HorseFixer 2,012 #1 Posted April 20, 2017 Now common boys, you know there has been times that these Lil Red Tractors have called and beckoned to you at some point in time, And took them feet places that they might have not normally went! Tell the truth and fess up, We all know its an addiction. Now that I have it under control I can look back and laugh about it. I have 3 trips that I have taken that today I would consider to be a little over the top. I will start with the shortest and work my way up to the GRAND FINALE. This first trip was 414 mi one way or 818 round trip from Niles Mi to Des Moines, IA it was to pick up a 551 and a 1956 RJ 35 not a bad score right? Well by the time I add the Tow bill and the serpentine belt from a locked up air conditioning compressor that ended up bustin the wallet real good. add an overnight motel stay in there and fuel and as you can see the tractor costs were jacked up pretty high. I never recovered the cost's but so it goes in collecting. Many Many I have got for free or nearly free but some I have had to pay the Piper. I guess it all equals out in the end. On this trip I also picked up a Lawn Skiff and a set of 3 Gang Reel mowers. The tractors and reel mowers are long since gone and are faded memories. So common let's here um? don't hold back! 12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldlineman 1,481 #2 Posted April 20, 2017 (edited) I guess I'm a rookie but I have had just one trip for a NOS Wheel Horse 48" SD deck. The trip was about 3 hours each way and I didn"t break anything.But who knows what is in the future, or what lurks around the corner. Well HorseFixer we all know we can't take it with us so we might as well enjoy while we can, or in my case start giving to kids and grandkids, and yes great grandchild, i'm to young for that! Bob Edited April 20, 2017 by oldlineman 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,571 #3 Posted April 20, 2017 To support my other habit "Cockshutt farm tractors", I traveled from Redgranite WI to Niagra Falls Ontario Canada to purchase a Cockshutt 20 Deluxe. 750 miles one way. We left at 4:00am Central time on a Fri., and were loaded up & leaving with the tractor by 7:00pm Eastern time. Stopped in London Canada for some shut eye on our way back home. The next morning we were fortunate enough to speak with a Canada patrol officer , ended up donating some cash there. Then spent 4hrs at customs in Detroit. That was fun!! Finally made it back home around 4:00pm on Sat. Other than the fine that I had to pay & the wait in Detroit, it was not a bad trip. Well worth it to me to get a tractor that I wanted. 12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Texas Todd 1,025 #4 Posted April 20, 2017 (edited) About 1250 round trip to pick up a D-200 with Ark 550. Worth every mile. Not too many horses down here, so ya gotta travel to round em up! Edited April 20, 2017 by Texas Todd Pic added 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,012 #5 Posted April 20, 2017 2 hours ago, oldlineman said: I guess I'm a rookie but I have had just one trip for a NOS Wheel Horse 48" SD deck. The trip was about 3 hours each way and I didn"t break anything.But who knows what is in the future, or what lurks around the corner. Well HorseFixer we all know we can't take it with us so we might as well enjoy while we can, or in my case start giving to kids and grandkids, and yes great grandchild, i'm to young for that! Bob 40 minutes ago, Achto said: To support my other habit "Cockshutt farm tractors", I traveled from Redgranite WI to Niagra Falls Ontario Canada to purchase a Cockshutt 20 Deluxe. 750 miles one way. We left at 4:00am Central time on a Fri., and were loaded up & leaving with the tractor by 7:00pm Eastern time. Stopped in London Canada for some shut eye on our way back home. The next morning we were fortunate enough to speak with a Canada patrol officer , ended up donating some cash there. Then spent 4hrs at customs in Detroit. That was fun!! Finally made it back home around 4:00pm on Sat. Other than the fine that I had to pay & the wait in Detroit, it was not a bad trip. Well worth it to me to get a tractor that I wanted. 4 minutes ago, Texas Todd said: About 1250 round trip to pick up a D-200 with Ark 550. Worth every mile. Not too many horses down here, so ya gotta travel to round em up! Well Allrighty then ya got me beat on this one Nice stories, but you guy's are just Tickling me........ Where's the pictures? I'm sorry ya got a ticket but I mean I'd like a picture of you arm wrestling that MOUNTY EH? 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,012 #6 Posted April 20, 2017 32 minutes ago, Texas Todd said: About 1250 round trip to pick up a D-200 with Ark 550. Worth every mile. Not too many horses down here, so ya gotta travel to round em up! Nice Loader! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
