How Do You Transport a Small Tractor?

Have you recently bought a new tractor to assist your agricultural needs? Or maybe you are looking to invest in a garden tractor. Perhaps you've just sold your tractor, and you're now wondering how to move it to its new owner. If so, you've come to the right place.

This post will look at different ways to transport a small tractor while keeping safety regulations and cost in mind. We will also learn why driving your tractor to a new location is not a good idea, irrespective of how short the distance is.

A much better option would be to enlist the services of a trusted shipping company that specializes in agricultural machinery so that you can ensure your tractor reaches its destination in the best possible condition.

Let's dig into how you can make your tractor transportation a breeze by first looking at what not to do.

Why You Should Not Drive Your Tractor Across Long Distances

While a small tractor may seem viable for self-transport, especially over a short distance, this method of moving your tractor comes with considerable drawbacks.

For starters, tractors are slow. Most tractor models will only hit the 25mph mark, which means your journey will take a lot longer than it should. Added to this is the lack of fuel efficiency in tractors. Not only will it take you longer to get to the destination, but it will also cost you more in fuel expenditure.

There is also the risk of the tractor tipping over if its center of gravity is disturbed. This usually occurs when the tractor's stability baseline is off, such as when going up a steep slope.

While tractors are designed to overcome this problem in agricultural applications, there is more risk to others when the tractor is traveling on a public road. In addition, the reaction time that a tractor can enact is much slower than other vehicles, meaning there is little leeway to mitigate an accident.

Tractors do not have the safety mechanisms that other general motor vehicles do. There are no airbags in the event of a crash, and a safety harness is often lacking. Smaller tractors seldom have a closed cabin, increasing the risk of injury in a road accident.

These safety factors are tied to legal requirements on public roads. The tractor may be too slow for the minimum speed limit on major highways, and the weight and height of the tractor may also exceed what is acceptable on certain roads.

The safest way to transport a tractor is through secondary transport and a good tractor shipping company, which we will get to soon.

Factors to Consider Before You Move Your Tractor

There are some things to remember to move your small tractor safely and securely.

1. Assess the condition of your tractor before shipping. This may seem obvious, but this step is often overlooked. Take careful notes of any damages to your tractor (particularly if it to a tractor specialist for repairs) so that you can determine whether there was any additional harm during the transit phase. This step in the process will also allow you to determine who is liable for any damage.
2. Choose the correct type of trailer for transport. There are several options for moving a tractor safely. We'll get into more detail on this below.
3. Make use of suitable securing methods, and double-check your tie-down points. It's vital to fasten the tractor properly. At the same time, check that the weight and load are evenly distributed. Tractors are considerably heavy, and improper fastening of the tractor to the transport can pose a considerable risk to other road users.
4. Make sure you have the required permits and documentation needed to transport heavy machinery. Whether you are simply crossing city lines or moving interstate, it's essential to take note of the overweight and oversized permits required to transport your tractor legally.
5. Compare before and after-delivery notes. Once your tractor has been delivered, assess it again for any damages that may have occurred during transport.

Standard Modes of Tractor Transport

There are three main shipping options that you can use to move your small tractor from one location to another. The type of transport will depend on the size of your tractor, how far you need to go, and the route that will be taken to get there.

Let's look at the most frequently used types of tractor transport.

Flatbed trailer

A flatbed trailer is designed to haul oversized and overweight cargo, such as farming equipment and tractors. Considered a reliable delivery method, the flatbed allows for easy and safe load securement, while the ramp makes getting the tractor onto the trailer more convenient.

However, your tractor will likely be exposed to outside elements such as rain, hail or snow due to the lack of sides, roof, or walls. This may be a great concern depending on where your tractor will be traveling.

Step-deck trailer

Due to its design, which includes a lower deck and a raised section at the back, step-deck trailers are a firm favorite for transporting tractors and other heavy machinery.

And here's why. Step-deck trailers are more stable than flatbeds and can decrease the risk of height-clearance concerns. They also allow for easier loading and unloading onto the trailer deck, and most step-deck trailers have multiple tie-down points to secure your tractor.

Shipping container

Especially in the case of international transport, a shipping container offers the kind of protection that can't be found in the other two methods mentioned above. That is, if your tractor is small enough to fit into a 20-foot standard container.

Shipping containers are becoming more and more popular as a mode of transport, owing to the security they offer, as well as the ability to protect your load from extreme weather conditions.

If shipping overseas, it's advised to enlist the services of a reputable shipping company that knows what regulations to follow to ship to different countries.

Wrapping Up

Moving your small tractor to a different location takes considerable planning and expertise so that the transport can be done safely and according to regulations.

As mentioned above, a reliable shipping company can handle all aspects of the shipping process, including special permits you may need to transport your tractor.

One such company is A1 Auto Transport. Our specialized team, with years of industry experience, is standing by to give you an affordable quote on shipping your small tractor.