GR2120 Trailer Dolly

[BobbyD]

Hi folks,

New member, first post.

I have the opportunity to get a used GR2120 at a decent price from a friend.

I’m wondering if y’all think I’d be able to use it to launch and remove my pontoon boat and trailer? The boat is about 2000 lbs. Tongue weight is maybe 250 (I can deadlift up myself but it’s heavy).

I would only need to move it about 100 feet twice a year to get the boat in and out of the lake. Then I’d hook it to my truck. It is just a super tight corner getting the boat in and out and is a pain with the truck especially if the lawn isn’t dry and firm.

I’d keep this at the cottage and could sell my JD mower to cover most of the cost. I have a B2601 on the farm and love moving trailers around with the hitch ball on the front.

I was thinking ideally I’d rig a hitch ball on the front of the gr2120 so that I didn’t lose the ability to steer. I might try to do it on hydraulics so I could lift and lower a bit. I think they can lift a 250lb blower so thought it might work.

I know it’s not made for this and have read that over towing with the GR series can damage the transmission. Would this be as much of a concern if it’s just twice a year for 100 feet?

If you think the gr2120 can handle it, would it be better with the hitch on the front or the back?

would appreciate any thoughts or words of caution!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I looked and a GR2120 is a 2wd 17HP lawn tractor, that can have 1100# on the rear axle,though I didn't see a 'towing capacity' figure( real quik scan...), but 250# should be 'ok' BUT it's stopping and control(steering) you'll have to worry about.
probably need front weight,especially as it's a 'boat ramp', as steering is kinda important...
if you put ball up front, you'll lose traction.... also what weight can the front axle take ??and the tires !!
it's one of those 'looks good in the mind, disaster in real life' possiblities...

 

[BobbyD]

I looked and a GR2120 is a 2wd 17HP lawn tractor, that can have 1100# on the rear axle,though I didn't see a 'towing capacity' figure( real quik scan...), but 250# should be 'ok' BUT it's stopping and control(steering) you'll have to worry about.
probably need front weight,especially as it's a 'boat ramp', as steering is kinda important...
if you put ball up front, you'll lose traction.... also what weight can the front axle take ??and the tires !!
it's one of those 'looks good in the mind, disaster in real life' possiblities...

haha thanks. Yah it’s proooobably not a good idea. I was hoping people might suggest it’s worth a shot! Appreciate the response and thoughts.

 

[BobbyD]

I looked and a GR2120 is a 2wd 17HP lawn tractor, that can have 1100# on the rear axle,though I didn't see a 'towing capacity' figure( real quik scan...), but 250# should be 'ok' BUT it's stopping and control(steering) you'll have to worry about.
probably need front weight,especially as it's a 'boat ramp', as steering is kinda important...
if you put ball up front, you'll lose traction.... also what weight can the front axle take ??and the tires !!
it's one of those 'looks good in the mind, disaster in real life' possiblities...

Are you sure it is only 2wd? It doesn’t seem to specify on the kubota specs but searching in google seems to say it might be AWD…

 

[ve9aa]

On the flat, sure. On a ramp leading into/out of water, I wouldn't do it.

I think it's a lot like my TG1860 (might even be 4WD - sources vary) but if it's anything like mine, it doesn't have much for brakes.

Do you swim well?

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Hi folks,

New member, first post.

I have the opportunity to get a used GR2120 at a decent price from a friend.

I’m wondering if y’all think I’d be able to use it to launch and remove my pontoon boat and trailer? The boat is about 2000 lbs. Tongue weight is maybe 250 (I can deadlift up myself but it’s heavy).

I would only need to move it about 100 feet twice a year to get the boat in and out of the lake. Then I’d hook it to my truck. It is just a super tight corner getting the boat in and out and is a pain with the truck especially if the lawn isn’t dry and firm.

I’d keep this at the cottage and could sell my JD mower to cover most of the cost. I have a B2601 on the farm and love moving trailers around with the hitch ball on the front.

I was thinking ideally I’d rig a hitch ball on the front of the gr2120 so that I didn’t lose the ability to steer. I might try to do it on hydraulics so I could lift and lower a bit. I think they can lift a 250lb blower so thought it might work.

I know it’s not made for this and have read that over towing with the GR series can damage the transmission. Would this be as much of a concern if it’s just twice a year for 100 feet?

If you think the gr2120 can handle it, would it be better with the hitch on the front or the back?

would appreciate any thoughts or words of caution!

It’s not my machine or money, so take with a grain of salt. It’s clearly not made / marketed with what you are asking. I have no idea of the construction of you machine…it’s not made for that, correct? Could it do it? Only one way to definitively find out (be sure to take video) The main concerns I would have are:

1. Assuming you would use this on a ramp to put into the water, what type of traction you could really get (ramps usually slick)…if it is not on a ramp, more of bench / shore, if it would be soft I’d be worried about getting stuck (low ground clearance / belly mower less than ideal). Its rear wheel drive, correc? the best traction you would get and be able to use the rear wheel to drive either direction, especially on an incline is with the trailer in the rear…if on front I think you will lose traction on the rear drive wheels.

2. Transfer of tongue weight with a front hitch and trailer on some sort of incline likey would not be your friend, I think that would greatly reduce your traction….just my opinion.

If I understood your situation you don’t like back the boat in with a street vehicle, (tight quarters to navigate) correct? But you do like a front hitch? Why not put the front hitch on a truck or jeep or whatever you have? (They could easily handle a pontoon boat/ trailer) It’s a lot easier pushing with a front hitch than backing…be aware that means backing out with the trailer if that matters or not for your situation…not sure that is better or worse or even an option with your vehicles.