obone 142 #7 Posted April 20, 2017 (edited) The misses and I drove from Marion, OH to Gaylord, MI just to pick up a dozer blade. It was 360 miles and 6 hours one way. Plus I hit a small cone in Michigan that busted my plastic guard under my car. There was the small problem that Google maps did not know that a few roads were never built and it wanted me to drive off a cliff and down a muddy lane that I could not even walk and I drive a Civic. Had to not stay long as it's a snow belt and it was falling. It was still fun and I got the blade that I didn't even use this winter. Told the lady this is the first of many trips. Edited April 21, 2017 by obone 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,012 #8 Posted April 20, 2017 (edited) 47 minutes ago, obone said: The misses and I drove from Marion, OH to Gaylord, MI just to pick up a dozer blade. It was 360 miles and 6 hours one way. Plus I hit a small cone in Michigan that busted my plastic guard under my car. There was the small problem that Google maps did not know that a few roads were never built and it wanted me to drive off a cliff and down a muddy lane that I could not even walk and I drive a Civic. Had to not stay long as it's a snow belt it snow was falling. It was still fun and I got the blade that I didn't even use this winter. Told the lady this is the first of many trips. You didn't happen to hit that cone in Ann Arbor did ya? Sorry forgive me I couldn't resist. Ya ever see how things are funny till it happens to you? Well Its been about 9 years since the Jeep ate that serpentine Belt and it took that long for me to laugh at myself. Edited April 20, 2017 by HorseFixer 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,571 #9 Posted April 20, 2017 1 hour ago, HorseFixer said: Where's the pictures? I'm sorry ya got a ticket but I mean I'd like a picture of you arm wrestling that MOUNTY EH? Sorry, I don't have any digital pics of the day we brought it home, but after two years of locating and acquiring parts. Then every weekend for six months on the restore. Here is a pic of the finished tractor. 22 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,012 #10 Posted April 20, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, Achto said: Sorry, I don't have any digital pics of the day we brought it home, but after two years of locating and acquiring parts. Then every weekend for six months on the restore. Here is a pic of the finished tractor. Well at least the Ole girl has some red on her and Linen Beige! I was gonna come up with some crack like (NO WONDER THAT COPPER GAVE YOU A TICKEY hauling a CockShutt) But looks like she cleaned up pretty nice! Edited April 20, 2017 by HorseFixer 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aldon 4,826 #11 Posted April 20, 2017 (edited) I will take the 5th on grounds that my statement will definitely incriminate me as being wholeheartedly addicted bordering on troubled! 12plus hours, 24plus round trip Edited April 20, 2017 by Aldon 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,815 #12 Posted April 20, 2017 890 one way to pick up an RJ... anyone recognize the destination!?!? 10 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,012 #13 Posted April 20, 2017 45 minutes ago, WHX11 said: 890 one way to pick up an RJ... anyone recognize the destination!?!? Nope! Never been to that place in my life! 8 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,222 #14 Posted April 20, 2017 My first road trip after retirement was great. I departed Fort Pierce, Florida to visit my Mom in Syracuse NY for a few days (1.300 miles) then on to LeRoy MI (570 miles) to pick up a RJ-58; next stop was Coldwater MI (220 miles) for a '57 RJ-35 then on to Danville KY (375 miles) to load a Suburban 400; then on to our newly acquired Franklin NC home (280 miles). Total of 2,745 miles. Had to remove the rear wheels of the '58 to get two RJs in the bed of the old '96 Dakota. I had the pleasure of meeting some real nice people along the way too. 12 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amcwheel85 2,059 #15 Posted April 20, 2017 953nut you pulled that tiny trailer that whole way? Crazy! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 55,222 #16 Posted April 20, 2017 11 minutes ago, Amcwheel85 said: you pulled that tiny trailer that whole way? The trailer was in the bed of the truck until I got to LeRoy MI. