Moving vehicles and utility trailer about property - how best?

[afinepoint]

At times I need to move a vehicle or small utility trailer empty and full about the grassy yard. Lawn tractors are apparently undersized and I've no need for a compact tractor.

I've seen tools about the size of a walk behind mower that use car batteries that can move large camper trailers about but that is on a paved surface. I suppose the tires would spin in dirt or grass.

For the moment i use an electric winch but it usefulness is limited by the length of the extension cord. The come along is impractical.

The budget doesn't allow thousands. $2k max.

 

[CraigStu]

I have what I guess would be classified as a large lawn tractor. Like the largest you might find at Lowes or HD. It has no problem moving my 900# 5' x 10' utility trailer. Even w/ 50" sections of 12-14" tree trunk it can still move it across the lawn.

 

[charbar]

How big of vehicles?

Used 4 wheeler?

 

[Shiftless]

For the moment i use an electric winch but it usefulness is limited by the length of the extension cord.

Have you considered a 12 volt winch hooked up to an extra car battery?

 

[Codyboy]

I have used my lawnmower to move my 16ft tandem axle trailer , even with a light load on it. I just make sure there's not too much tongue weight.


For my RV or my 20ft 14k trailer i use the tractor.

 

[Codyboy]

How are you using a winch to move a trailer unless it has a wheel on the landing gear?

 

[afinepoint]

How big of vehicles?

Used 4 wheeler?

2800 lbs. Would be a great excuse for a 4 wheeler. Could do other things. But sadly those like tractors are price prohibited. I'd like to stay around $2k or less.

 

[afinepoint]

I move the trailer with a hand dolly if empty. No way if with a load.

 

[afinepoint]

How are you using a winch to move a trailer unless it has a wheel on the landing gear?

A three wheeled dolly supports the trailer tongue. I can pull by hand if empty. For the auto I use a spiral stake planted in the dirction I need to go.

 

[PCustoms]

Why are you dragging these around the yard so much?

 

[gtae07]

Go big or go home, it's the GJ way...

 

[472scout]

Keeping broke cars and trailers on your grass sounds like a self-inflected pain in the ****. You don't have room for a gravel parking lot I take it.

A lawn tractor or riding mower will have trouble moving a vehicle unless the conditions are ideal. Damp grass, holes and bumps, or up hill and you'll be spinning tires and tearing up your yard. A trailer is less of a problem due to tongue weight on the mower tires. Keep in mind that a lawn tractor is much more suited to that weight than a riding mower, but are a lot more money typically.

$2k is bottom of the barrel, but you can find a 4wd Four Wheeler for that price.

 

[IMCA38]

2800 lbs. Would be a great excuse for a 4 wheeler. Could do other things. But sadly those like tractors are price prohibited. I'd like to stay around $2k or less.

I made this attachment for around $200. Works like a dream.


Won‘t mention the cost of the skid steer.

 

[charbar]

$2k is bottom of the barrel, but you can find a 4wd Four Wheeler for that price.

That's what I was trying to get at for the OP. 2k isn't going to get a new and pretty 1000cc 4 wheeler but it will get you something that is more than capable of pulling things around the yard. I actually just jumped on my local FBMP and it brought up a pile of four wheelers that don't look too bad for under $2k.

 

[Hooked]

Look for a used gas powered golf cart. I use mine to drag my trailers around for cleaning up cut down trees, spreading dirt around the property, hauling lumber, etc.
I found a 1998 lifted EZGO with a blown motor several years ago for $1200, just needed a piston and cleaned up crank. Best use was dropping off and picking up grandson from school (principle insisted I add a seat belt....ha). It gets used a lot.

 

[Codyboy]

Why are you dragging these around the yard so much?

Maybe for mowing.
I need to weld on a receiver to my bucket so when im bush hogging i can move trailers out of the way.
Or just spray herbicide in and around those trailers.

 

[Redraptor]

Look for a used gas powered golf cart. I use mine to drag my trailers around for cleaning up cut down trees, spreading dirt around the property, hauling lumber, etc.

Thia is probably the best solution if you can find a utility cart for $2k that doesn't need work. I bought this for $2500 some years ago and used it for everything including plowing snow. It's made by Ingersol so there's a Bobcat version too.

 

[mike93lx]

F350

Are you looking for us to help you justify a certain purchase? If so, we got you,just need to know what we are working with.

If you have a lawn tractor, use that. If empty, it will pull the trailer fine and if loaded, try to get the balance right to keep tongue weight down

 

[djbmw]

I'll use the tractor (or SUV) to move our 6.5k RV, 4k lb boat and 2.2k tandem axle vehicle trailer. If its our smaller utility trailers (sub 1k lb) then i'll still use the tractor OR ATV.... or just push/pull the thing using the trailer gate/ramps.

 

[CraigStu]

Funny you should mention tongue weight Mike. I once got my tractor and trailer loaded w/ tree trunk pieces and tried to get it up the slight incline of our backyard. I always went around the perimeter to avoid the septic field so a long arc path. All was well until about 20ft into the arc when I realized that the front tires had so little weight on them that it wouldn't turn. Got my wife to sit on top front of the engine cover to give me steering traction. The hitch ball is < 10" behind the rear axle but enough tongue weight makes the rear axle the fulcrum to lift the front tires. Glad no neighbors were watching.

