, you're not cheap, just frugal. Everyone has to watch their cash flow. Are you crazy? No, maybe a little out of touch. The last time I had a vehicle hauled any distance it cost me a dollar a mile. That was several years ago and I knew the man who owned the rollback. He hauled for me for about thirty years, and I felt that he treated me right. He retired last year,I dread having to call another wrecker service. Oops,sorry, I got off track.
Now, if you should decide to tow it, run a chain or tow strap through a piece of 2 or 3 inch dia.pipe, in case the brakes aren't as good as they should be,this will keep you from ramming the tow vehicle. I have done this many times.Oh, yes, you will need a SMV sign and if possible flashing lights on the rear. I have a set that I bought from HF that have magnetized bases. Concerning the open frame U-Haul trailer, is there a way that you might place some timbers or heavy metal plate across the open space to support the front wheels? A little careful looking and planning often yields surprising results. And don't forget to chain it down! Good luck on your venture and keep us posted.
 
Well, the brakes work. It is the motor that is stuck from sitting. I know that the brakes work, because I can rock the tractor back and forth by hand where it sits. I think, though, that I would rather just have a friend pull me with their pickup rather than drive the Case SC over there, and then drag it back. Seeing as it is only -15*F right now, I think 4-5 hours on a cold metal seat is a little much. Plus, I don't think any of my friends would be willing to sit on a cold seat for that long. They would much rather prefer I sit on the seat, and they sit on their heated leather, ha ha ha.

I found this link on the local government website. Can anyone interpret it better than I? If I read it correctly, there is no law against towing with a strap?
Local Statutes
 
This is going to be quite a venture no matter how I decide to pursue it. Ha ha. Even when I do get it home, I have to figure out how I am going to push it up the slightly inclined driveway and into the garage, lol. I thought about just using a piece of 4X4 post to place between the two tractors (pedestal to pedestal), and pushing it gently in this manner. Worst case scenario is the 4X4 slips, and the front tires hit each other. It's definitely going to have to be a "crafty" situation.
 
Maybe the person you bought it from can deliver it or maybe he knows someone that could. You will need either truck/trailer with a good winch or the use of a tractor to push/ pull the A onto a trailer or truck. For 20 miles I would flat tow it back myself. Wait for a warm day if time is not a factor and either get a friend to tow it with a pickup or use your tractor.
 
Maybe a bit late in the game to be adding my little bit, but.....
I would suggest a few things. Among them being a tow bar. Short of putting in on a commercial flatbed, or getting it on a trailer, that would be the next safe way to move it.
With a tow bar, one man can complete the move alone.
One thing that comes to mind is that where I live, it is illegal to tow ANYTHING with a person in or on it. Found that out the hard way.
 
Way back before I got set up to haul things I made a tow bar to pull a B JD home. I welded a flat iron to a 2x2 box iron and bolted it to the pedestal between the wheels. It had a ball hitch that I hooked to the receiver of the pickup. With it hooked solid to the truck you don't need anyone to ride it home. Take it slow and it will work.
 
MSD, that is the best suggestion yet! I am not that familiar with the tractor under consideration, so I just picked up on the tow strap/chain and trailer suggestions and ran with that.
 
20 miles for me without a truck and trailer would be a friend, a chain and a tractor to pull it. Probly three hours round trip.
 
I recently had an acquaintance as me to haul a tractor 235 miles one way. I like the guy but sure can't afford to give my days away or go in the hole. Since it was going to be over 150 miles from home it would not be legal using the dually and gooseneck trailer as a farm unit. As a class A CDL holder I can't risk the implications. So then we had to look at using my semi with Apportioned plates. I figured at least $300 in fuel and told him I would do it for total $500. ( half of normal rate). I was so happy that I did a jig when his honey said I was to high. It costs about $850/month to pay for commercial insurance and license and people want you to give them free favors. Just licensed the dually today and it cost $550. I will do what I can for folks but I can't afford to haul stuff for free or do custom work for free. My next job is to go out and collect from a baling customer that has payed from last june and bad checks on hay.
 
Hi Ken,
If you have warm garage all ready for this tractor, I would bite the bullet and pay the $200 to have it hauled home. Once you start working on it the hauling fee will be soon forgotten.

Trying to tow a 5000 or 6000 pound non-running tractor down those fast urban highways and icey residential streets will be a PITA for you and for everyone else on those roads. It could turn dangerous fast.

FYI, you may have to remove the muffler and maybe the air stack to get that tractor under a seven foot high garage door. That would be worth doing before you haul it, so it can go straight into the garage when you get it home. That could be involed on a styled Deeres, check the achieves or ask on the Deere forum for how to remove them. I don't know for sure, but the hood and steering shaft may need to be removed to take off the muffler.

Good luck and stay safe. That looks like a very straight A.
 
Thanks. Make it long enough so you can make turns ok and use heavy enough tubing so it will not bend if something does go bad. I think mine was about 8ft. long but could have been more. I used the back roads also.
 