 

[BobbyD]

It’s not machine or money, so take with a grain of salt. It’s clearly not made / marketed with what you are asking. I have no idea of the construction of you machine…it’s not made for that, correct? Could it do it? Only one way to definitively find out (be sure to take video) The main concerns I would have are:

1. Assuming you would use this on a ramp to put into the water, what type of traction you could really get (ramps usually slick)…if it is not on a ramp, more of bench / shore, if it would be soft I’d be worried about getting stuck (low ground clearance / belly mower less than ideal). Its rear wheel drive, correc? the best traction you would get and be able to use the rear wheel to drive either direction, especially on an incline is with the trailer in the rear…if on front I think you will lose traction on the rear drive wheels.

2. Transfer of tongue weight with a front hitch and trailer on some sort of incline likey would not be your friend, I think that would greatly reduce your traction….just my opinion.

If I understood your situation you don’t like back the boat in with a street vehicle, (tight quarters to navigate) correct? But you do like a front hitch? Why not put the front hitch on a truck or jeep or whatever you have? (They could easily handle a pontoon boat/ trailer) It’s a lot easier pushing with a front hitch than backing…be aware that means backing out with the trailer if that matters or not for your situation…not sure that is better or worse or even an option with your vehicles.

this is extremely helpful, thanks. It’s just not wise and sometimes I need to be reminded of that! I’ve thought about front hitch on my truck. It’s a bit of a mod to get it done…I think a good sized UTV would be a great solution…if I can find the budget. I liked this because it was a good excuse to buy a good little machine for a good price, but it’s just not the right use. Thanks all!

 

[NCL4701]

I have done similar with this thing and a 1000lb boat putting it in and out of our pond. Used it prior to obtaining the Mule and L.

It’s a whopping 9HP 1950 something and it’s 2WD (the GR’s we saw at the dealership when we bought our T recently we’re all 4WD) but it has an old car axle under the back, R1 tires, and the front grill is a casting that weighs probably over 100lb by itself. Used it because it was too tight an area to use a truck, brakes work well on the Panzer, and brakes on the 9N were likely to result in the whole rig going into the pond. Despite significantly more HP, I seriously doubt the GR weighs any more than this thing, turf tires aren’t going to pull as well as R1’s on dirt/grass, and HP isn’t the question: THE question is how much torque can the machine apply to the ground. 2000lb boat hooked to a GR on a slope with a bunch of water at the bottom? I wouldn’t do it. If I did take a wild hair and try it, the rig would be roped/strapped/chained to a large vehicle or fixed object such as a tree with slack set such that if it got out of control it would be stopped before everything including the operator went swimming being that’s the most likely result.

I now much prefer to use the L or Mule to put the boat in and out of the pond.

For 2 times per year, I might put some thought into possibly putting front wheels on the trailer via one of those manual trailer mover things and rigging up a portable winch to winch it into place after getting it close enough with the truck. Don’t know the specifics of your layout; just a thought.

 

[BobbyD]

I have done similar with this thing and a 1000lb boat putting it in and out of our pond. Used it prior to obtaining the Mule and L.
View attachment 115835 It’s a whopping 9HP 1950 something and it’s 2WD (the GR’s we saw at the dealership when we bought our T recently we’re all 4WD) but it has an old car axle under the back, R1 tires, and the front grill is a casting that weighs probably over 100lb by itself. Used it because it was too tight an area to use a truck, brakes work well on the Panzer, and brakes on the 9N were likely to result in the whole rig going into the pond. Despite significantly more HP, I seriously doubt the GR weighs any more than this thing, turf tires aren’t going to pull as well as R1’s on dirt/grass, and HP isn’t the question: THE question is how much torque can the machine apply to the ground. 2000lb boat hooked to a GR on a slope with a bunch of water at the bottom? I wouldn’t do it. If I did take a wild hair and try it, the rig would be roped/strapped/chained to a large vehicle or fixed object such as a tree with slack set such that if it got out of control it would be stopped before everything including the operator went swimming being that’s the most likely result.

I now much prefer to use the L or Mule to put the boat in and out of the pond.

For 2 times per year, I might put some thought into possibly putting front wheels on the trailer via one of those manual trailer mover things and rigging up a portable winch to winch it into place after getting it close enough with the truck. Don’t know the specifics of your layout; just a thought.

thank you this is more of what I needed to hear to steer me away from yet another one of my bird brained ideas

 

[GreensvilleJay]

aw, come on, I really want to see video of you attempting at least one boat launch !
As othershave said it's TRACTION you have to be concerned aboat, er about.

usually grass is slippery near any shore, and lake bottom drops off where boat gets launched,so backing down into water may work, it's getting trailer and boat out and up might be the challenge.
another one of those 'have to be there, to see the lay of the land' deals.
I didn't read the GR2120 was 4wd and the driveshaft kinda implied it was just 2wd.It 'should' have the power ,but maybe not on steep slopes.It is after all a lawnmower NOT a garden tractor.
Would I try,of course ! test with empty trailer several 'run' to get feel for best way to do it.
Guy on Lake Erie bought a D-14 from me and has made a LOT of cash doing 'ins and outs'. seems 4wd 4 door pickups are afraid of the water.....

Love the PANZER !!!!!

 

[Runs With Scissors]

If I'm understanding this correctly, I would just pull it out with my truck, (cause pulling it out is going to be the most strain on the tow vehicle)

Then tow it to where the sharp corner is.

Then hook it to the GR and make the turn.

Done.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

dang the obvious solution is to buy a 2nd B2601 with MMM....