 

[IMCA38]

Funny you should mention tongue weight Mike. I once got my tractor and trailer loaded w/ tree trunk pieces and tried to get it up the slight incline of our backyard. I always went around the perimeter to avoid the septic field so a long arc path. All was well until about 20ft into the arc when I realized that the front tires had so little weight on them that it wouldn't turn. Got my wife to sit on top front of the engine cover to give me steering traction. The hitch ball is < 10" behind the rear axle but enough tongue weight makes the rear axle the fulcrum to lift the front tires. Glad no neighbors were watching.

 

[finn]

I use the Teryx side by side, but yo’d have to add a zero to your budget for a good one.

it doesn’t have a turf mode, so there’s usually some tearing up of the lawn involved, but the grass recovers nicely.

Those battery powered ”tongue jackers” seem like they would be ok for hard paved surfaces, but problematic on grass or uneven surfaces. I’ve seen old snowblowers cut down and repurposed for moving trailers, but have to question how well that actually works, given the drive mechanism and CG.

 

[Smilodon]

I had an old link for a company called "power movers" that had an entire range of electric pullers, including off road and large commercial pullers with brakes. I was going to post it here, but it looks like they are no longer in business.

I was fortunate that the property I inherited came with both the utility trailer and a Kawasaki Mule with a hitch at both ends. During the clean up process, I've used it extensively.

 

[carcruse]

I use my Polaris to move vehicles from my storage building to shop with a tow strap and use the hitch on it to move trailers. you should be able to find a good used one in your price range.

 

[finn]

35 or 36?

 

[leadfoot415]

I have 2 Kawasaki Brute Force 750s that both have 2" hitch receivers on them... will move any of my small utility trailers(4x6, 5x8) loaded down, my enclosed single axle trailer empty (store them in it), and the old clamshell snowmobile trailer I use for storage.

I tried moving my uncles haulotte 51ft spider lift trailer (4300ish lbs), and it was WAY too much tongue weight . Needed the pickup.

 

[LXCam]

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With some different tires??

 

[dcg9381]

The budget doesn't allow thousands. $2k max.

ATV? Probably has more tow capacity than my 1981 Toyota. I "mostly" tow with a Polaris, but 1500 lbs is nothing... It's the in and out of the parking situation that matters. In 1/2 ton, hella maneuverability with a front hitch.


Or seriously: Cut a deal with the neighbors... If they have the equipment.

 

[JuncleJohn]

Small SUV with a hitch, Ford 9N. Deals come up occasionally in your price range.

John

 

[mikedodge]

My garden tractors have never had any issue moving utility trailers. Cars are a different story.

 

[Junkman]

Funny you should mention tongue weight Mike. I once got my tractor and trailer loaded w/ tree trunk pieces and tried to get it up the slight incline of our backyard. I always went around the perimeter to avoid the septic field so a long arc path. All was well until about 20ft into the arc when I realized that the front tires had so little weight on them that it wouldn't turn. Got my wife to sit on top front of the engine cover to give me steering traction. The hitch ball is < 10" behind the rear axle but enough tongue weight makes the rear axle the fulcrum to lift the front tires. Glad no neighbors were watching.

The Kubota B21 is probably one of the best tractors a homeowner can own! They are worth more today than they cost new!

 

[onewheat]

I recently bought one of these for jockeying my trailers around - 18' open car trailer, 20' enclosed trailer, and my MasterCraft X-25. It's much easier indoors than trying to maneuver tightly with a Crew-Cab Standard Bed pickup truck. They state up to a 6% grade and are also good for grass and gravel - although I haven't tried yet.

Parkit360° Force Trailer Dolly

 

[carcruse]

35 or 36?

35

 

[afinepoint]

Why are you dragging these around the yard so much?

Beyond the scope of the question. No trolling please.

 

[afinepoint]

I recently bought one of these for jockeying my trailers around - 18' open car trailer, 20' enclosed trailer, and my MasterCraft X-25. It's much easier indoors than trying to maneuver tightly with a Crew-Cab Standard Bed pickup truck. They state up to a 6% grade and are also good for grass and gravel - although I haven't tried yet.

Parkit360° Force Trailer Dolly

I've seen these as I mentioned. I've only seen them on paved lots. For the trailer it would be great but towing a car? Hmmm, don't know about that as they need the/a weighted tongue.

 

[racecougar]

I'm with the ATV camp here. You shouldn't have trouble picking one up for less than $2k on FB Marketplace.

 

[afinepoint]

Car and trailer guys. Not just trailer.

 

[afinepoint]

I'm with the ATV camp here. You shouldn't have trouble picking one up for less than $2k on FB Marketplace.

Thanks. I'll look around. I appreciate all of the good feedback.

 

[mike93lx]

Car and trailer guys. Not just trailer.

Unless you reposition the car on the trailer, tongue weight is going to be a problem for most small equipment

 

[BobnCO]

Why are you dragging these around the yard so much?

If not, then you’re just running a junk yard!!