New Towmobile For Wide-Front Tractors

New Towmobile For Wide-Front Tractors TRACTORS Tractor Pulling 1-2-1 A new towmobile introduced by Unverferth Mfg., Kalida, Ohio, makes it easy to tow wide-front tractors ù with one or two implements attached to the tractor ù behind your pickup. It'll also handle most self-propelled combines. This low-cost alternative to expensive flatbed trailers is easy to load or unload. With the transport hitched behind your pickup, just turn off the engine, put it in gear and set the emergency brake. You then put down two 4 by 4 wooden blocks and drive the tractor (or combine) onto the transport so its wide front wheels drop into special wheel slots. The tractor axle is secured to the transport frame with a chain. The entire train ù pickup, transport, tractor and one or two implements ù can travel safely down the road at speeds up to 25 mph. "The farmer with land scattered over a wide area can transport his tractor and implements to the field, then have his pickup free to drive back and forth to headquarters until he's finished with a field," explains Dan Fanger, sales manager. In most cases, brakes are not required by law. However, brake flanges are furnished on the 2 in. spindle hub assembly so the purchaser has the option of installing brakes if desired, explains Fanger. He emphasizes that the tractor engine must be kept idling while being towed. This is to insure proper lubrication of the transmission and axles. "In transporting hydrostatic drive combines, you have to remove several bolts to disconnect the drive ù about a 5 minute job," says Fanger. "Combine engines don't have to be running during transport." The towmobile is equipped with center point, automotive type steering for easy maneuverability in tight corners. In towing a tractor, with one or two implements attached behind, you can turn sharper corners than the tractor operating independently can turn, explains Fanger. Two models are available ù an 86 in. wide unit (inside cradle measurement) for tractors with the front wheels set for 30 in. rows; and a 100 in. wide model for tractors whose front wheels are spaced for 40 in. rows, and for combines. Tractors with front wheels set for 30-in. rows can be towed, along with combines, on the 100-in, wide model. An optional, longer tongue is used for towing combines. For overall width, add 42 in. to the inside cradle measurement of either model. Both models each weigh approximately 850 lbs. and are rated at five tons capacity ù big enough to handle most wide front tractors with one or two implements attached to the tractor itself, and self-propelled combines, according to Fanger. The towmobile is low-slung and raises the front wheels of the tractor only about 6 in. off the ground. If the loaded trailer should happen to get hung up in a rut or on uneven ground, it's easy to get it unstuck, says Fanger: "Just put the tractor in neutral and aim the truck's front wheels in the desired direction of travel. Then, get on the tractor and put it in low gear and drive forward." The transport is equipped with a stabilizer bar to steady it when being towed empty. Retail cost of both models is $1,500. For more details, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Unverferth Mfg., Kalida, Ohio 45853 (ph. 419 532-3121).

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