Hauling tractor out of gear

60 acre hillside · Jul 25, 2011

Anybody been told to haul a tractor only in neutral position? I always hauled in lowest gear thinking it would give more resistance to rolling but I hear there is some controversy as some claim the driveline can be damaged by the constant movement.

rpirkle1 · Jul 25, 2011

Hi,

If you're hauling, I don't know what the conflict on 'constant movement ' would be. IF it's secured correctly the tractor isn't moving on the trailer. IF it isn't secured correctly or whatever is securing it breaks, I want as much resistance to it moving as I can get. Both of mine get secured in their lowest gear with the brakes set as tight as I can get them.

Whatever driveline damage they suffer if a chain/strap breaks and they try to roll is going to be less damage/headache than having one free roll off a trailer.

If you're towing, it should be in neutral.

Randy

Deere Scotty · Jul 25, 2011

Wow! This can turn into 50 answers real quick! What brand, model, age, transmission, How fast towing, how far towing, rough, or smooth terrain; You can begin to get the picture, & it doesnt stop here.

I dont think I would tow an older Hydro any farther than from a field to a barn. I remember a neighbor years ago pulled a JD "G" behind a vehicle, & hit a big hole in the road. He said the tires bounced, & he beleived it caused the transmission to try sliding into gear. A JD 4430, & the like with quad range transmission will not go into gear unless there is hydraulic pressure; But you still cant go past the maximum normal (20mph +/-) speed because the brakes build pressure, & blow brake lines which then drain the tranmission, & ruin it! On the IH Hydro Someone correct me if I am wrong.

If You tell us the tractor?; then maybe get a shorter answer!

Deere Scotty · Jul 25, 2011

Prehaps I misunderstood in the previous post. I beleived You were TOWING, & NOT HAULING!

Greenday · Jul 25, 2011

old myth

Ken Macfarlane · Jul 25, 2011

Transporting I always leave in gear and set the brakes. Doesn't help on my big massey as with out the engine running the reverser clutch packs lose pressure after 20 minutes of the engine being off.

Learned that after parking on a hill one day.

37chief · Jul 25, 2011

I always leave my tractors in gear. I have always wondered if it rolls foreward just enough to snap the mag and start the motor? one of my tractors has the kill switch on the mag. Stan

old · Jul 25, 2011

It is and has been said many times that hauling one in gear can in fact be hard on the transmission. Is it true or false I do not know. I have hauled them both ways and never had any problem doing it either way. If chained down the correct way and checked as they should be every number of miles then doing it or out of gear should not matter. My self most of the time I do not leave them in gear can not see why I should since I also do not park any of my tractors in gear either

Mike (WA) · Jul 25, 2011

Believe rpirkle1 has it right- no movement at all under normal circumstances, but in an emergency, I want everything possible holding that rig on the trailer.

Now, Rich, I'm surprised you leave in neutral when parked. Guess it was always drummed into me to leave in gear, but I suppose it doesn't matter on level ground. But when I was in Missouri, lots of rolling country, as I recall.

As far as starting in gear, its just instinctive with me to put it in neutral before starting. Which comes, of course, from having left it in gear when I shut it off. Kind of a "goes around, comes around" deal.

pete 23 · Jul 25, 2011

It seems to me a few tractors lost some teeth when in park being transported by rail. Lot of models depend on hydraulic pressure to prevent rolling in at least one direction while in gear.

fixerupper · Jul 25, 2011

I would think tractor gears would be tough enough to take it. Jim

gene bender · Jul 25, 2011

When you have the tractor chained down fast it doesent move i always haul them in gear and brakes locked been doing it that way for many years.

thegooseisloose · Jul 25, 2011

Haul in gear and tow in neutral.

buickanddeere · Jul 25, 2011

Depends.Ask some folk here about not reading the operator's manual and towing a 4020 in neutral instead of in tow.

Will Herring · Jul 25, 2011

(quoted from post at 19:54:10 07/25/11) Depends.Ask some folk here about not reading the operator's manual and towing a 4020 in neutral instead of in tow.

Some tractors, like 4430s, have a "TOW" position -- at least on the quad range shift model we had.

Hauling tractor out of gear

60 acre hillside

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rpirkle1

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Deere Scotty

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Greenday

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old

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