TC 40D

[wihakowiSteve]

Not sure whether this is an option or not but perhaps a gooseneck trailer like mine would alleviate some of the length -- you can rest the FEL bucket forward of the actual bed on the gooseneck. Does require a ball in the truck bed though and I think maybe the trailers are a bit pricier?
Steve

 

[Golfgar4]

Thanks Steve. I've thought about a gooseneck, but I've tended to shy away from them because of having to have the ball in the truck bed. I don't like the idea of losing that hauling capacity. And yes, they are pricier.

I almost feel like the tails wagging the dog here. Here I am, trying to figure what size trailer to get before I've even decided on what brand of tractor to get /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

i've seen a lot of guys do short trips with the loader up over the back of the truck just in the air !!. not what i'd call a good idea for a long trip but for across town might not be a problem. one guy has a wooden craddle he slips under the loader cross tie and uses that as his insurance that it won't drop. it sets on the trailer and under the loader.

not a recommendation just a thought !!

 

[MikePA]

<font color=blue>Thanks Steve. I've thought about a gooseneck, but I've tended to shy away from them because of having to have the ball in the truck bed. I don't like the idea of losing that hauling capacity.</font color=blue>
No need to lose the space. I have a GN hitch from DrawTite and the piece with the hitch ball in it (it's shaped like the letter 'H') is removable. The 2 pieces that stay in the bed are almost flush with my bedliner so plywood, drywall, etc. slides right in. Drawtite also has a hitch where you can remove the ball.

 

[Golfgar4]

Mike, that's really cool /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif. Thanks. Although, it does throw one more factor to be included in my list of things to consider when I'm ready to buy /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif.

Over the weekend, the wife and I started looking at building plans. Of course, she's looking at house plans, and I'm looking at barn plans /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif. When we talked about it, she agreed that the barn and house should be of similar styles to "compliment each other". The only problem was that she didn't say what style she wanted. Notice I said - she didn't say what style SHE wanted. I figure she's willing to let me have my tractor and barn, I can let her decide on the style, right? /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[MikePA]

I was rooting through old receipts this past weekend and found the bill for installing my hitch and the bill was $500, about 3 years ago. The pieces that attach to the frame are welded.

If your home is like mine, the wife sets style direction and I do the heavy lifting...and paying! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

Our wives must be sisters! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[MikePA]

Yep! Sometimes my wife will ask my opinion about something, e.g., color, texture, etc. Here's how the conversation goes, in those weak moments, when I give my opinion.

Her: "Which one do you like?"
Me: "That one."
Her: "Why?"

It is at this point I know I've made a mistake. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

My version of the conversation would be:

Her: "Which one do you like?"
Me: "I don't know."
Her: "Why don't you know. You never tell me your opinion."
Me: "That's because you never tell me what it is that you want me to tell you." /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif

 

[wihakowiSteve]

Golfgar,
Being in the heart of Vermont, my vote is for a traditional "rambling" New England farmhouse - you know, the ones with about 1200 feet of living space and 50,000 feet of attached barns and sheds. Along with a few assorted out-buildings as well, of course.
Steve

 

[Golfgar4]

Steve,

That'll work /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif! I like it, BUT I may have to be willing to go to 1300 for the house /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.

In one of the other forums I mentioned in a post that we're planning on building a "compound", which will consist of (at a minimum) the house, the barn, and an art gallery. So we're going to have to agree on all 3 being complimentary /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif! Actually, right now we live in what could be described as your traditional "rambling" New England farmhouse. Of course when we built it, she described it as an "old/new farmhouse". I think she was covering all bases /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif. Anyway, once we decide on The Look, we'll let you all know!

 

[THEBUS]

Nice looking rig! Are those New Holland forks or are they made by someone else? And if you don't mind, about what did you pay for the forks.

 

[BKColeman]

Thanks. The forks aren't made by NH. They are made by somebody else, I've got the mfr at home, but I can't remember the name. The price was $660 I believe.

Have you seen the "Unbelievable" thread where Spencer is using similar forks to dig out giant stumps with his TC33D? I haven't tried it yet, but plan to.

--Brad

 

[THEBUS]

I havn't seen that post but I will look for it. Thanks for the info on the price and if you don't mind, if you can tell me who made the forks I would appreciate it. I think the forks will be just as usefull, if not more, than the bucket. I also really like the QD system. Thanks again.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Loose capacity? Naaa... I use my truck to haul my bumper pull trailer, and I have the gooseneck ball in the bed. They are spring loaded... just pull the handle, and up they pop. Flush otherwise.
Chris

"Thanks Steve. I've thought about a gooseneck, but I've tended to shy away from them because of having to have the ball in the truck bed. I don't like the idea of losing that hauling capacity. And yes, they are pricier"

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Sounds like their momma had triplets...

"Our wives must be sisters! "

 

[Golfgar4]

<font color=blue>They are spring loaded... just pull the handle, and up they pop.</font color=blue>

Hey Chris, no one had told me that before /w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif. Thanks. That may just make the whole decison making process easier /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif!

 

[Robert_in_NY]

What about a tag along with removable ramps or slide in ramps. Then you just let the tail end of the chopper hang over with a red flag on the wheel. I hauled my TN with loader and 6' chopper on a 16' tag along that had fold up ramps. I chained the tractor down and chained the ramps to the chopper. I do not recommend this for long trips but I had a short 6 mile trip to make and don't like driving on the road anymore with the way most drivers are nowadays. But a 20' with removable ramps and your machine would just let basicly the tailwheel assembly stick off the back of the trailer which isn't too bad and you can chain the chopper to the deck just to be extra safe.

 

[Golfgar4]

Robert -

That's a good idea. The majority of my towing will be local, say within a 25 mile radius. But I will need to go +200 miles a few times each year, so I definitely will want something that will provide good security.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

With your rig on a 20' deck I would not hesitate to go across country. Just chain the tractor and chopper down good and hang a red flag on the tailwheel. If you can swing it though get the gooseneck as it is easier to tow and a lot easier on the truck and more fun as well. Only problem is the loss of box space when towing.