Towing Tractor

[eddieirvine]

ok this is why i asked i was aware of it not working but asking about it is good advice thanks for the reply's, I will stay with my tandem axle trailer

 

[jyoutz]

Just buy an appropriate weight rated trailer of sufficient length.

 

[OldPaint]

Sure, go for it. Let us know how Uhaul endorsed that.

ROFLOL.

Having been through that endorsement process, simply put, they will NOT. And, if you damage their dolly, I promise, they're going to want to know why, and will demand photos of what was being towed.

Anyone else here old enough to remember the UHaul/Ford Explorer fiasco? I had a 1992 SWB Standard Cab F-150 2WD, 5.0 and manual. If it had been 4WD, or, LWB, or Extended Cab, or Automatic, they would rent me a trailer. What was really bizarre was that if my truck had been an I6 instead of a V8, they would have rented me one. But because it was none of the 5 requirements, they would not. I wound up using the company van (2500) to pull the trailer. I wanted a dolly to pull one of my old T-Birds with a dolly. Absolutely not because I showed up with a '98 Ranger. UHaul got hit pretty hard with the suits for Explorer and Ranger towing risks, when really, it wasn't their fault. Everything was traced back to faulty Firestone tires on the Ford Light Truck line, but because Uhaul was implicated and had to pay settlement, they refuse to allow their trailers to be towed by the smaller Fords.

So, if you want to use one of their dollies (which are darn good dollies, btw), best not tell 'em you're going to put a tractor on it. They WILL ask for proof and a tag number for the towed vehicle. Load distribution with a tow dolly is NOT an issue, because all of the weight of the vehicle is directly on the axle of the dolly. There's little tongue weight but the nature of the beast with a swivel in the middle prevents speed wobbles (and so does slowing down). HOWEVER, since the COG is so low on them, they tend to lift the rear end of anything pulling them if the towing vehicle isn't a lot heavier than the towed vehicle. That's probably not going to be the case with anything bigger than a compact tractor. They typically have something like a 3500 lb load rating, IIRC, but might wanna check me on that. I've used them a lot for pulling cars but would NEVER EVER consider pulling a tractor with one.

 

[OldPaint]

ok this is why i asked i was aware of it not working but asking about it is good advice thanks for the reply's, I will stay with my tandem axle trailer

Just make sure your trailer can carry the load, and that your towing vehicle can pull the loaded trailer. GVWR ratings are there for a reason. If you have a tandem axle trailer, why would you even consider the dolly? Even an underrated trailer would be safer (but definitely not recommended) to haul the tractor.

 

[ssgp2]

NO!. But, if you do, please post video!

 

[OldPaint]

NO!. But, if you do, please post video!

I'll bring the popcorn.

 

[oldnslo]

Interesting responses on this subject. There are “Plow days” in this area and several of the participants tow their old tractors to this event in the manner the OP is asking. Have seen John Deeres, Oliver’s, Farmalls, etc. all being towed with front tires on a dolly of some fashion. These are all older 100% mechanical drive transmission with dry clutch. No clue how far they are being towed but suspect at least 10 or more miles. If was damaging something I doubt these people would be doing it.

 

[jyoutz]

Interesting responses on this subject. There are “Plow days” in this area and several of the participants tow their old tractors to this event in the manner the OP is asking. Have seen John Deeres, Oliver’s, Farmalls, etc. all being towed with front tires on a dolly of some fashion. These are all older 100% mechanical drive transmission with dry clutch. No clue how far they are being towed but suspect at least 10 or more miles. If was damaging something I doubt these people would be doing it.

How fast?

 

[oldnslo]

How fast?

Have never followed one but would estimate 12 - 15 MPH. These are old mechanical brake machines that we used to pull to start if needed or pull to shop to work on. Pretty sure tranny and gears are all splash lube.

 

[jyoutz]

Have never followed one but would estimate 12 - 15 MPH. These are old mechanical brake machines that we used to pull to start if needed or pull to shop to work on. Pretty sure tranny and gears are all splash lube.

I guess it depends on how far and how much traffic is on the route.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

It's to easy to put a tractor on a trailer that can be towed at highway speeds for me to jury rig up a tow dolly to then get out on the highway and drag it around at 10-15 MPH, but to each his own I reckon.

