12 miles on the road?

[AMR]

My 50 hour service is approaching, I have 34 hours on my BX23. The nearest dealer is 12 miles away on paved roads, fairly hilly. To pick up and drop-off the machine is $180. Can I save the $ by simply driving it back and forth? Is this too far and too much wear and tear to save a pretty good chunk of change? I believe that top speed is 8 MPH, but I will go at 1/2 throttle say I average 4 MPH, that is 6 hours of driving.

 

[Egon]

I have taken My Kubota B7100 HST six or seven miles on the highway with no problems.

Don't think you should have any problems. Two wheel drive and I'd run it at almost full throttle.

For $180.00 wouldn't think twice about driving it there.

As an added benefit you will get to see lots on the drive due to slow speed.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tawilson]

You have to pay for the service, don't you? If so, why not buy the filters and fluids and do it yourself? I've got a Kubota ZD28 ZTR with about the same hours and that's what I"m doing. It won't affect your warranty. If that's not feasible, can't you pay the dealer to make a service call? Or maybe you can find a loose nut so the dealer has to pick it up under warranty. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif I know I didn't answer your question, I'm just throwing a couple of alternatives at you. As for your question, I'd do it but I'd go faster than 4 mph.

 

[KubotaSteve]

Have you thought about doing the 50 hour service yourself to save even more money and time. It really isn't that hard. I would do that before I would drive the tractor 12 miles each way. If you run into any problems along the way, TBN is only a post away. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Good luck and be careful if you decide to drive it to the dealer.

 

[Bird]

It was 7.75 miles from my place to my brother's place and I drove both my B7100 and my B2710 there and back numerous times. And I ran full throttle on the road. I wouldn't be concerned about the wear on the tractor at all. My only concern was watching for traffic (usually saw 1 to 4 vehicles on the trip and of course it was an area with 55 mph speed limits, but also an area where people were accustomed to seeing tractors on the road). That was the reason I put a rear view mirror on the B2710.

 

[DmansPadge]

If you do it I would run at or near full throttle. Like Bird mentioned, it's not going to hurt the tractor, and it'll get you there a lot quicker. Keep it in 2WD and be careful. The only bad thing I see is that pavement can be pretty hard on your tires... R1's in particular.

 

[GeneD14]

I would recommend doing the 50 hour service yourself. If you have ever changed oil in a vehicle, it should be a sinch. If you are thinking about having the dealer do it, I wouldn't hesitate driving it. Wear and tear is minimal, there is very little load on the engine and assuming that you keep it in 2wd tire wear shouldn't be an issue.
Keep the throttle wide open(the slower you go the more of a hazard you become), lights on, and have some one follow you in a car with it's hazard lights on for safety.
A few years ago I drove my antique Allis Chalmers 105 miles in a tractor caravan with a group of other tractor nuts and we had a ball!
Here is a link with the story of the ride:

http://www.ytmag.com/articles/artint147.htm

 

[Boondox]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I would recommend doing the 50 hour service yourself. If you have ever changed oil in a vehicle, it should be a sinch. If you are thinking about having the dealer do it, I wouldn't hesitate driving it. Wear and tear is minimal, there is very little load on the engine and assuming that you keep it in 2wd tire wear shouldn't be an issue.
Keep the throttle wide open(the slower you go the more of a hazard you become), lights on, and have some one follow you in a car with it's hazard lights on for safety.
A few years ago I drove my antique Allis Chalmers 105 miles in a tractor caravan with a group of other tractor nuts and we had a ball!
Here is a link with the story of the ride:

http://www.ytmag.com/articles/artint147.htm )</font>

What's that do to your warranty? Most dealers around here take the 50 hour service pretty seriously. They have no problem with others, but that initial service is their chance to catch oversights.

Pete

 

[RonR]

Agree that driving it won't hurt, but gee, your time is worth something--even seat time!

I drove my BX2200 to a job about 2 miles away (In town--30MPH speed limit). Figured it would be faster than getting my trailer out of the back yard, loading up, unloading, and putting the trailer back in its spot.

I didn't have any issues with the drive, but I won't do it again. Driving didn't put any load on the engine (or very little). It was loud and BORING and I was worried about being rear ended. Had the lights on, the SMV, and flashers. Still worried about it.

And had my unit broken down or I need something else at the job site, I had no wheels to get home.....................

I'd not pay the $180, but if I had a tow vehicle, I'd spring for a trailer. My new one (5x14ft) was <$1K. A used one might be $600-800. And you'd have one for the next trip or for hauling other stuff.

