How far would you drive a tractor?

[bdog]

Serious question how were the temps because that looks pretty dang hot leading me to believe the pavement would be hot, part 2 how did the tires look?

Being that it was ten years ago I don’t remember exactly but I do recall it being hot and I was glad the AC worked. Looking at the date on the picture it was in May so I would guess 90s for sure. It didn’t hurt the tires at all or at least not that I could tell.

 

[The Lazy Dog]

I have a John Deere 3038. My 94 yo Mom lives 15 miles away, most of it is moderately heavy traffic (about 5-6m. heavy 4 lane traffic). I don't have a trailer (don't want to rent truck&trailer, rather pay someone to do the work). I have a bush hog, she has about 15 acres really needing cut. 3 ft. pines growing all over it).
Top speed is about 12-13mph. Would you drive it over there?
If all back roads or 5 miles I'd do it without question.

I’ve moved my machine probably within 20 miles within my house. Mostly on back roads but a few times on busier roads. On the busy roads I had the wife follow behind me with her hazards lights on.

is it possible to move it at night when the traffic is at it’s lightest? I would still have someone follow you.

 

[Jstpssng]

When I first bought my tractor I ran it 17 miles from the place I was renting to the place I was building, and am living on now. I left at 5:30 on a Sunday morning and encountered virtually no traffic. Since then I ran it 5 miles back and forth to plow a place on the lake I was using; always on a Sunday when the trucks generally aren't rolling.

My tractor is on my commercial auto policy, with the same 250/500 liability insurance I run on my pickup.

 

[RancherGuy]

I have a John Deere 3038. My 94 yo Mom lives 15 miles away, most of it is moderately heavy traffic (about 5-6m. heavy 4 lane traffic). I don't have a trailer (don't want to rent truck&trailer, rather pay someone to do the work). I have a bush hog, she has about 15 acres really needing cut. 3 ft. pines growing all over it).
Top speed is about 12-13mph. Would you drive it over there?
If all back roads or 5 miles I'd do it without question.

Here are suggestions.

First, if you can borrow a trailer, do so, Your tractor is small enough for nearly anything with 2 axles.

Second, try traveling during an "off" day and/or hour. Sundays may be the best travel time.

Third, if you drive it, ensure your tractor flashers and headlights are working.

Fourth, if you drive it, use a following chase vehicle. Be SURE to add a SMV sign, plus a flashing light on top of the chase. Follow reasonably close, but not unsafely, to the tractor so that a passing vehicle can do both at once and the distance is minimal. At your slow speed passing time will be minimal anyway - just don't force a passing vehicle to pull between the two of you because spacing is so great.

Comment: I have no idea why anyone would not recommend a chase vehicle with something traveling less than 15 mph. I add the following note. I once hired a huge tractor & double scraper combo to do some work for me. The monster was 16 feet wide and as tall as a semi. He told me he has traveled more than 500 miles at a time on highways with it - all at 19 mph max. He told me that he used to have a flasher on his tractor and would travel alone. But on a whim, once he had his dad follow him in a pickup with a flashing light on the roof of the pickup. He said the response by passing vehicles was so much better that this became the only way he would travel.

 

[two_bit_score]

There are two parts to the insurance issue. The physical damage to the tractor itself and the Liability to any third party for property damage and bodily injury.

If someone is seriously injured running into your tractor, it's very likely that you will be sued.

 

[crazyal]

I've done it with my backhoe and found that at 4am on a Sunday morning there's not much traffic. By then the drunks leaving the bars have cleared the roads and the only people out are the ones who have a job they are going to. Flashers and lights also can be seen better at dawn/ dusk than the middle of the day.

 

[oosik]

Around here - hube2 - that night time driver would have been dead YEARS ago. The speed limit on our county road - 45mph. If I'm not going, at least, 60mph - I can feel the vortex they create as they zoom past me. So you can imagine what it's like as I putt along at 45.

Two year ago on our county road. State police car just ahead of me. In my rear view mirror I recognize a local yokel. He comes past me and the State police car like we are in pedal cars. To top it all off - about 100 feet further down the road the passenger throws a beer bottle out of the car.

Man 'O man - on comes the multi color light bar and the siren. I slow down because I HAVE to see this to its end. Surprisingly, the chase went on for about two miles. Speeding vehicle finally stops - both driver and passenger - face down on the asphalt and hand cuffed.

I almost honked & cheered as I slowly drove past. One for the good guys - 99 still doing the same old thing.

 

[ssgp2]

Many years ago, before we married, my wifes dad delivered a tractor, pulling his P/U behind, from Lonoke,Ar. to Strawn, Tx.