 

[oldnslo]

Lineman,
I suspect but don’t know for a fact that the Illinois trailer laws influence some of the decisions on towing vs hauling.

Figure a tractor the size of a John Deere 50 or 60 or Farmall M at around 5000 - 6000 lbs depending on how they are weighted plus 2 or 3 bottom plow is another 700 - 1000 lbs. This weight would require minimum of 10K trailer and 3/4 or 1 ton tow vehicle and most likely gooseneck or 5 th wheel.

In this area there has been a significant increase in roaming road side scale an inspection stations targeting over weight trailers, I uninspected trailers, etc.

In Illinois any trailer over 5K required yearly inspection or at that was the rules a few years ago. Plus license plates, registration, insurance, etc.

Towing could be accomplished with 1/2 ton pickup so significantly less cost and hassle for something you do a couple of times a year.

Not saying one way is better than the other but I can certainly understand why it is being done by old timers that know what they are doing.

I cringe more at people pulling tandem anhydrous nurse tanks behind a pickup at 20 plus MPH and that is done here every spring and fall.

 

[wolc123]

This is easier and safer.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Lineman,
I suspect but don’t know for a fact that the Illinois trailer laws influence some of the decisions on towing vs hauling.

Figure a tractor the size of a John Deere 50 or 60 or Farmall M at around 5000 - 6000 lbs depending on how they are weighted plus 2 or 3 bottom plow is another 700 - 1000 lbs. This weight would require minimum of 10K trailer and 3/4 or 1 ton tow vehicle and most likely gooseneck or 5 th wheel.

In this area there has been a significant increase in roaming road side scale an inspection stations targeting over weight trailers, I uninspected trailers, etc.

In Illinois any trailer over 5K required yearly inspection or at that was the rules a few years ago. Plus license plates, registration, insurance, etc.

Towing could be accomplished with 1/2 ton pickup so significantly less cost and hassle for something you do a couple of times a year.

Not saying one way is better than the other but I can certainly understand why it is being done by old timers that know what they are doing.

I cringe more at people pulling tandem anhydrous nurse tanks behind a pickup at 20 plus MPH and that is done here every spring and fall.

I guess were pretty fortunate down here, if it's farm related you rarely get messed with by the state man, but them poor old boys trying to scratch out a living hauling logs get wore out everywhere they go, I would have figured up there in big farm country everybody would have a deckover trailer and a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. I can't remember the last time I saw an anhydrous rig or tank around here.

 

[jyoutz]

I guess were pretty fortunate down here, if it's farm related you rarely get messed with by the state man, but them poor old boys trying to scratch out a living hauling logs get wore out everywhere they go, I would have figured up there in big farm country everybody would have a deckover trailer and a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. I can't remember the last time I saw an anhydrous rig or tank around here.

The issue with log trucks is that it easy and common to exceed 80k pounds with log loads. Most log trucks bunks will easily handle 100k log loads, but 80k is all that’s permitted on public roads.

 

[eddieirvine]

NO!. But, if you do, please post video!

I have already posted no way i have a tandem axle trailer i just wanted to see the responses And figured it would end up like it did thanks for everyone that responded

 

[Flogger]

Had a partner in a hay business who was always in a hurry. He would throw a tow strap on his 2 cyl 820 and round baler and have his sister pull him at 40 - 45mph from field to field. His sister this day has PTSD like issues. LOL

 

[mllud]

I have already posted no way i have a tandem axle trailer i just wanted to see the responses And figured it would end up like it did thanks for everyone that responded

eddieirvin has already decided not to try.

One thing not mentioned, or I missed is high center of gravity. The dolly would widen the front wheel stance, but the tractor would still shift more weight to the outside dolly wheel on corners causing control issues.

If kept at 18 mph as stated for a short run maybe ok but,,,,

I also think it may feel fine at low speeds and give a false sense of security to speed up. All that rear axle weight Back there pulling hard around corners.
There are all the good reason mentioned on here o why it's not common practice.

It would tow more like a towbar pushing on corners instead of pivoting like a trailer.
It was a good subject.

 

[rvds]

It would only be OK if you have an old fashioned manual transmission in my opinion

 

[blehmann]

You can buy a tire for the trailer cheaper than a tow dolly. Fix the trailer.