dollying a tractor?

Andy Taylor · Jul 28, 2008

I have a tricycle super C that MUST be moved 300 miles. I cannot find a trailer anywhere. I have very limited recources.

I know this is probablly a very bad idea but..........
I was wondering if the front bolster can be removed, with the steering piviot firmly bolted to a pickup bed
and towed with the rear wheels on the ground and spread all the way out and with the tractor in netural.. I also know this is probablly less than a 40MPH load.

I also realize that this will really wear on the tires, but I am more concerned with the internal bearings and bull gears as they are not designed for this speed. any thoughts?(becides ARE YOU NUTS)???

evilboweviel · Jul 28, 2008

where you located at??
Ron

davediehl@hotmail.com · Jul 28, 2008

I think you are going to have more rear end problems than what the entire unit will be worth in scrap. Things turn and churn oil for lubrication. When you fail to have the engine shaft turning, its not running oil as it will need. Bearings, bushings will wear probably faster than the tires. You may arrive home with a load of scrap metal. Not a good plan.

KEB1 · Jul 28, 2008

There are some things you simply do not skimp on - the safety of everyone else on the road is one of them.

How expensive is it to rent a car hauler or a flatbed for the day, rather than trying to jury rig something that'll either compromise safety or destroy the tractor, or both. Compare the cost of even having someone move it for you to the cost of hurting someone else, destroying your tow vehicle, or destroying the tractor.

I realize U-haul & the like probably won't rent you a car hauler if they know you're going to put a tractor on it, however....

The super C weighs about 2900 lbs, well within the capability of any reasonably sized dual axel trailer.

Good luck,

Keith

ScottyHOMeY · Jul 28, 2008

You needn't share whatever it is that made you capitalize MUST. And I understand limited resources -- BTDT, got the t-shirt. But no tractor is worth a life (your own or the innocents around you.) 40 mph is out of the question. It would be VERY dicey even at 10 mph in the manner you're thinking of. And that's just getting it there without flipping it and the whole rig, never mind the wear on the machine or the tires.

For alternatives --

Move it from where it is to somewhere nearby until you can arrange for a trailer for the longer trip.

Give it up.

Don't be bashful about asking for help. There's enough folks around here, spread all over the place, that you might just find somebody with other things to haul that your trip isn't that far out of their way and they'd be willin' to help. Where is it and where does it need to go?

old · Jul 28, 2008

50 miles at maybe 30 mph but no way that far. Rent a trailer or find a friend with one and pay him to haul it. Ya you might get by doing that at 20MPH but if you have to do that why not get some one to take you to the tractor with a trailer that is a small camper and drive it home and camp out at night

rustyfarmall · Jul 29, 2008

O.K., I won't call you nuts, but I will call you inexperienced, which is not a bad thing and is easily remedied. I also fully understand about the limited resources thing, so if you just let us know where you are at, you might find someone who can do it right, and willing to do it for the price of the fuel used.

Dennis Benson · Jul 29, 2008

I did something like that in something like 1973 with a Farmall BN, but I towed it about 10 miles, and I drove about 10 miles per hour tops on back roads. I hung it from the back of my truck with a chain around the bolster, but it could have set the spindle on a bar from a receiver if I had one then. Trailering is definitely the way to go. As a last resort I would drive it there, but bring camping equipment and rain gear.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 29, 2008

Beside all the other good reasons listed here for not doing it is this- if the rears have fluid in, you can destroy the tire from the inside out by the fluid sloshing at that speed.

Andy Taylor · Jul 29, 2008

Thank you all and please forgive me for my loss of sanity on this.

MUST= this tractor was bought new by my dad in 1953. there is NO WAY I want to leave it behind. But I dont want to destroy it either.

The shop I rented is in fore clousure and will be sold the 5th. I have no choice but to go, and i feel kinda against the wall. I also have a nice 4 wheel wagon that pulls straight, but i think the center of gravity will be far too high and this will certainly tip over.

I have even pondered dissambling it and stuffing the parts in the pickup bed.

I am in Gilman Illinois, about 70 miles south of Chicago. I have a job waiting in Springfield Mo.
thanks
Andy

Andy Taylor · Jul 29, 2008

EDIT:

A cheap or borrowed 14-16 foot tandem axle utility trailer would do the trick.I have a chevy truck that will handle it. I would be willing to return it as I must make two trips anyway.

