How far would you drive a tractor?

[RjCorazza]

I don't like chase vehicles either. They limit my choices of when and where to pull over, in addition to the increased passing distance. I can swing my tractor in a standard driveway apron, whereas a chase vehicle would still be in the roadway.

An important issue not yet mentioned is that smv traffic should be entirely in the traffic lane. At least in my state, a tractor partially on the shoulder will be charged in an accident if struck.

 

[ljjhouser]

WOW bdog! I find that terrific - 110 miles on a tractor - kinda like leaving on a vacation on the tractor. GREAT Picture! How long did that trip take?
FUDDY, I probably might maybe on a rare occasion. But otherwise - probably not. I am not concerned about what the tractor might run into, but in todays world of texting and driving, any idiot can make a disaster. Find a friend who has a GOOD trailer and work out transporting the tractor and maybe picking it up the next day to take it home. I spent a fair amount of money on a Doolittle Tilt bed 20' equipment trailer. Most trailers sit outside unused much of the time. i am always delighted to help a neighbor with the equipment I have as long as it is legal and safe.
NOW - used trailers are non-existent around here, and probably the same there. if you can find a good used trailer or very good deal on a new trailer, you will most likely be able to sell it in 3-5 years for what you put into it. My trailer is a 2017 and looks almost like new. It doesn't take much of an accident on the highway to cost a lot. Remember, cars have collision and liability insurance (well, as least liability to be legal). Might see what insurance could help (and highway minimum speeds). A lot to think about. Stay safe, best wishes, Larry

 

[bdog]

It was about 7 hours driving back in the tractor. Luckily for me it had AC and a radio.

 

[Fuddy1952]

WOW bdog! I find that terrific - 110 miles on a tractor - kinda like leaving on a vacation on the tractor. GREAT Picture! How long did that trip take?
FUDDY, I probably might maybe on a rare occasion. But otherwise - probably not. I am not concerned about what the tractor might run into, but in todays world of texting and driving, any idiot can make a disaster. Find a friend who has a GOOD trailer and work out transporting the tractor and maybe picking it up the next day to take it home. I spent a fair amount of money on a Doolittle Tilt bed 20' equipment trailer. Most trailers sit outside unused much of the time. i am always delighted to help a neighbor with the equipment I have as long as it is legal and safe.
NOW - used trailers are non-existent around here, and probably the same there. if you can find a good used trailer or very good deal on a new trailer, you will most likely be able to sell it in 3-5 years for what you put into it. My trailer is a 2017 and looks almost like new. It doesn't take much of an accident on the highway to cost a lot. Remember, cars have collision and liability insurance (well, as least liability to be legal). Might see what insurance could help (and highway minimum speeds). A lot to think about. Stay safe, best wishes, Larry

Thanks...but read #54

 

[Fuddy1952]

Great 1999 movie..."The Straight Story"

 

[Handloader109]

Unless you are in a non farming enclave, get on the dang thing and go. Tractors on the road is a very common thing here in Arkansas, and all the way to Mississippi. Heck this time a year, south Arkansas and Louisiana have more tractors on the road than cars. (not really, but it seems that way) and 4 lane highway (not interstate) is great. way better than 2 lane. usually plenty of passing lane.... flashers, triangle sign and go. if chase vehicle make sure they somewhat know what they are doing too.

 

[wolc123]

The only reason I had a chase vehicle, when I drove the old Allis Chalmers 7 miles on the road to the dealer last year, was that I wasn't sure that I could get it there under it's own power. My wife followed with the pickup and a chain just in case. Plus, she gave me a ride home.

Road tractor driving isn't too bad in our part of town, because it is fairly rural and there is not much traffic. One time I drove about 10 miles into the adjacent town, which is closer to a big city and much more developed. I picked up a hay wagon load of old farm equipment from a friend over there.

I made that trip early on a Saturday morning, when the traffic wasn't too bad. I had no chase vehicle, a triangle on the back of the wagon, and the flashers on on the tractor. That wasnt bad at all, but I never would have done it in times of high traffic.

 

[ArlyA]

Furthest I've gone is 20+ miles.

 

[Wagtail]

I don't have a problem driving my 4105 on the road to get to a 'local' job/task... and the 2-lane road in front of my property is zoned 100kph.
However, it's the State's regulations that limits the distance I can drive it away from "where it is garaged". Legally, as long as I'm within a 15 kilometre radius (as the crow flies), then I don't have to register my tractor (plate). Over the 15km radius (or if I use the tractor as a commercial), then the State Gov wants $... mind you, that also includes comprehensive insurance.

I can float (trailer) the tractor to a destination over 15km away and that destination then becomes its new "garage" for the purpose of the work I'm doing.

The expense of 'plating' my tractor just isn't worth it.

I have never seen a constable 'pull over' a tractor for simply driving on a public road.

I have probably driven over 15km away... but I blame the bloody crow that I was following.