Ken,
You're not asking too much. If you were closer I'd help you. I've gone a heck of a lot farther to haul something for a friend and had then help me also.
 
That's what I did two weeks ago when I needed a tractor shipped to my brother 40 minutes away. The peace of mind is worth it.
 
I have hauled a few tractors free, and they buy the gas why all the nasty things said? It is fun the only trouble I see with yours is getting it on the trailer with the motor stuck.
 
I got your meaning , friends do help each other, no to much to ask ,tractor club members help each other all the time get to and from show , never tryto pull a tractor 20 miles , to dangerious , good luck, tom
 
ya but the scene of a live Case pulling a dead jd is always priceless, if you lived by me I would do it for $50 or $75 on a sat. or Sun. afternoon
 
Not that I want to start an argument, because I don't think one is needed. I do feel I must defend myself.

First, my unrealistic thoughts. I apologize, as I previously stated, I have never had anything hauled before (always hauled it myself) and was definitely taken back by way of "sticker shock". It just seemed to me that I might be able to reach out to someone in the forum, someone locally, who may enjoy helping a fellow collector, and getting paid for at the very least, their fuel and a little time. Heck, maybe even create a friendship out of the deal might happen.

Second. I had not mentioned my financial position. Being able to afford the tow company's asking price is not the matter in question. Searching for good help, locally, stemming a 'help me help you' relationship was more what I was going for.

Third, I would never ask someone, especially someone I have never met, to make a 400 mile round trip for $50, or free. For someone to take 50$, or 75$ to pull a tractor (let's go round trip) maybe 50-60 miles unloaded and loaded.. I think that is an ok price. Diesel fuel per gallon locally = $4.099. So I figure 10 mpg, loaded. 50 miles @ 10 mpg = 5 gallons burned. 5 gallons X $4.099 = $20.50. So take the other 30-50$ and put it in your pocket. Thanks for your time. Maybe we can stem a "tractor talk" relationship over it. Share knowledge, give a helping hand when needed with whatever. Even if the pay is a good meal with good conversation, I think that a lot of enjoyment can be found in that.

Heck. I have done a heck of a lot more, for no pay, for both friends and acquaintances. Even dug out and pulled the Domino's Pizza delivery gal out of a ditch in a snowstorm a couple of years ago (when I still had a truck). All I asked was that she slow down, and drive carefully. Some might say that I have been "too nice", or foolish in all of the help I have done for free or a meal. I just enjoy lending a helping hand where I can. As the saying goes: Pay it forward.

As far as me being a cheapskate... Well. Everyone has their own opinion, and I apologize if my post painted a negative picture of myself.
 
I agree. Towing with a strap or tow bar would probably be the least desirable route. I think safety would be a huge concern - although I would avoid highways, the county road speed limits around here are 55 mph. And in suburbia, people tend to be unaware, texting, and a bit of 'in a hurry'.

The garage does have a seven foot door, and I figured I would have to pull the muffler and air cleaner stack. I just ordered my service manual and should be getting it in the next couple of days. I will stop over and pull the steering shaft, hood, and necessary items before transporting it, that way I can just "load and go". It is going to be tricky getting it into the garage, but I should be able to get it in no problem. I don't know any other way than to push it with the other tractor.

Thanks for the luck, and the tractor is very straight. A couple minor dents, but nothing too major.
 
ken, these forums can be a little rough sometimes don't take it to heart. I hauled a truck last week for a friend about 18 miles round trip when done he asked me what he owed me I told him buy me lunch sometime and left. I don't work for free usually but he is a friend and if I was broke down and needed help he would help no questions asked.
 
If I was closer I would do it for nothing.Most of the time when I do things for some of my friends for no charge They actually pay me back double in other things.
 
My in laws live in Isanti, MN. I get down that way every so often, but I don't pull my trailer on MN salty roads. If it was sometime after spring rains cleaned up these cancerous roads, I'd be willing to help you out when I was down that way sometime. Usually don't take my trailer out until end of April or beginning of May.
 
Try your local tractor club. If there are old tractors in your area I bet there is some sort of club. Might even check with your local JD dealer for a recommendation, guys at the parts counter know lots of people. A dealer also knows once you get the tractor home and into it they will be selling parts.
 
Unrealistic expectation!

Let's look at what's all involved.

So you want me to hook up my $6000. trailer {deck over gooseneck with $1000 winch and $150 3rd ramp} to my $50,000 diesel truck. It'll take avery bit of 2 hours of messing around to get it to your place. Then we have to somehow roll it off the trailer with out getting anyone hurt or tearing up your property or mine.

Let's say I agree to all this for a case of beer. If all goes well we both have a beer and a warm fuzzy feeling for doing a buddy a favor.

If it doesn't go well your ------ and on the phone with your attorney.

True story, not me.