Edit: After re-reading your post--if it's very hilly, no way would I drive it! Even with your SMV and flashers, if the timing is just wrong and someone not paying attention tops a hill just after you've gone out of his sight, a couple of seconds lapse and he's hit you. Granted, it would likely be "his fault", but you and your tractor might be the dead ones........... Not worth it at all in this scenario. Borrow, rent, buy a trailer, or find someone to haul it. If they are moving 50-70MPH and you are moving 6-8 MPH, the closing time is almost NOTHING!

My two cents.
ron

 

[tawilson]

If you decide to drive, make sure to put your safety triangle on.

 

[sonofczechgun]

On Christmas day the church asked for some straw for the nativity scene - I hooked up the trailer from my jeep to Jed (Kubota B1750), loaded straw, all the kids and an airedale and we took it to the church together. It was fun - 3 miles one way on local virginia roads - but it got bit boring on the end, at least for me. Kids loved it and so did the dog.

 

[Freds]

I agree with RonR. My time and the stress it would cause, me - not the tractor, isn't worth saving $180, but I would look for another dealer. The place I got my tractor is more than 12 miles away and they charge $35. At least they did a year ago, I'm sure it's gone up a little. They schedule it with other drop offs or pick ups so they aren't making a special trip just for me.
Is around $180 the norm for such a short distance?

 

[AMR]

Thanks all for your thoughts on this!

When I was in high school I used to drive tractors on a tobaco farm, we used to have Farmall Super H's, H's, M's, A's, Super A's, and we used to drive all around town bringing rigs to barns, what a great time. Yes, even that got boring as a 13 year old, though.

I have not decided on the trip. I will probably do it once and never again!

I will let you all know.

I have an eye out for a trailer right now too.

 

[RobertN]

I've moved my B8200 about 4 miles, down to the fire station to help out. I ran it in 2wd, made sure my hazards were working and SMV plaque was clearly visible. Then I ran it up to PTO speed, and rolled right along.

My biggest fear was not anything with the tractor. I was primarily concerned about other motorists...

 

[AntrimMan]

The wear and tear will be minimal.
But do get your ducks lined up.
Can you carry enough fuel?
Do you need to be registered?
What about insurance?
How many lawyers are in Western CT?

I would leave very early AM on Monday morning planning to arrive at the dealer around 6AM to avoid most traffic and have a ride home meet me there.

Sounds exciting.

All the best,
Martin

 

[B8FISH]

I would say go for it. Definitely not at 1/2 throttle, but at full throttle. Stop for coffee about a 1/3 of the way (if possible), take another "bio" break at the 2/3 mark and then mosey on the rest of the way. If you leave at 49 hours on the clock--you'll be right on schedule /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I would also toss my bike in the front bucket, and get some "real" exercise out of the deal on the way home /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Berniep]

If ya just gotta go to the dealer then I would drive it. Except 180 bucks sound like the total bill for pickup and 50 hour service. Gee wiz thats a bunch of money just to go 12 miles( ok 48 total miles for the dealer to pickup and deliver but thats still 3.75 a mile. He ought to be pullin it with a real nice drop deck and a big ole Peterbuilt)
When I asked my dealer about them doing the 50 hour service on my BX23 he looked at me like I was nuts. I did it myself and its actually very simple. I even cheated a little and didn't take engine cowling all the way off so I wouldn't have to remove the brush guard. The hardest part was getting the tranny fluid back in without spilling it. But that was just lack of preperation in not having a funnel with a hose on it.

 

[cheesehead]

Order a manual, fluids and the filters from TractorSmart. The service can be accomplished for less than the transportation charges, and you'll know your tractor better because of it. Besides that, you can do the service when you are ready and have the tractor back when you need it.

 

[midlf]

It will take you less time to do the 50hr than to get the tractor in for it at the dealer.

 

[JerryG]

Do the service yourself. That way you will become more familiar with your tractor. I am sure that there is a thread here that tells how to do it, if you do a search. If there isn’t, there are members here that will give you knowledgeable support with any problem that you might encounter.

If you do drive, other motorists are the problem. Leave in time to get there before morning traffic or leave after morning rush. Put your safety placard on the back, turn your flashers on and I would also suggest getting one of those inexpensive amber revolving lights. People in cars will come around corners and such then come close to hitting you if you’re not lucky. I have driven my tractor to the dealer two or three times and other people scare me. I trailer mine now.