Use a tractor to launch a boat?

BluRidgDav · Dec 15, 2005

I'm thinking about buying a big trailerable fishing boat (5000+lbs). I'm also planning to get a tractor for mowing, light FEL, etc. Anybody use their JD to pull a boat? I don't mean just move it around the driveway. But rather to tow it about a mile down a rural road and launch & retrieve it from a public boat ramp. Could a tractor light enough to be used as a lawn-mower (2210 - 4210) be strong/heavy enough to pull a big boat out of the water?

Mike_Lipke · Dec 15, 2005

Short answer: Yes

Long answer: You bet your bippy.
A 4 wheel drive tractor could pull the boat and the tow vehicle up the ramp.

ronjhall · Dec 15, 2005

One of the main concerns is having enough braking to stop tractor, trailer and boat on a steep ramp. I have seen a couple of trucks and motor homes end up in the water because there was not enough brakes on tow vehicle to stop on a ramp. Sa

George2615 · Dec 15, 2005

I agree with Ron and Mike that a trailer will definetly tow a 5000# boat on a trailer. I move my 4000# boat and a 30' 5800# camper trailer around with my 2615HST. However, my towing is on mostly flat ground around the yard. I would not attempt to tow 5K up or down any grade such as a boat launch. Most tractors (don't ask me how I know) don't have the stopping power to hold them on such a grade.

jdeerestl · Dec 15, 2005

My 2210 gets squirrely towing a 3,000lb. boat + trailer on inclines if I don't have the loader on. I wouldn't want to launch on a steep ramp with it.

BobCurry · Dec 15, 2005

I pull my 21' CC around with my 3320. However I do load the bucket halfway with dirt to counter balance. Works fine and I feel safe doing it this way.

Bob

Mike_Lipke · Dec 15, 2005

braking is, or can be, a definite issue. If that HST control goes into neutral for any reason, you may not be able to stop it. Power to pull, assuming good balance, should not be an concern.

Buck · Dec 15, 2005

Towing it a mile or two is not the issue. It is the steepness of the ramp as others have said in light of the tractor weight. I tow my 22' ft dual hull boat with a JD790 -- no problem.

Weight of the tractor on a muddy bank, for example, may be a concern.

Also, when maneuvering my 8.5 ft wide boat into my barn for the winter, I far prefer using my tractor. Much, much easier.

Finally, don't forget that with the up/down leverage with the 3PH, it is much easier to raise or lower the boat in comparison with a truck.

pat32rf · Dec 15, 2005

I have had a problem launching behind my 4300 in shallow water. The boat was not all the way on the trailer with negative tongue weight. The 3ph lifted up which then made it even harder to pull the boat on. The shore was too muddy to back out to deeper water. I have also used the reciever on the back hoe to launch/recover. It works like a dream for backing trailers into tight spots, just swing the boom to steer the trailer, lift to dump /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.....Pat