Thanks guys
Andy

Germ · Jul 30, 2008

Rent a trailer at your local rental center. 16' double axle, tilt bed equipment trailers rent for $30-$50 a day.

hay · Jul 30, 2008

renting a trailer from u-haul would be by far the best and safest idea.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 30, 2008

I think all the u-hauls have open decks. I found a rental center that had an aluminum decked trailer for 50 or 60 bucks. Check your yellow pages, especially surrounding areas. Good luck! joe in ny

Andy Taylor · Jul 30, 2008

yes the U-haul trailer have open decks. however, maybe a few 2 X 12"s in the center would solve the problem??

Drive the tractor on there rear-first, and boom the front down. the front shouldn"t go anywhere.

evilboweviel · Jul 30, 2008

how about hoisting it up on the wagon and removing all the wheels and chaining it down?

too far wawy or I would loan you a trailer
good luck
Ron

Anonymous-0 · Jul 30, 2008

Andy: I live just west of Champaign,IL and have a 16 foot tandem axle aluminum trailer, 7,000 lb. GVW, which I use to haul my Super C. The trailer weights about 1,200 lbs. and the Super C weights about 3,000 lbs. Get a hold of me; maybe we can work something out. Wayne

rednekelmo · Jul 30, 2008

a uhaul trailer is out but ryder has solid floor trailers with surge brakes just dont tell them you will be hauling a tractor

Anonymous-0 · Jul 31, 2008

I considered all that work and it was easier and only about $10 more to find the right trailer for the job. Besides if there was a problem on the trip and u-haul found out about a modified trailer and moving a farm tractor, I didn't want the hassle. Keep it simple. Have fun! joe in ny

NE NEB FARMALL · Aug 4, 2008

I would agree find a trailer but if you can't I have seen the following:

1- square tube or channel from bolts on front bolster to coupler to hook to ball hitch. Top speed 30 mph.

2- I know a guy who uses a 2 wheel car dolly type item to put front wheels on. Top speed 30mph

3- Just drive it- top speed 12-15 mph

Just thoughts

glennster · Aug 6, 2008

andy, if you need a place to park it, i am over in reddick, i have room in the barn, you can store it there till you make arrangements to get it to springfield. looks like you are about 38 miles or so from me.

dkbringham · Aug 12, 2008

I had an uncle who used to go custom harvesting in the 50"s using a pull-type gleaner and a super "M". He would take off the narrow front and attach it to the pickup bed (grain truck pulling the gleaner) and dolly it that way. I remember that at the end of the season the lugs were nearly gone on the tractor"s tires. In no way am I recommending...just telling a story.

Oleman · Aug 15, 2008

U-Haul has a tandem wheeled 6x12 hd trailer they call a dirt hauler. It would handle the little C and it comes with surge brakes. I once hauled 4000# for 1500 miles only problem was a tire blew that was fixed free by u-haul on the road.
If you are going to haul heavy make sure U check the air pressure in the tires.

Brian in Ohio · Sep 4, 2008

What if you were to load the tractor backwards on the open deck trailer, and place the front end at an angle, so the wheels were on the "deck".

Anonymous-0 · Sep 4, 2008

Am I the only one to notice that Andy states "The shop I rented is in fore clousure and will be sold the 5th. I have no choice but to go, and i feel kinda against the wall."
This guy posts on July 29th for HELP when he is apparently renting a shop that he let go into foreclosure.
WHY should anyone help him out?
If he 'valued' his Dads' tractor so much, why would he let it be stored at a place that he let go into foreclosure.
Sorry - call me "old fashioned" but I think you should pay your bills and that includes your rent.

john d · Sep 4, 2008

Nothing wrong with being old-fashioned, but the way I read it, he RENTED some space, he doesn't own it. If it's in foreclosure, wouldn't that be the fault of the OWNER?

Anonymous-0 · Sep 4, 2008

What Andy also said is that he is moving out of the area some 300 miles.
" am in Gilman Illinois, about 70 miles south of Chicago. I have a job waiting in Springfield Mo."
My take on it is that he is leaving the area and whatever it is he is/was doing.
It is one thing to lose storage space - it is another thing not to pay your bills and skip town.
If I am wrong, I apologize.
But that is the way I read it.

dollying a tractor?

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