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 11,361 #17 Posted April 20, 2017 Just did a round trip of 650 miles for a snow cab, cause that's how bad I wanted one after all the snow I wore this last winter. And I don't even care it doesn't snow next winter because I bought one. Sooner or later it will all be worth it. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amcwheel85 2,059 #18 Posted April 20, 2017 (edited) 33 minutes ago, 953 nut said: The trailer was in the bed of the truck until I got to LeRoy MI. Lol ok! Man that would of been a hard trip for that little trailer. Plus I would be afraid of the horse falling off after the trailer bounced all over! Edited April 20, 2017 by Amcwheel85 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SALTYWRIGHT 859 #19 Posted April 20, 2017 CT TO FLA TO PICK UP A 520-8 WITH 16 HOURS. 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,815 #20 Posted April 20, 2017 That is a heck of a tour Richard! What better way to see the good ole US of A than a ride like that! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,012 #21 Posted April 21, 2017 (edited) My Second farthest tractor trip was from Niles to Marquette Michigan in the Upper Peninsula a 508 mile trip 1 way or round trip of 1016 miles. In search for wheel horse tractors back in May of 2008 I came across a guy who had a 1054 with Deck Wagon and Vac System. He was from South Bend and later moved to Marquette and ended up being a Deputy Sheriff for Marquette he worked up through the ranks and many years later retired from there. He then went back to work as Under-sheriff. When he found out that I worked for Berrien County Sheriffs Dept he gave it to me for free with the stipulation that I would buy him and his wife dinner after he gave us a tour of the town. My wife MaryJane went with me, and we had a good time we left early Friday and arrived that evening. The Next day we met Jack and his wife loaded up the tractor and spent the day with them site seeing then had dinner with them that evening. The next morning we left for home. Thank goodness the tractor and all was free because fuel was over 4.00 a gal I estimate the trip meals, fuel, motels cost me $700.00 so I guess nothing is free. Edited April 21, 2017 by HorseFixer 7 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
john7 162 #22 Posted April 21, 2017 (edited) Well I'm a little embarrassed, but if anyone will understand it's you guys. I drove from west Texas to Albany, NY. And it wasn't even for a tractor... it was for a dump cart, and a pile of one at that. Just over 4,000 miles round trip. I was able to see my grandmother on the way but I'd like that to stay between us. For some bizarre reason my family thinks that I drove all that way to see my grandma and that I found the dump cart along the way. Not sure how that happened! The good news is that I got it for $50. And my restoration turned out pretty good too. I wound up using a bed liner for the inside that I tinted with my red base, powder coated the wheels and got a new knob.. done! Nothin better than shiny red toys! Edited April 21, 2017 by john7 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,815 #23 Posted April 21, 2017 You went right through PA @john7 and didn't bring home a tractor?!?!?...hear tell there are some nice tractors in those parts ready for the pickens! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,012 #24 Posted April 21, 2017 8 hours ago, john7 said: Well I'm a little embarrassed, but if anyone will understand it's you guys. I drove from west Texas to Albany, NY. And it wasn't even for a tractor... it was for a dump cart, and a pile of one at that. Just over 4,000 miles round trip. I was able to see my grandmother on the way but I'd like that to stay between us. For some bizarre reason my family thinks that I drove all that way to see my grandma and that I found the dump cart along the way. Not sure how that happened! The good news is that I got it for $50 And my restoration turned out pretty good too. I wound up using a bed liner for the inside that I tinted with my red base, powder coated the wheels and got a new knob.. done! Nothin better than shiny red toys! Nice looking RJ Well this is one of those times when you say........... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
john7 162 #25 Posted April 21, 2017 (edited) 10 hours ago, WHX11 said: You went right through PA @john7 and didn't bring home a tractor?!?!?...hear tell there are some nice tractors in those parts ready for the pickens! I know this now! But at the time I was really new to the wheel horse thing and just didn't know about... well anything. I won't miss out the next time I go visit grandma, though😂!! Guaranteed! Edited April 21, 2017 by john7 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
