New Low-Cost Way To Tow Equipment

New Low-Cost Way To Tow Equipment MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous 2-6-6 An all-purpose Ag-Tote-Al introduced by Al's Custom Welding, of Sheldon, Iowa, makes it easy to tow tractors (wide or narrow front end), combines, windrowers or skid-steer loaders behind your pickup. It will handle tractors with implements mounted or hitched behind and comes equipped with an optional winch for loading disabled equipment. It also can be used to tow most any car, truck or pickup behind your pickup. "It's built strong to handle a lot of weight. It'll handle the biggest two wheel drive tractor, and most any self propelled combine, including Deere's 7700," Al Horton, inventor and manufacturer, told FARM SHOW. Equipment is loaded (and unloaded) via two portable ramps. Once the machine is loaded, the ramps are picked up and tossed into the back of the pickup, or carried on the AgTote-Al platform. Horton notes that most new tractors have pressurized rear ends and should be towed with the engine running to insure porper lubrication of the transmission and rear axles. In transporting hydrostatic drive combines, Horton recommends disconnecting the drive, which involves removing several bolts and only takes a few minutes. "The transport turns sharp corners, has good maneuveribility and good trailering ability down the road. Depending on the implement being towed, it can be moved down the road loaded at 20 to 35 mph.", explains Horton. Cost of the basic unit is $990, including the optional 2,500 lb. winch, Other options include an extension hitch for towing combines, and signal lights. Units designed for handling windrowers have to be special ordered to fit the owner's particular make and model. "Every windrower is different. We need to know the make and wheel width of the drive axle," says Horton, who charges $200 extra for modifying an Ag-Tote-All to also transport windrowers. Units adapted for transporting windrowers will handle three skid-steer loaders whereas standard models handle only two. In towing tractors, the transport carrier raises the front wheel only about 3 in. off the ground. This "low profile" allows tractors with equipment mounted behind to be towed without having to worry about the equipment hitting the ground as the front of the tractor is raised. The transport itself isn't equipped with brakes, according to Horton: "Brakes generally aren't required for the type of towing for which the transport is designed". For more details, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Al's Custom Welding, Sheldon, Iowa 51201 (ph.324-4989 or box 24 IA).

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