I have always wondered why more people do not drive tractors where they need to go. Now it is my time to make the decision. 65 miles, pretty flat terrain, state numbered two-lane highway with wide shoulders, MF 265 diesel. Equipment place said $200 to truck it. Friend with trailer said $150. I think it would cost about $20 in fuel and take around 5 hours. That pays at a rate of about $26 an hour over my friend's offer by my figuring, good money to me, but I never see people driving their machinery this kind of distance. Yes, I know someone has to drive you one way but in my case this is not a problem, going anyway.
- Thread starter frankvt
- Start date
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
you have a valid question there. I personaly have drivin backhoes,loaders,farm tractors. a good distance. I think it all comes down to is time. How much is that worth? I say go for it,just make sure your fluids are up & you have a triangle.Oh make sure you have alot of coffee.
randallinMo
Member
Lots of equipment gets driven to its destination. I once drove a 4020 out to Miami Oklahoma staying on all rural roads. 'Don't remember how far it was, but it took me about 10 hours. Really was an enjoyable day. That tractor didn't have a cab either. 65 miles doesn't sound like much to me.
TomH in PA
Well-known Member
How are you going to get there? Someone drives up with you then that's two to six more hours to account for, depending on whether they escort you back. Plus the safety factor, tire wear, and possibility of a breakdown.
I'd pay someone with the right insurance and a commercial driver's license to haul it.
I'd pay someone with the right insurance and a commercial driver's license to haul it.
I'd haul it if it was mine... In the end you won't save near what you think you will when you factor in tire wear and such things.
I'd drive it if I had to and not worry about it, but for convienence's sake I'd haul it.
Hauling and you're there and back inside three hours. Driving it will blow the day.
What's that worth to you?
Rod
I'd drive it if I had to and not worry about it, but for convienence's sake I'd haul it.
Hauling and you're there and back inside three hours. Driving it will blow the day.
What's that worth to you?
Rod
Roy in georgia
Member
if you do drive it it will prob. be one of the most enjoyable trips and you will see things you have never noticed before. A 15 mile trip was made on one and it proved to be an experience that let us slow down and take a look
In April 2004 I drove a G-1000 Vista MM 300 miles home from Minneapolis,KS.In May 2006 I drove a 6030 JD 250 miles home from Lindsborg,KS.It was the most fun I've ever had and I'd love to do it again.
I averaged nearly 20 mph and got around 5.5 mpg.We blew a front tire on each tractor but they were rotten and we were expecting that.Halfway home I had to change the fuel filters on the MM.The tire wear on either tractor wasnt even noticeable.
We took lesser traveled hiways,black top roads,and gravel roads.We had no close calls at all.A friend was following me in my 1967 Ford Ranger pickup pulling a trailer.One time we hauled home a 101 Massey tractor and the other time a 35 Massey combine.
Here we are stopped for a rest in the beautiful Kansas Flint Hills that wasnt very green in 2006 due to drought.This is an area where people are scarce and cows are plentiful.
Around here its $3.00 plus per loaded mile to get a big tractor hauled.
I averaged nearly 20 mph and got around 5.5 mpg.We blew a front tire on each tractor but they were rotten and we were expecting that.Halfway home I had to change the fuel filters on the MM.The tire wear on either tractor wasnt even noticeable.
We took lesser traveled hiways,black top roads,and gravel roads.We had no close calls at all.A friend was following me in my 1967 Ford Ranger pickup pulling a trailer.One time we hauled home a 101 Massey tractor and the other time a 35 Massey combine.
Here we are stopped for a rest in the beautiful Kansas Flint Hills that wasnt very green in 2006 due to drought.This is an area where people are scarce and cows are plentiful.
Around here its $3.00 plus per loaded mile to get a big tractor hauled.
Been there done that. I prefer to trailer my equipment, unless I can drive the gravel roads in farm country, then I would consider driving the equipment. But not over 30 miles. Too much risk driving a 2 lane blacktop, unless you have an escort. A Massey that size is no big deal to trailer.