2 buddies agree to the above scenario. All goes well till the unloading. Proud new owner of stuck tractor tells his buddy to back right up to the garage. I'll drive it right off the trailer into the spot I want to work on it. Owner operator of the truck trailer asks about the brakes and are you sure?? Long story short the tractor owner forgets the tractor exhaust is taller that the garage door and doesn't get it stopped in time to run through the garage wall into the living room.

After I heard that story is when I bought my winch. Makes loading easy and unloading very controlled.
 
Ken, as 8V92guy stated, sometimes they get a little rough on here. You ask a question, you sort through the answers. Most of us understand what you are getting at, about people helping people, some can't see the forest for the trees. As the old saying goes, Opinions are like A$$holes, everyone has one and they are all a little different. Sometimes the AH part stands out more than the opinion, as OnDaRoad's statements prove.
 
I find dealing with people with a $5000 truck and $2000 trailer are better to work with. A lot less ego and you don"t have to listen to the "do you know how much I have in my ......." Guys with your rig want a small fortune to haul nothing most of the time.
 
When you don't own equipment the tendency is to look at a truck and trailer sitting in a driveway and think "it's just sitting there doing nothing, better $50 than nothing!". But that is not the real world. The minute that equipment hits the road, costs of operation come into play and, with the way you are talking, it would be cheaper to leave it sit on the drive. The kind of hauls you are talking about are between friends. Don't expect it of strangers.

This past fall I had an IH 720 on land plow hauled over 100 miles one way. On a separate trip I had an IH 86 series tractor hauled, again over 100 miles. Cost of each haul was over $300. This was the cheapest I could find and I was pleased with it. Both haulers were pleased also and asked me to remember them for the future. That's the way business is done. You need to be realistic about the cost of living.
 
If I were closer id help ya out. Everyone seems to be out for them selves anymore. Around these parts, its not uncommon for guys to help each other out. A couple of the posters on here will need a hand some day and nobody will lend one. What comes around goes around.
 
Well guys... After reading through all responses, and talking to several local people over the last couple weeks.. I decided to just have it hauled. To save any frustration and preserve safety on the roads, towing it by strap or chain was pretty much out of the question. We have pretty busy roads here in the suburbs of Minneapolis, so I knew I would have to trailer it or better.

On the plus side, I got every dime I paid for. The gentleman that was operating was very willing to meet what I needed. He even helped me roll the tractor into the garage (by hand) when we got it home. We shared some stories for about 20 minutes, talked about tractors, I showed him around grandpa's '41 Case SC.. Even talked about a mutual friend we both have who served in Iraq and lost a limb during service. I enclosed a few pictures (sorry for the poor quality - cell phone). Hope you guys enjoy them, and again, thank you for ALL of your responses. I can't wait to dig into this project. Good news is the brakes are not frozen up, and work quite well (the pedals need to be lubed up, as they are sticky). Should be a fun project, and now I can let it thaw out a little.
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Glad to see you got it home. Enjoy your time working on it and spending time with the little lady.
 
Glad you got it home. I have bought tractors three times in the last three years. Twice i rented a trailer. They were longer hauls. Cost about 85 bucks to rent. The last one was only about 8-10 miles away, got lucky and a good friend loaned his trailer to me. About a two hour job.
 
Well,I'm glad that's over with!I was gettin' tired just thinkin' about it.LOL Nice old Case. Good luck on your new project and keep us posted.
 
I got to work right away on it last night, and actually was able to free up the motor as well. Here are a few more pictures that I took. Just a couple of treasures between the "V8" Crankcase breather cap, the beehives, and what looks to be evidence of an old loader with PTO driven hydraulic pump. Also was impressed that the dash bulb was in tact, and the filament was still all there. Enjoy!
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Interesting response.

Don't be jealous now.

I don't haul for hire.

I bought my equipment specifically to persue my hobby.

I've been there and done that with junk equipment. It sucked. There was a time in my life when I was proud to have a $5000 truck and $2000 trailer. No more. See previous statement about junk.
 
Glad to see you got it home, Im in Cincinnati but have bid on a few jobs up your way... I was thinking to myself "if I find myself up there Im gonna give this guy a call" I have a 36,000 truck and a trailer with winch.... but there are also things I don't have where strangers have helped for a fair price. I was gonna offer $75
 
Thanks for that, and I'm just glad to have it home. Got it pretty well torn down now. Just the big pieces are ready to come off . (But with the tight working spaces I've got, that will have to wait until the temps are above zero). I spent some time looking around trying to locate someone to help, and I thought to myself - why hadn't I posted on YT yet? I have gotten so much help on here over the years that I was surprised it wasn't the first thing I did. Been coming to the forums since the late 1990's (Back in the America Online days). Again, thanks everyone for all of the responses. It was very much appreciated!
 
I have never owned a trailer for farm use. I always thought weather if was having hay or equipment hauled I would pay someone else to do it. I didn't have to make the payment license or the insurance. I was laughed at for paying the price but when penciled out it was always cheaper. The people that hauled for me had no complaints
 

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