Picking up my new tractor

[3Lfarms]

Tomorrow I am going to pick up my new 6168CPS with FEL and backhoe. I am renting a 25ft gooseneck trailer and making the 2.5 hour drive up to Idaho.
What should I expect and/or request the dealer show me prior to loading it up? Should we go as far as taking the FEL and BH off and putting them back on?
I will be buying my own trailer in a couple months, but I wanted to "test drive" a rental to see if I liked it. I have four 20' 5/16" chains and 4 load binders, and a few 8k ratchet straps, so I think I'm OK there.
Any advice or things I should check on?

 

[katoomed00]

I wouldn't take anything off, strap it down good and go. Also the dealer should be able to help you out as well. IMO

 

[nybirdman]

I think he was referring to "practice" taking the FEL and BH off;not to transport.Congrats on the new tractor.

 

[katoomed00]

Not the first time I misunderstood what someone was talking about, just ask the wife, LOL

I think he was referring to "practice" taking the FEL and BH off;not to transport.Congrats on the new tractor.

 

[3Lfarms]

On its way home.

 

[downs807]

That's a pretty decent load for a bumper pull. What happened to the gooseneck trailer you were gonna use? Nonetheless good looking tractor

 

[3Lfarms]

I originally tried to reserve this tilt deck trailer, but it was already reserved, so I reserved the gooseneck instead. When I went to pick it up, this one had been returned a day early, so I took it instead and saved $40 vs the gooseneck. This was a 20ft 14k lb trailer and I am planning on buying one similar, so I wanted to take it for a test drive to see if I liked it. The dually with the 16k lb class 5 hitch plus this combo like dream.

 

[3Lfarms]

Once I do some checks and play with it a bit, I will make a video since info or reviews online about this model are few and far between. This is also the first one I've ever even seen with the backhoe on it.
A couple nice surprises were waiting for me on this 2017 machine. When ordered with the backhoe, the third remote comes installed with a detented valve for the hoe. That alone was like a 12 option on the older machines.
Second, there is an raise/lower control lever at the back for the 3 point. I don't know if it is unique to the cab model or not, but the 2016 I test drove didn't have it.
There are also FEL lift cylinder safety stops on top of the loader arms that are held on by a knob for easy access when needed to work on the engine. Thus far, I am super pleased with this machine.

 

[PJSprog]

Congrats. Good-looking tractor.

The outside 3-point control is relatively new. We got ours in September, and it wasn't available then. Seems like it started popping up near the end of last year. I still need to get with my dealer to see if I can add that. Would be very handy with the cab.

 

[rgr33]

That s a sweet looking rig. Well done!

 

[sw99]

I'm jealous!!! I need a bigger tractor...

 

[jolson1865]

How are you liking the XU6168? This is the one that I am looking at for my hobby farm. Any issues?

 

[3Lfarms]

I only have 13 hours on it so far, but no problems at all. I really like it.
I filled the rear tires with windshield washer fluid. That added about 900lbs and makes it much more stable when using the loader.
The three point control lever on the back is a godsend. I don't know how I'd live without it.

 

[jolson1865]

Thanks for the update. Looking forward to getting my hands on one for a test drive.

 

[3Lfarms]

Very few dealers will have one in stock. The dealer I bought from actually took me to another customer's place and I test drove his machine.

Another fun fact: My tractor was shipped to my dealer in a refrigerated trailer with three other machines. It arrived clean and shiny.

 

[robertsa]

Good looking machine!

What are you hauling it with? Are you using a weight distributing hitch? If not, look at the tag on the side of your hitch; you're likely exceeding the rated capacity of it. Don't mean to be a stick in the mud, I'd just hate to see an accident caused by something as simple as a lack of safety equipment.

 

[3Lfarms]

Thanks for looking out. That trailer was a rental Walton 14k tilt deck. I was thinking about buying one. I wanted to see how it went and see if I wanted a 20 or 22 foot model.
My truck is a Ram 3500 dually and has a 16k B&W class 5 hitch. The stinger is rated at 16k and the ball at 20k.
Tractor weighs 5121 according to LS. The loader weighs 1300 and the backhoe a little over 1200 according to the owners manuals.
So as pictured, total weight including the trailer should be about 10,500.

It's all pretty much moot anyway as I am planning on buying a dual tandem gooseneck. It won't be as easy to load as the tilt deck, but it will haul anything I want.