$150-$200 is cheap, compared to hassle and saftey risk from cars and trucks..
$150-$200 is cheap, compared to hassle and saftey risk from cars and trucks..
Paul in MN
Well-known Member
Frank,
Where are you buying fuel that cheap? It is going to take at least 2 gallons/hour, plus the gasoline to get you the 65 mile distance to begin the drive, and then somebody has to drive your car home another 65 miles. Depending on what you are driving and the tractor consumption, I think you are looking at about $50 for fuel, and some more $ for hot coffee plus a coffee break $ for your other driver.
We road out tractors often 15 to 20 miles, but had a hydraulic line blow on one we were roading 60 miles. We ended up going back in the dark with truck and trailer, loading, chaining, and driving slow on bad frost heaved roads with hydraulic oil dripping all the way. We couldn't leave it on the side of the road all night for someone to run into. UGH!! That one cost us a lot more than $200 in time, fuel, repairs, tire wear, and indebtedness to a friend who helped us out that night.
Your call....
Paul in MN
Where are you buying fuel that cheap? It is going to take at least 2 gallons/hour, plus the gasoline to get you the 65 mile distance to begin the drive, and then somebody has to drive your car home another 65 miles. Depending on what you are driving and the tractor consumption, I think you are looking at about $50 for fuel, and some more $ for hot coffee plus a coffee break $ for your other driver.
We road out tractors often 15 to 20 miles, but had a hydraulic line blow on one we were roading 60 miles. We ended up going back in the dark with truck and trailer, loading, chaining, and driving slow on bad frost heaved roads with hydraulic oil dripping all the way. We couldn't leave it on the side of the road all night for someone to run into. UGH!! That one cost us a lot more than $200 in time, fuel, repairs, tire wear, and indebtedness to a friend who helped us out that night.
Your call....
Paul in MN
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
put a tow bar and magnetic lights on your truck then use tractor to tow it home.
Our 165 and 285 both get about 20 MPH, so I'd say maybe 4 hours if you have traffic and a bathroom break. $150 doesn't sound too bad, but a little on the high side for just 65 miles. Ends up being $2.31/mile. $1.15 if you consider empty and loaded.
65 miles isn't much if you have time. It would be nice to have the basic tools and maybe a spare tire to put on the front.
Donovan from Wisconsin
65 miles isn't much if you have time. It would be nice to have the basic tools and maybe a spare tire to put on the front.
Donovan from Wisconsin
MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
It depends a lot on the tractor, the terrain and the traffic. 65 miles is no big deal, but I would hesitate to do it with a piece of equipment that I'd just purchased. A tractor breakdown on the road is a huge hassle. That said, long drive through the country at 20 mph can be very pleasant if the weather is fair.
How many miles does one usually drive back and forth in a field in a day ? May as one go in more of a straight line and see the countryside.
I'd be kinda worried with something I just bought as they usually aren't in as good of shape as they first appear and need work done on them.
I'd be kinda worried with something I just bought as they usually aren't in as good of shape as they first appear and need work done on them.
Dean Barker
Member
You will get close to 15 mpg so fuel cost will be less than $11.00. I would stay on gravel or lightly traveled roads. It will be a good test of the kind of tractor that you bought. On our last tractor ride last August, we covered about 400 miles in 5 days. 65 miles is a piece of cake
and you will enjoy it.
and you will enjoy it.
There is a guy here that has farms from the mouth of the Green River to the mouth of the Cumberland River. In the spring it can rain 2" on one end of his spread and sun shine on the other. They will pick up and move from one end to the other several times a week. 65 miles ain't that bad.
Dave
Dave
Curious what tractor you roaded all the way home from Archbold?
For several years I roaded my 46 A with the 41 H on a trailer behind it, from the farm in Montague up to Hart for the tractor pulls,about 18 miles, and once the 5020 from Montague to Fremont fair for tractor pull, about 23 miles.
For several years I roaded my 46 A with the 41 H on a trailer behind it, from the farm in Montague up to Hart for the tractor pulls,about 18 miles, and once the 5020 from Montague to Fremont fair for tractor pull, about 23 miles.
I bought a semi-mount plow at an auction last week. Last monday I drove a tractor 37 miles one way to get it. I had a spare tire and tools along and A cell phone in case of trouble. I had no trouble. I was able to take gravel roads all the way, I was half way home before I met my first vehical.
Brian(MN)
Brian(MN)
Youngfarmhand
Member
I've gone from Archbold to Bryan a couple of times
dave guest
Well-known Member
Did 40 miles 2 times. Was extremely nice ride in summer of course. You learn lots of new words from drivers behind you. Don't forget the triangle. Every time one of them old tractors hiccups, you'll need new underwear.
Alan Golden
Member
Decorate with a flag and such and make a 1-man parade out of it!
Mark - IN.
Well-known Member
I agree. Rode an AC D15 about 10 miles home for a neighbor after he'd just bought it last spring. My concern was breaking down after settin in the barn all winter. It didn't though. They aint got much of a road gear, but I didn't want to push it so much though and took my time. Wasn't so bad on that old gasser. Then again, last winter rode my open cabbed 4520 Deere up to the Deere guy on what must've been the coldest day of the winter and was only about 5 miles. Had to stop a couple of times to climb into the pickup to thaw out. By the time I got there had icicles hangin from my mustache and my face was frozen stiff and them guys were laughin at me, but I got 'er there. Bought me a better hat, one with ear flaps when I was there too. Looks kind of stupid, but keeps the ears warm. Ski goggles, stupid lookin hat with earflaps, thick gloves and a carhardt..."Come on family, so we're not late for church".
I remember reading the Laura Ingles Wilder books when I was a kid, and in one of the books, "The Long Winter" when they lived in Minnesota, they put freshly baked potatos in their pockets to keep their hands warm for them cold winter wagon rides. "Come on family, so we're not late for church".
Mark
I remember reading the Laura Ingles Wilder books when I was a kid, and in one of the books, "The Long Winter" when they lived in Minnesota, they put freshly baked potatos in their pockets to keep their hands warm for them cold winter wagon rides. "Come on family, so we're not late for church".
Mark
Goose
Well-known Member
I drove an 856 Farmall 60 miles once. I mostly cut across country on gravel roads. Took around three hours.
I drove a John Deere 105 combine 50 miles, also. I scouted the route ahead of time to make sure there weren't any bridges I couldn't handle. Combines are slower so that took about 4 hours. And if I'd had any sense, I'd have left the ------------thing where it was. I bought the 105 to replace a 55. It took about two hours in the field to figure out I'd gotten rid of a better combine than I'd bought.
I drove a John Deere 105 combine 50 miles, also. I scouted the route ahead of time to make sure there weren't any bridges I couldn't handle. Combines are slower so that took about 4 hours. And if I'd had any sense, I'd have left the ------------thing where it was. I bought the 105 to replace a 55. It took about two hours in the field to figure out I'd gotten rid of a better combine than I'd bought.
Got a customer and one of his buddies that drove two 980B CAT wheel loaders from Kings Mountain, NC up to Chapel Hill, NC, a distance of probably 140 miles or so. he couldn't find anybody that wanted to haul them for him so he left early one morning, drove down to the machines and they drove them straight up Interstate 85 to Highway 64 and cut cross country from there. He said they has several Highway Patrol cars cruise by and look as they went up the interstate but that all the officers had looks on their faces like they wanted to stop them but really weren't sure how to do it...or maybe just what to do if they decided not to stop, take your pick. Either way he said the looks on their faces was rather comical.
Bill in Colo
Member
- Location
- Rio Blanco County, Co
A friend of mine drove his maintainer and pulled a sheep camp from Eurekan,Nevada to Maybell, Co witch is a little over 600 mile.made it in Three days
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
Got a MM UB Special LPG that we've put over 2,000 miles on in tractor rides. The tires show very little wear and get about 6-8 miles per gallon. It 's alot of fun and you meet some nice people.
Similar threads
We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.
Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.
Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy