How do I make a tow truck tractor? Need ideas.

i'm thinking about building a tow truck type of mechanism for my tractor to tow around parts tractors, quads, etc.. any ideas?

Something like this maybe? I've also seen similar done with an atv winch.

^ haha nice strech tractor lol


i too was thinking of building a tow tractor for emergency romp break downs lol

problem with that idea is a stock length tractor will just lift the front wheels up trying to lift another mower up.. I usually just run a chain and pull the tractor to where i need it while somebody else steers on the tractor. if The transmission is gernaded in the broken down tractor i just drag them out

You could also build a 2-wheeled dolly to pull behind.

I have used the sleeve hitch on my Case 444 to pick and move tractors, I don't lift the whole tractor, just hook one end or the other and lift the wheels off the ground enough to move it. I don't think the weight is any more than a tiller attachment. Front weights will help if the pulling tractor front gets light on the steer axle. the wrecker boom idea is not the best way to go, think more along the idea of the wheel lift style to keep the center of gravity low.
Not gospel just my 2 cents.

The idea has already been thought of and developed by myself.. Check out these videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kufMV2HHwT4
There are more on my channel..

ive been just towing tractors with a chain and its kind of a hassle because the wheels always turn and i usually dont have any one to help me. i might build a sleeve hitch

Have you thought of putting a hand winch on the back of the tractor and putting a piece of 2x2 oe 3x3 square tubing on and angle with some pulleys for the winch cable to roll on and just use that. It would be like the sleeve hitch but it wouldn't be adjustable.

I have been kicking around the idea of making a car dolly type trailer with a winch, but have not really needed one because the 195 has a 3 point on it and I built a set of forks that will lift most of the throw away mowers. before that I used smaller version of the dune buggy style T bone trailer

W1ldyOvvnZ, i never really thought of doing somthing like that.... it sounds alot cheaper so ill look into it

11hpcrafstman wrote:

W1ldyOvvnZ, i never really thought of doing something like that.... it sounds alot cheaper so ill look into it

I got the idea from a Skidder thats around my house with a similar design but two peices of tubing and in a V shape with gussets all around.

this is what i built
boom on the back weight on the front

Jordan wrote:

this is what i built
boom on the back weight on the front

Thats pretty similar to what I was talking about but mine was even more basic:P

Yesterday i towed my merry a 1/2 mile back to the farm with nothing more than a small log chain and my crappy grass cutter.

...No problem...

When my dad grenaded his MTD tractor mowing down in the field a few years ago - i used a ratchet strap to hold the tractor front wheels off the ground and strapped securely to my craftsman , hauled it right up to the shed easily.