 

[crashz]

Just a thought, but towing company's may be pretty reasonable with their roll-back trucks. Always a good option to more smaller machines.

 

[Dmacleo]

won't go 12-13 hauling a bush hog.
even still do not do it.
good way to die.

 

[WranglerX]

How far is it to nearest IN & OUT burger joint?....

 

[Thomas]

I wouldn't try during heavy traffic after seeing how some these knot heads drive now adays.

 

[ptsg]

I see no problem on driving a tractor on the road. Today, I saw at least 20 tractors on the road on a simple 65 km trip, and I got "stuck" behind a couple of them too, no big deal though. Saw a couple 25 hp tractors, a bunch of 30 to 60HP and some bigger 120 HP+ tractors, mostly loggers pulling the logging trailer, some empty, some full. Other with the brush mowers, being that's mowing season now.

However, I do understand that this be more of a problem in the US than Europe because of the citiots. We have them too, although, very very rare. People are usually very conscientious and respectful.

Just make sure you're visible. Plenty of flashing lights and SMV sign.

Before I got the pickup truck, I used to just drive my tractor to the pet food store to buy crushed corn and a couple bales of hay for the goats and chickens. I do enjoy driving the tractor on the road.

 

[Fuddy1952]

All's well!
One part of the property borders a large Orange tractor dealership. It works out since they can test equipment and bush hog off hours as well.
I didn't want to ask them, but turns out they're happy to do it.

 

[Cleancut]

Well, 35 years ago this is, my Dad was driving his combine (no header) between farms which were 50 miles apart, and a drunk shoveled into his back at 65 mph. This was a divided highway. Totaled the combine, and if the chopper had been on, the guy would have been decapitated. He came out with only a broken leg. Having said that, I've driven a tractor down there many times. I could talk of near misses with idiot truck drivers. If you can use only the shoulder and keep your head on a swivel, or a good side mirror, go for it. Be ready for the 1 idiot.

 

[Fuddy1952]

All's well.
Here I sometimes drive on road getting to the far gate, but only about 1/4 mile and a car every 5 minutes.
If I could have driven all back roads, 15 m. each way no question I'd do it. No way doing that unfortunately.
My neighbor has two large trailers and Mom's property on another side borders a fellow who has a towing business...several roll-backs, etc. I hate asking people though.

 

[wolc123]

I drove my old 1942 Allis Chalmers C to a dealer location, about 7 miles away, last summer. I had purchased a new bush hog from his main location (about 50 miles away) and he took the tractor in trade.

The old C quit running twice on the ride and I had to get off and crank start it. It had a tricycle front, and if I went more than 1/2 throttle in high (3rd) gear, it began to shimmy uncontrollably. I had to keep it choked about half way for most of the ride to keep it running.

I am glad that it was a one way ride, and that the dealer did the swap at the close location.

 

[stuart b]

I have a John Deere 3038. My 94 yo Mom lives 15 miles away, most of it is moderately heavy traffic (about 5-6m. heavy 4 lane traffic). I don't have a trailer (don't want to rent truck&trailer, rather pay someone to do the work). I have a bush hog, she has about 15 acres really needing cut. 3 ft. pines growing all over it).
Top speed is about 12-13mph. Would you drive it over there?
If all back roads or 5 miles I'd do it without question.

hi mate further est i have driven on the rd was 120 miles with a car going by at least every half hour so was pretty busy but i reckon you would be ok cheers

 

[g8erh8er]

I’ve driven twice to and from my dealer who is 11 miles away. Heavy traffic during daylight hours. I drive their beforehand in my vehicle and leave it there overnight (someone else takes me home of course), then I leave in the tractor around 4-5 am on a Sunday morning. No one on the roads at that time.

 

[CobyRupert]

The only benefit to a chase vehicle is if it gets involved in an accident, it has insurance on the public highway, whereas the tractor might not off your property.
Other than than it adds danger when impatient drivers pass both vehicles. Yes, yes, they shouldn’t, but people are idiots and they will. A chase vehicle hangs them out into oncoming traffic lane 4 times as long, 4 times as dangerous.
Additionally, the extended passing distance is more likely to make timid drivers hold back from passing and more quickly increases the number of cars that are stacking up behind the slow vehicle.
This makes it even more dangerous when Mr. Impatient driver fines a clear stretch and wants to pass the whole line;
or it creates the condition where the whole line tries to pass the slow vehicle at the first (and sometimes limited) opportunity and the car at the back of the line puts on the squeeze play with oncoming traffic trying not to be left behind.
Imho, keeping passing distances required to a minimum outweighs any perceived benefits of a chase vehicle.