Dragging home a Ford 3000 with another Ford 3000

[Tupperville]

Is it possible to use you three point hitch on a Ford 3000 to pick up another and pull it home.

And would you pick it up on the back or front.

And how would you strap it.

There must be a three point hitch setup that goes under front axel to lift.

I suppose if the rear wheels and lift arms were off you could do the same from the back.

 

[Tupperville]

If the tractor to be towed had a weight bar I see no reason why a drawbar could not be bolted to it.

I think my Ford lift arms are good for 1700 lbs. and most the weight should be on the rear axel of the towed tractor.

 

[sweetskillsrk]

I bought a 3400 for parts a couple years ago and tried to tow it with my 3000 across the yard but it was too heavy for my tractor. Had the steering on the 3400 not been locked up, I could've had someone steer it but I ended up having to split it so I could lift and then steer the halves where I needed them. How far do you have to go? A 3000 is definitely lighter on the front end than a 3400, but I think you'll have to have the other tractor pretty close so the weight is as far in as possible.

 

[Tupperville]

I bought a 3400 for parts a couple years ago and tried to tow it with my 3000 across the yard but it was too heavy for my tractor. Had the steering on the 3400 not been locked up, I could've had someone steer it but I ended up having to split it so I could lift and then steer the halves where I needed them. How far do you have to go? A 3000 is definitely lighter on the front end than a 3400, but I think you'll have to have the other tractor pretty close so the weight is as far in as possible.

I kind of misunstand your post and I apologize for that.

You never said if you picked the 3400 at the front or rear.

I can take this tractor to the driveshed I have rented down a gravel road a few miles then sneak into town the back way with no traffic until I get to the bridge on main street which I could be across in less than one minute then to it's destination up the street.

I will have to back this in to it's spot so is the drawbar going to bind, I don't know.

The more I look at where the weight is I'm guessing it doesn't matter which end you pick it up from

And how does the steering react if towed from the back.

 

[sweetskillsrk]

Sorry, you're right, my fault. I attempted to pick up the front of the 3400 with a 3 point boom pole on the rear of my 3000. There's definitely more weight on the rear so you'll need to pick it up from the front of the tractor. Given the larger front end of a 3400, it was just too heavy in my case, but you might be ok with a 3000. I don't think your 3000 will pick up another 3000 from the rear and then you would have to lock the steering so it would track properly. A few miles is pretty far, but if your 3 point lift is in good shape, I would think you would be fine to use a boom pole on the closer loop and chain up the other 3000 using the front axle. Hope that makes more sense.

 

[MM-TX]

When I was younger I pulled something pretty heavy with my Farmall M one end up with a boom pole. After I got going the front came off the ground too high and too fast. I was lucky enough to still be able to reach the clutch. The boom pole has a lot of leverage. I decided it’s not a good way to use a boom pole.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

What about renting one of those dollies for towing cars for the front end.

 

[Jim.ME]

What about renting one of those dollies for towing cars for the front end.

This sounds like a much safer and better plan than using a boom pole to carry either end of a tractor for several miles on roads. Or rent/borrow a trailer and load it on. You can use a ball in your drawbar hole.

 

[Tupperville]

What about renting one of those dollies for towing cars for the front end.

I just searched a tilt-n-load tow truck capacity and a Ford 3000 would be no problem.

 

[Jim.ME]

I just searched a tilt-n-load tow truck capacity and a Ford 3000 would be no problem.

Correct most roll back ramp trucks would have no problems loading and hauling the tractor, and the risk of something going wrong with your tractor and boom pole is gone.

 

[Sean in PA]

If you're going to use a tow dolly, I would tow it with my truck rather than a tractor, especially if you're going to need to back it up to park it. If it's been sitting for any length of time without running, make sure that the rear axle and transmission have enough fluid in them to lubricate things properly, as even when it is in neutral, the rear axle and some parts inside the transmission will move when it is being towed.

 

[Sean in PA]

I just searched a tilt-n-load tow truck capacity and a Ford 3000 would be no problem.

I had a local towing company take my 3 cylinder 4000 to the local New Holland dealer for some service work several years ago. They used a rollback flatbed truck and it handled it no problem. My 4000 weighed about 1,000 pounds more than a 3000, which was still several thousand pounds less than a 3500 series pickup truck and they use those rollback tow trucks to haul those 3500 pickup trucks all the time.

 

[Lynn Patrick]

I have used a home-made V-shaped tow bar many times. Just bolt it to both sides of the front axle, hitch to your tractor hitch & TAKE YOUR TIME!! The second tractor will follow & turn w/you.

 

[Tupperville]

I have used a home-made V-shaped tow bar many times. Just bolt it to both sides of the front axle, hitch to your tractor hitch & TAKE YOUR TIME!! The second tractor will follow & turn w/you.

Please post a photo if possible.

I assume you don't have to lift the other tractor very high.

 

[Lynn Patrick]

Please post a photo if possible.

I assume you don't have to lift the other tractor very high.

I'm not at home right now, but will be in a couple days & I'll get a pic or 2. And no, you don't lift the second tractor at all!

 

[Tupperville]

I'm not at home right now, but will be in a couple days & I'll get a pic or 2. And no, you don't lift the second tractor at all!

I look forward to your post.

 

[Ray,IN]

Keep stopping capacity in mind; 2x the weight with your same brakes.

 

[Tupperville]

I been studying some tractor front ends and if on some models the radius rods were removed, a tractor should tow fine with no need to remove any steering linkage. It would be similar to a tow dollie only a lot heavier. All that would be needed is a tow bar with an adjustable plate to match up with the holes on the front axel.

 

[Ultradog MN]

I think you could do it.
Maybe put bolts in the swivel balls on the lift arms of the tow tractor then use a short chain on each lift arm to the front axle of the towed tractor.
No need to lift the front tires of the towed tractor completely off the ground. Just take enough weight off so they can skid sideways a little and not steer.

 

[a49deere]

what ever happened to the tow strap, and a helper to steer and apply the brakes when needed?