John Deere 332 question

[toyotadriver]

I'm going to look at a John Deere 332 to possibly buy next weekend. If I buy it, I have to transport it back home....about 170 miles. I don't own a trailer so I'll either have to rent/borrow one or put it in the back of my pickup. I would prefer to transport it in the back of the pickup but don't know if it will fit.

My pickup is a Toyota T100. I know that I would have to transport it with the tailgate down and I'm sure I'll have to remove the deck. The seller tells me that the deck is a 46 inch deck.

Anyone transport these type of mowers (318,322, 332) in the back of a pickup?

Thanks.

 

[BigEddy]

I had my 322 in the back of my Mazda truck twice. It fit in the 8' box - but I was probably overloaded. You have to remove the deck to clear the wheel wells. It fits fine in the 8' box of my F150 (deck off). Getting in and out is a different story. Luckily I have a convenient bank to back up to.

I don't think I'd want to transport one any distance in a short-box if the wheels were resting on the tail gate. That's too much weight for the tail-gate straps.

I suggest a trailer - and a good solid one at that.

 

[KENSFM]

I also would recommend that you use a trailer, getting it in and out of a pickup box is not really a safe thing to do.
I have a 332, they are great little tractors and very fuel efficient.
Good luck, let us know if you buy it.
Ken