 

[MHarryE]

My major concern is insurance. I have farm insurance so mine go where there are fields to work in, up to 50 miles, and through a city. I have lots of lights plus the SMV. my 4 lane portion, about 25 miles, is best because although I’m not supposed to drive on the shoulder, I do, especially if there is a lot of traffic. I dislike chase cars. They block my SMV and part of my rear lights (I think I have 8 not including implement). They also make it difficult for me to spot upcoming traffic in my mirrors. And the measles emergency flashers on a pickup are not seen like the light on my tractor. My worst problem is narrow county roads where people seeing me with a combine with 25’ header and stop making me maneuver around them. When I see you, I’ll find a place I can pull over and let you snake past me with lots of room. I have waited for over a minute for someone to realize I’m not going to move until they come past me. And I carry a statement from the highway patrol saying I’m legal because we had a neighbor stopped by the HP and written up for too slow and over width. So the farmers in our state got together and demanded the HP be trained in the law for ag equipment and sent letters to us to copy and distribute.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Im almost in Texas. Had a dirt job. Had to wait a few days while they drove the tractor from Florida. City and county tractors run the roads all day. Make sure your lights work and you have the SMV placard.

 

[RandyT]

My major concern is insurance. I have farm insurance so mine go where there are fields to work in, up to 50 miles, and through a city. I have lots of lights plus the SMV. my 4 lane portion, about 25 miles, is best because although I’m not supposed to drive on the shoulder, I do, especially if there is a lot of traffic. I dislike chase cars. They block my SMV and part of my rear lights (I think I have 8 not including implement). They also make it difficult for me to spot upcoming traffic in my mirrors. And the measles emergency flashers on a pickup are not seen like the light on my tractor. My worst problem is narrow county roads where people seeing me with a combine with 25’ header and stop making me maneuver around them. When I see you, I’ll find a place I can pull over and let you snake past me with lots of room. I have waited for over a minute for someone to realize I’m not going to move until they come past me. And I carry a statement from the highway patrol saying I’m legal because we had a neighbor stopped by the HP and written up for too slow and over width. So the farmers in our state got together and demanded the HP be trained in the law for ag equipment and sent letters to us to copy and distribute.

The people that don't know how to act around farm machinery would love to meet or get stuck behind Mike Mitchell and his family. JD quad track, air seeder and 1300 bushel grain cart configuration with a transport width of 27 feet.

 

[billfires]

35 years ago I traveled 3 miles with a Wheel Horse tractor with a 4' landscape rake to get to my BIL's. The top speed was 5.5 mph (per specs). I only had the headlights and no SMV emblem. I drove on the shoulder on the busiest road in our small town. The police passed me twice and just waved. The return trip was with much heavier commuting traffic. Survived but probably not the wisest thing I've done, sometimes you have to just get the job done. Bill C

 

[5030]

Being a farmer, my insurance covers my units on the farm and to and from my rented land.

 

[scaredychicken]

4 lane Hwy ? - not a chance. way less stress for you and all traffic to use a truck and or trailer.

I'm pretty redneck, but not THAT MUCH Redneck



(I like 3Ts suggestion - response # 10)

 

[mark in portugal]

I met a guy in Portugal who came all the way from Germany on a 1950's Hanomag tractor, towing a large gypsy wagon that was made to be pulled by horses.

The tractor had no cabin.

I don't know if he was already nuts when he left Germany, or the sun did it to him on the way.

He said it took 3 months, but he wasn't in a hurry.

I've driven my tractor 20 miles on local roads, and around town a few times. It's normal in agricultural areas everywhere.
But you really should be street legal and insured (I am).

 

[5030]

Just got done cutting my leased hay fields, 22 mile round trip towing my disc cutter. Some paved toads, some dirt. 4 ways on. SMV placards and a flashing strobe on top the cab. I don't even hurry, about 12 mph. I like being nosey.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

One other consideration is insurance. If the tractor is covered under a standard homeowners policy, then coverage only applies to incidents on your land. My agent told me
to keep it on my land so driving anywhere else is off the table for me. Yours may be different but wanted to bring it up.

If your state gives farm vehicles the right of way, then they should have uninsured motorist. I drive tractors, log skidders, log loaders, skid steers on the regular. Go clean up some of these hurricanes.

 

[Cougsfan]

This reminds me of a movie I saw years back about some old guy who lived by himself lost his driver's license because of his age and health. He wanted to visit his daughter on the other side of the State so he made a trailer for his lawn tractor, loaded it with gear and took off, having adventures and challenges along the way. Was a good movie but I don't remember the name of it.

 

[Fuddy1952]

This reminds me of a movie I saw years back about some old guy who lived by himself lost his driver's license because of his age and health. He wanted to visit his daughter on the other side of the State so he made a trailer for his lawn tractor, loaded it with gear and took off, having adventures and challenges along the way. Was a good movie but I don't remember the name of it.

Straight Story?