Wear & Tear Tramming vs. hauling expense

catsco · May 6, 2004

Before moving my new PT425 to our woodlot from our current house (where I spent a day running the machine through its paces making sure everything works before taking it to our remote site), I have an opportunity to help a friend excavate for two small retaining walls.

Thought it might be more fun to tear up someone else's yard to learn how to use a machine that operated differently than the tractor I'm used to. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

My question is (everyone who owns a pickup and/or trailer can ignore this):

I don't have a way to move the PT other than a rented truck and trailer.

Total cost to do so to his place is about $90 plus fuel each way since we live where prices are high.

It is just under 5 miles to his place, and I can legally tram the PT there and back; probably take about 40 minutes.

Is that a totally daft thought? Seems like the 1.5 hr. total or so would be less wear and tear on the budget than the $180 plus time to get and return the truck twice.

In just running around the block once in our neighborhood and operating all hydraulic circuits (total of 30 minutes) the hydraulic cooler fan came on, and the oil tank was too hot to touch for more than a second or two. Ambient temperature was about 75 degrees.

Some of you will probably realize that I really just want to take a drive with the PT, but I do want to help my friend out. He has no $$$ to contribute due to circumstances beyond his control.

Thanks!
Mark H.

MossRoad · May 6, 2004

40 minutes one way is a pretty long time on the road. I wouldn't do it. Too many oportunities to get hit by a car.

If you decide to do it, consult your local law enforcement. They may tell you you need a slow moving vehicle sign, flashers, etc... My PT425 burns about a gallon an hour of fuel. So, take some extra gas for the return trip, as you only have a 5 gallon tank. Also, remember, if it dies on the road, you can't tow it without using the relief valve for towing or you will damage the pumps. Get familiar with the steps to make it towable, should that happen, and do it once or twice. That way you will know what tools you will need and you can have them with you for an emergency. Road flares, too. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Sedgewood · May 6, 2004

Is that a totally daft thought? 

I've trammed by 1845 3-4 miles more than once without giving it a thought, daft or otherwise. If we expect these things to run all over the lot for several thousand hours in the course of a good long lifetime, what's the harm in a little road trip now & then?

Sedgewood

catsco · May 6, 2004

Hi MossRoad--

( 40 minutes one way is a pretty long time on the road. I wouldn't do it. Too many oportunities to get hit by a car. )

Thanks for your concern. That's not a problem, though, because the entire trip only CROSSES two roads. I'm allowed to use the 8'-10' wide sidewalk/rollerblade/bikeway!

The only 'road' I would be on are residential streets where al the kids ride gas and electric scooters.

In a similar vein, this is a suburban area, and I pass two gas stations. The high cost I mentioned is because of TWO separate rentals to move as I would be working there several days.

Thanks for the input!
Mark H.

catsco · May 6, 2004

Sedgewood--

( I've trammed by 1845 3-4 miles more than once without giving it a thought, daft or otherwise. If we expect these things to run all over the lot for several thousand hours in the course of a good long lifetime, what's the harm in a little road trip now & then?
)

Good point. I may have had a lapse of common sense. Since everyone here in Colorado Springs Suburbia drives to visit a neighbor on the other side of the street /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I was trapped into thinking the same way!

Mark H.

Charlie_Iliff · May 6, 2004

It is just under 5 miles to his place, and I can legally tram the PT there and back; probably take about 40 minutes.


Before undertaking such a journey, you surely will have to mount some type of dispenser of cool beverage. Then go for it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

catsco · May 6, 2004

Charlie--

Great idea to have a cool beverage dispenser. If you're referring to the hydraulic one, can you give me the PT part number? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I'm torn between that OR stopping at one of two 7-11s or 1 Diamond Shamrock or 1 Conoco station.

It IS a rather desolate area, having only one gas station per mile, but I may chance the trip without supplies other than CB radio, cell phone, flares, and GPS unit. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mark H.

MossRoad · May 6, 2004

I was just discussing a beverage holder with someone. I think just to the left side of the steering console would be a great place on the 400 series. It would have to be one of those mounts like you see on a boat. Gimbal? Gimbral? Oh, heck, what is it called?

Golfgar4 · May 6, 2004

( Gimbal? Gimbral? Oh, heck, what is it called? )

Swingy thingy!! /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

pajoube · May 6, 2004

Since I moved my lights up under the ROPS the old light mount area on either side would be a great place to mount a cup holder.
PJ

toy · May 6, 2004

For the beverage holder Mr mentioned I had mine where he is talking about but decided that a fire extinguisher was better suited for that area, but a beverage holder is forthcoming. For right now a pocket tee shirt has a good pop holder on it. Now to the important part of your post a way to get the machine from place to place , a good sales pitch to sell your missis on getting a trailor. We got to think of these things you know. Search for one on your own so you can find one of ample size and then start selling the idea to the missis.

davesisk · May 6, 2004

Suggestion: Find a friend who has a trailer, and trade some tractor work for transportation! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif You're about to become VERY popular with your neighbors...

Dave

FOURTEEN · May 7, 2004

Traveling down the road for 40 minutes is less work for the PT than mowing an open yard for 40 minutes!!

Use various throttle settings during the trip and your Kohler will be nicely broken in by the time you get back home!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

PS: Be prepared for some finger pointing!! It may help to carry a sign stating: "No, I am NOT crazy!! I'm just a typical new Power Trac owner!!"!

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

dummy · May 7, 2004

Rather than renting a truck and trailer each time, how about checking with the towing companies in your area? For this trip though, if it were me, I would drive it there and back.

catsco · May 7, 2004

Hi Toy--

( Now to the important part of your post a way to get the machine from place to place , a good sales pitch to sell your missis on getting a trailor. )

I had considered that, but with other machine tools, etc., the tractor purchase was only able to be justified for driveway, forest clearing, and septic system installation at our new property.

Getting the trailer would be easy. THEN, I would need a suitable tow vehicle. Total cost of trailer and suitable vehicle would exceed the price of the new house.

Although, I suppose a PT COULD be transported on something less than a race car traler/RV with full bath towed by a Humvee or small semi.

Naw, probably not. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Mark H.

Schultz · May 7, 2004

Like many others I wouldn't think twice about the wear & tear of driving for an hour or so. Grab a bag of chips, beverage of choice and go for it.

Used trailers can be had inexpensively (<$400), I've got an old 72' snowmobile trailer that I occasionally put my garden tractor on, which is about the same weight at the 400 PT. It's great for short trips. It ended up being free after I sold the two snowmobiles that came with it. I also use it for general yard work behind the tractor when the little garden trailer is too small for the job.

Tim

MossRoad · May 7, 2004

One note on trailers... I'll put my el cheapo garden tractor on a single axle trailer... I have many times. But I won't put my mucho $$$ PT on one /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

toy · May 8, 2004

I just went to Tazwell this week to get mine where they replaced the pivot pin that was bent. I used a 13 ft single axel trailor with mesh wire bottom and loading ramps. Going up there I could hardly tell that the trailor was behind me, it is so light but coming home I could tell that I had some weight pulling behind me. I have a f150 ford short wheel base with a 302 engine, it really wasn't that hard to tow. I think someone on the forum said they towed theirs with a 6 cylinder. A car hauler would be real nice but sometimes a comprimise has to be made, buying a used trailor can save you money and let you buy bigger.

davesisk · May 8, 2004

Although I rarely take my PT-1418 anywhere away from home, when I do I tow it on a 5x12 single axle trailer rated for 2900 lbs (legally rate for 2900 lbs...it actually has a 3500 lb rated axle and 1800 lb rated tires). The PT's aren't much heavier than a big lawn tractor (unless you have ALL the attachments!), so unless you haul it frequently and long distances, I wouldn't be too concerned about hauling it on a smaller trailer.

I'd suggest that you check with your home-owners insurance to see what kind of coverage you have for the tractor. I know for mine, I'm covered in terms of liability and replacement cost of the tractor regardless of where I am as long as 1) I'm operating the machine and 2) it's not being done as commercial business. So, if I tow it 200 miles and help my father-in-law move dirt, it's still covered. However, homeowners insurance can vary considerably, so check with your agent and see what coverage you have. Toys (like 4-wheelers, etc) usually aren't covered, but "tools" used for maintenance of your property (like tractors) usually are, in some shape or form.

HTH,
Dave

SnowRidge · May 9, 2004

( I think someone on the forum said they towed theirs with a 6 cylinder. )

Not me! I tow mine with my 4 cylinder Toyota Tacoma 4x4. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

OK. it's fairly big four--150 hp, but it hardly knows the PT is back there. It does know about the enclosed single axle cargo trailer that the PT rides in, though. It's sort of like pulling a barn door through the air. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Seriously, I see no problem at all with using a good single axle trailer to haul a PT-425. Piece of cake. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

SnowRidge