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Tractor Pulling Discussion Forum

Lawn tractor as a tow vehicle?

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Doug Thomas

03-21-2007 11:30:50




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Hi..long story short, I'm not a pulling enthusiast, I found your forum while searching for some sort of towing capacity chart for small garden tractors.
I've got a question for you folks, as you seemed like the most likely to have a clue.
I'm a mechanic, and I do quite a bit of repair work out of my home. I've got a very narrow driveway (too narrow for a conventional tow truck)which makes getting disabled cars into the garage a major event, involving either a sore back or a lot of finagling with my Toyota pickup.
The question is, would your average 8-10 HP lawn tractor be capable of towing a 3-4000 lb vehicle up a slight incline in stock form? Used lawn tractors are all over the place for a low investment, seems like a good idea on the surface..but I defer to the folks in the know.
What do ya think?

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EFV

03-21-2007 17:37:12




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 Re: Lawn tractor as a tow vehicle? in reply to Doug Thomas, 03-21-2007 11:30:50  
Your idea will work,what you are looking for is a gear drive Cub Cadet or Wheelhorse . Add ballast (weights,liquid in tires) for more traction,bar tires are also a big help. 12- 18 hp tractors are more common,no such thing as to much hp ! People who can push as much a good 12 horse can pull go bear hunting with a Swiss army knife ! LOL



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RCP

03-21-2007 15:24:14




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 Re: Lawn tractor as a tow vehicle? in reply to Doug Thomas, 03-21-2007 11:30:50  
We have done this with our Ford 14 HP hydro, and the problem is traction, with me on the tractor (235#) and a set of wheel weights (100#) we can pull a small pickup (S-10) or car (Ford Contour) pretty easily up our gravel driveway. The problem is getting them into the garage, which has a concrete floor and a 2" lip at the entrance. The garden tractor spins out on the concrete, especially if it is wet, however with a push from behind (2 people) we made it.

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Jim in OH

03-21-2007 14:20:41




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 Re: Lawn tractor as a tow vehicle? in reply to Doug Thomas, 03-21-2007 11:30:50  
Doug,... Mathias found the problem that you are going to have... It is not the power issue because those little tractors (particularly with the hydrostatic transmissions) are geared slow enough to have plenty of pulling power... It is the traction/weight issue.... For talking purposes, assume the tractor can pull approximately as hard as its own weight... on slippery surfaces, less. So figure if a couple guys can push the car... how hard are you pushing... probably no more than a couple hundred pounds.. I think that the average lawn/garden tractor probably weighs 300+ lbs so I don't see that you will have much problem unless it is slippery.. and if you do, just add some weight to the tractor.. most tractors have options for wheel weights... you can fill the tires.. add weight brackets/bars and gym weights... just remember to hitch low enough on the tractor so that you don't tip it over backwards.... I think it is a good idea... Jim

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Jim in OH

03-21-2007 14:26:44




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 Re: Lawn tractor as a tow vehicle? in reply to Jim in OH, 03-21-2007 14:20:41  
I should add that the weight of the driver on the tractor counts too... and that you can probably borrow or rent one to try it out... and you should assure that you can stop it also... like have a person in the car to brake (and steer) ... Jim



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Mathias NY

03-21-2007 12:36:48




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 Re: Lawn tractor as a tow vehicle? in reply to Doug Thomas, 03-21-2007 11:30:50  
In general most stock tractors will have a pulling force that is less than their weight. A car would probably be rolling, but it would be uphill. My guess off hand is no. Even if the mower had the power it would probably not have the traction. It might work, but it would be nearly at the capacity of the machine.

How long is your driveway? It might be very practical to mount a winch in the back of your garage to tow the cars in. Harbor Freight sells 12V winches for under $100 that have a 3000 lb capacity and 45' cable length. I don't know how durable it would be, but if it works you could probably justify a better one.

An even less expensive alternative would be to mount a pulley in the back of the garage, probably in the floor. This would let you pull out the driveway with the Toyota while dragging the car in.

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