Moving heavy trailer with BX

[mike-ss]

Hi Everyone,

I’m aware the manual says 2500lbs is the max towing weight (BX23S) but has anyone used a BX to move a heaver trailer like a camper around 4000lbs? If so, how did you attach the hitch (loader, backhoe, frame receiver)

Thanks!

 

[N3BP]

You can probably get away with it if you're on solid level ground. If you're on any type of grade, you're asking for trouble. Attach to drawbar only.

 

[rc51stierhoff]

When I had a BX I moved fiberglass boats (22-25’) on tandem axle trailers for storage in my barn…(it’s not the right machine for that but it’s better than wrestling it by hand). I used both a front hitch welded into an aftermarket grill guard as well as 3 pt hydraulics with a 3pt trailer hitch on. Personally if planning on using the drawbar I’d be more worried about the tongue weight. I’m sure it is not the safest way, but using the 3 pt allows you to not only balance but also take some weight off the front axle to help when backing / turning a tandem axle…if lift too high it will lift rear of the tractor so be advised it’s not the safest / recommended way. Hills will not work out well with that machine and a trailer that heavy. I don’t recall the tongue weight rating for my BX, but it’s listed in the manual I suspect. The drawbar on a BX is lower than most trailers would balance out which is a less than ideal position as it will put more pressure on the drawbar. If just moving or parking on flat concrete, If worried leave the jack down assuming it has a wheel…that’s better than pushing down on the drawbar if you can’t balance it. Keep the rubber side down.

 

[BigG]

This would keep the weight off the tractor. Use 4x4 low and stay off the slopes.

Robot or human?

 

[GreensvilleJay]

towing isn't the real problem it's STOPPING !!!!
I've pulled/pushed using the pallet forks ,less than 100' on 'reasonable' gravel ground, 4WD, low range, LOTS of times...just go slow and be careful.
One year I made a 'tow truck' adapter for the backhoe, fits in the 'thumb' location, super handy to tow dead riders home from neighbours,so maybe 200# on the hook. Saves taking the BH off !

 

[DustyRusty]

Make sure that you have KTAC insurance on your tractor and Blue Cross on your body before you even start thinking about doing such a foolish thing with a BX23S. It is a sub-compact tractor, not a CAT!

 

[The Evil Twin]

I'll just say that I decided against doing what you are asking.
I'm an adrenaline junkie and risk taker but still decided that moving the toy hauler with my L was not a good idea. Our driveway is relatively flat, and still decided to just use the truck.

 

[shelkol]

I did. I moved a 24' travel trailer around with the BX. I had a hitch adapter on my 3 point hitch, A ball on the loader may not be able to pick up the trailer tongue due to weight. Remember the bakes on the BX are not great so only do this on level ground

 

[hagrid]

It is a sub-compact tractor glorified lawn mower, not a CAT!

Quite agree, quite agree...

 

[Henro]

I pulled a lot of loads of dirt with my single axle dump trailer that is rated at 3500 pounds. I’m sure it was at the max capacity but it was only on my property and I pulled it with my BX.

But I pulled it on the level or up hill. Sometimes my front wheels would lift off the ground because the tractor was pulling so hard. But it worked.

Flat surface I would not hesitate to move something. Going downhill I would hesitate moving what I moved up hill.

Just my experience. Be careful whatever you do.

 

[GrizBota]

Keep in mind, just becuase someone else did it, doesn’t make it a good idea or safe. I know of a drunk guy that crossed the Interstate at night in a section of 100k + ADT and he didn’t get hit. Still probably not a good idea or safe. I know of others that were cleaned up with a shovel and a power washer.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Hi Everyone,

I’m aware the manual says 2500lbs is the max towing weight (BX23S) but has anyone used a BX to move a heaver trailer like a camper around 4000lbs? If so, how did you attach the hitch (loader, backhoe, frame receiver)

Thanks!

Not nearly as ambitious as the guy over on Yesterdays Tractors. He wants to know if his old 8N has enough grunt to perform yard tug duty on this little heifer. She clocks in at a svelte 40,000 pounds....

Dan

 

[BAP]

Not nearly as ambitious as the guy over on Yesterdays Tractors. He wants to know if his old 8N has enough grunt to perform yard tug duty on this little heifer. She clocks in at a svelte 40,000 pounds....

Dan

View attachment 108436

Divide that weight by 4 and you will have a more accurate weight. Combines are big but they don’t pick up 20 tons on the front.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

headers probably around 5,000 from a quik look on the net...
8N can easily pull it
used my BXX23s to push a 20' seacan straight while on a 'tilt and load' 2 years ago.
providing you've got traction and gears, you don't need a lot of HP.
heck some guy pulled a PLANE with a rope decades ago.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Divide that weight by 4 and you will have a more accurate weight. Combines are big but they don’t pick up 20 tons on the front.

Yes, it seems the man had his weight wrong.

Dan

 

[ve9aa]

You can probably get away with it if you're on solid level ground. If you're on any type of grade, you're asking for trouble. Attach to drawbar only.

THIS.

Stopping will be your problem, not "getting going"

 

[Mowbizz]

I have a BX25D. Used to own a “Four Winns” 18 ft bow rider.
I needed to service the boat and had a front mounted trailer hitch on the BX.
Tongue weight would’ve no problem but pushing the boat up my sloped driveway to reach power and a water hose was another story.
I hitched the trailer to the BX front hitch ball and moving it on the flat was a piece of cake. I backed up and pointed the load up the driveway hill. I had the BX in LOW SPEED and the 4WD locked in and set the rpm’s to 3000.
The BX easily pushed the boat up the hill though I was puckering all the way.
After I did what I needed to, the downhill trek began. Again, with all my senses awake, she went down as easy as she went up. NOT something I would attempt to itch any regularity. I got away with it once and that was enough for me.

 

[N3BP]

With regard to the comment about towing planes, Kubota at one point manufactured a B9200 airline tug. They had no rear pto or 3-point, but were fitted with a special pintle hitch. I wish I could find the pic of one tugging a a roughly 170,000LB 727! Goes to show you what something small can tow when you remove tongue weight from the equation....

 

[2drx4]

Has anyone that's done this sort of foolish thing added a trailer brake controller or a switch to activate the trailer brakes to their tractor?

Asking for a friend that has a B7100 and wants to be able to move his trailers around with it and not die.

 

[N3BP]

Has anyone that's done this sort of foolish thing added a trailer brake controller or a switch to activate the trailer brakes to their tractor?

Asking for a friend that has a B7100 and wants to be able to move his trailers around with it and not die.

Need more specifics on the size and weight of trailer being moved, but overall not advisable given the size and weight of a B7100. You'll need a quick escape plan in the event the tail starts waggin' the dog....