Newbie Question--Getting your tractor around...

adegiulio · May 30, 2003

I'm soaking in as much info on this site as possible. Having never owned a tractor, I have a question about getting the tractor where it needs to go. Do people trailer it to the dealers for service, or just ride it there (assuming its close enough). To fuel it up, do people ride to the station, trailer it to the station, or just get big deisel cans? Is a trailer required equipment for tractor ownership?? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Thanks

icat · May 30, 2003

I feel driving on the roads is dangerous enough without the tractors. So unless you're just right down the street I'd recommend trailering the unit. My dealer is 75 miles from the property, and the closest dealer is 45 miles. Might take me two days to drive there by tractor! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Buying a trailer will depend on your actual needs. You'll need to cost justify the expense by determining how often you would need to trailer the unit vs. the cost of renting a trailer only when needed. Some dealers will let you "borrow" the trailer, and some will come to you to perform service work. Others will pick up for a fee, and some (local I'd assume) will pick up for free. I'm interested in a trailer for my new tractor, but I'm looking to use it for other needs as well.

As for Gas or Diesel - most just fill up a can and refill from it at the property.

tdenny · May 30, 2003

I'd have to agree. I don't have a trailer yet but my neighbor said I could use his. I hope to get my own in the somewhat near future but just a hint - if your friends and relatives know that you can trailer your tractor anywhere they might just come out of the woodwork asking for help. This may or may not be a bad thing depending on how you look at it. As far as diesel goes I have a 15 gallon poly tank that I use to store fuel and a pump that goes with it. this is a decent size and cuts down trips to the gas station. 5 gallon cans would also get it done as long as your tank is in a good place. Good luck.

popeye · May 30, 2003

I trailer mine to and from the property, about 20 miles. The reason for it is my uncle has grown rather fond of it over his F5600. It is also a safe place to keep it until the house can be built and a proper gate, a shed and made a little more secure. It cuts down on my seat time per day but I've gotten used to the routine and it's not that much trouble anymore. The dealer is also about 20 mi. away and will pick it up or I can take it over there. I would not drive it unless I had to. When I was about 14 I would drive my other uncles Super C to the shop about 10 mi. and didn't have any problems but seems hard on the tires to me and trailers are pretty easy to borrow or rent.

Mike

frank_f15 · May 30, 2003

don't really know what u want to do with the tractor? if it ijust for your own use , a trailer is not required. also just get a few cans for diesel(properly marked) and use them you really won't need that much, depending on your usage. when i absolutly have to take the tractor in for repairs i will just drive it(never had to do it yet) and it is only 3 miles on country roads, where farm tractors are seen all the time. i would not invest in a trailer unlees you absolutly need one.

MossRoad · May 30, 2003

We only bought a trailer because we have some property several miles away that we maintain several times a year and we do some volunteer work at church and the Little League. If it weren't for that, we wouldn't have the trailer.

As for fuel, we use a few six gallon cans that we fill when we needed.

Will_C · May 30, 2003

Good advice on the trailer. I have one, but I trailer the tractor 25-30 times a year, 5 miles to my Mother's house to work there. If you are talking about the rare visit to the dealer, there are more cost effective solutions.
I have three 5 gallon fuel cans for diesel. It is simple to take 1 or 2 in the back of the truck whenever I go to town.
Will

MossRoad · May 30, 2003

Also, the trailer is an 18' car hauler and cost about $2000.00, plus plates, plus insurance, plus trailer hitch, brake controller, etc... total of about $2500.00. I figured it into my budget when we purchased the tractor(bigger tractor will mean bigger trailer).

Here's some links to some pictures of it.

Tractor, 2 buckets, pallet forks, brush hog and finish mower.

And a picture with nothing on it.

Anonymous Poster · May 31, 2003

( . . . plus insurance . . .)

Moss, why is there a separate insurance calculation for you? Did your owning that trailer cause a premium jump on one of your policies?

SnowRidge

Anonymous Poster · Jun 1, 2003

In the state of Indiana your trailer is covered as long as it is still hooked to the tow vehicle. That does not cover damage to the trailer, but is liability insurance.
Does not cover fire, theft, or damage. It is not very expensive to have, but highly recommend it unless the trailer is not worth much.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 1, 2003

See if there is one you can borrow or if your lucky keep!

I mentioned to a friend that I am just about to buy a tractor and he offere a converted tag horse trailer. It is far from fancy, it has a cut down roof, has the mangers removed and welded rails and pintle hook setup so that it can carry equipment. Probably looks rough but it should just fit the tractor and right now it has a mini-steam roller on it so it should be strong.

Don't know about brakes but I will only use it locally and have a F350 dually so it will stop anyway.

Point is I am in the same situation and didn't see the point in paying for a new trailer to haul a tractor 1 or maybe 0 times a year.

My thought was on something used for little $$$. You see EQ trailers in the papaer all the time and often they are cheap and of the heavier "industrial" sort used for mini- excavators and such.

May look like heck but who cares.

mapmgr · Jun 3, 2003

Don't forget that a bigger tractor = bigger tow vehicle. If I was getting a lawn & garden tractor, my Subaru Forester w/ a tow capacity of 2000lbs could handle it. With my soon to be JD 4310 , it won't cut it. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Now for a question: can I get green gas cans for diesel fuel, or can I only get red gasoline or blue kerosene cans?

CTyler · Jun 3, 2003

The diesel cans are yellow....go figure.

mapmgr · Jun 3, 2003

Dumb, rhetorical question: So why are all of the diesel pumps and price signs marked in green?

Thanks.

John_Mc · Jun 3, 2003

Re: Newbie Question--Getting your tractor around..

( The diesel cans are yellow....go figure. )

And no one carries them anywhere near where I live...

Anonymous Poster · Jun 3, 2003

Re: Newbie Question--Getting your tractor around..

Wal*Mart hasn't made it to VT yet? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MCA

Anonymous Poster · Jun 4, 2003

Re: Newbie Question--Getting your tractor around..

Take a look at this link http://www.theplasticsgroup.net/pdf/us/specialcontainersheet.pdf

I looked at a lot of containers before buying one of these. Ordered mine over the phone. No regrets.

Jim

buck1 · Jun 4, 2003

Trailer it if you're going to have to drive it a long way over asphalt. My kubota was delivered full of diesel and I keep it topped off with a 5 gallon can. No need for big barrels unless you're doing some MAJOR work with it for long periods of time and then two 5 gallon cans should work. I find that I can bushhog heavy stuff for almost 6 hours on 5 gallons. That's the most seat time my wife will let me have /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif