The little tractor that could.

[Marveltone]

I was in a rut. No... literally and figuratively. I'll need my equipment trailer this weekend, but it's full of firewood. No problem... just unload it, right? Yeah. That's what I thought. I was pulling it across the field with my pickup, up toward the house when I sank into a rut (shallow drainage ditch), still hidden by the receding snow. Stuck! No amount of rocking or any other countermeasures would free the heavy load. I unhooked the truck from the trailer, pulled away, parked it and eyed the much smaller and lighter tractor. Well, it does have chains on the wheels, what could it hurt?

Now, to properly set the stage, the tractor is my trusty little Ford 1510. The only added weight is the FEL, winter cab and chains. The trailer in question is a 20', 14k PJ equipment hauler with about two cord of seasoned Tamarack. I guesstimate a total weight of about 9700lbs.
The two questions in my mind were as follows: 1. Will the tractor support the weight of the trailer without doing a wheelie? 2. Will it even move it?

I put the tractor in 2nd range, 1st gear, 4WD and slowly let up the clutch. It moved! Better yet, no wheelies! It pulled the trailer out of the ditch, through the snow, and up the hill to the house. I kept things real slow, knowing full well that the loaded trailer was 3X the weight of the tractor and was able to back it up where I needed and unload the wood without carrying it halfway across the yard. Unfortunately, I didn't think to get any pictures until I had it all pulled up to the house, but you can still get an idea of the size of the load for such a little tractor.

I really need to stop underestimating these powerful little tools!

Joe

 

[creekbend]

Your Tractor definitely performed the task. Well done. I'm glad that everything worked out.

 

[gilbertmsg]

I'm impressed.

Eddie

 

[Gary Fowler]

All that tongue weight from the trailer certainly made for good traction also. I am not really that surprised that the tractor moved that load. They are made for that and with 4 wd they put the power to the ground. Glad you got it out for sure.

 

[PsRumors]

Impressed by the tractor but the 4x4 Dodge wouldn't pull it? I think I'd have to find a new truck.

 

[cdaigle430]

Impressed by the tractor but the 4x4 Dodge wouldn't pull it? I think I'd have to find a new truck.

Who said anything about it being a 4x4 or a Dodge pickup?

 

[Blaneypark]

How do you like the PJ Trailer? Going to pick up a 20'tilt on Friday.

 

[bigbull338]

that tractor did its job.

 

[joshuabardwell]

Impressed by the tractor but the 4x4 Dodge wouldn't pull it? I think I'd have to find a new truck.

My money is that it's an issue of tire tread and traction, not pulling power. Even offroad tires can only do so much compared to tractor tires with chains.

 

[jerrybob]

Nice job Joe......glad you solved the problem!

 

[PsRumors]

Who said anything about it being a 4x4 or a Dodge pickup?

It can be seen in one of the pictures.

My money is that it's an issue of tire tread and traction, not pulling power. Even offroad tires can only do so much compared to tractor tires with chains.

That is true in quite a few instances. I'd just be very disappointed in my truck if my TZ out pulled it. Of course I forget not everyone sets a truck up to be a truck, some maybe even many run full blown street tires.

 

[kebo]

Good job with the tractor!! But, I have to ask.... how well does that grapple do with the snow up there??

 

[sparc]

It can be seen in one of the pictures.



That is true in quite a few instances. I'd just be very disappointed in my truck if my TZ out pulled it. Of course I forget not everyone sets a truck up to be a truck, some maybe even many run full blown street tires.

Tires are usually selected for the work the truck is set up to do. If that task is pulling a trailer over the road how does that make it any less of a truck?

 

[Marveltone]

To all the speculative comments, the truck is indeed a Dodge Cummins 4X4. The issue was definitely traction related, not power. The tires are the very same Michelin street treads that were on the truck when I bought it and are utterly worthless on the farm. They're finally worn out to the point where I can justify changing them for some good All-terrain tires that will perform better for my current needs. Still, no comparing AT truck tires to a tractor with chains.

Kebo, the grapple does great with the snow as long as I don't squeeze it too hard. :silly:

Joe

 

[Bob77064]

Good job, very impressive.

 

[stefanie]

that tractor did its job.

Actually the driver did the job. Good Thinking!!!!

 

[Hiltz]

Your Tractor definitely performed the task. Well done. I'm glad that everything worked out.

I had a 1510 about 30 years ago. Those series of Ford tractors were built like a tank. Sold it when I moved. Wish I still had it. What a workhorse of a little tractor.