old garden tiller conversion to trailer mover

[tashasdaddy]

I have an old sears garden tiller, no garden anymore. comtemplating, removing the counter weight from the front, and putting a plate with a ball on it. My boats are stored in a grassy area need to be move to mow. has anybody tried it or seen it. Have been moving boats with riding mower but it really eats up the belts.

 

[gewf631]

Re: old garden tiller conversion to trailer mover

Don't see why it wouldn't work, as long as the converted tiller is heavy enough to give the traction needed.
The tillers I've used are belt driven, but they're designed for lots of torque, so belt wear shouldn't be a problem. My only concern is that they're really not a smooth-engaging equipment - either it's in drive, or it's not. So, there might be some jerking/lurching as you start moving your boat(s).

 

[bassboy1]

Re: old garden tiller conversion to trailer mover

If you are somewhat of a gearhead try changing the belt driven lm to a chain driven mower. Might give mowing disadvantages but if it is set aside for just moving trailers it should work. I dont know... just a thought.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: old garden tiller conversion to trailer mover

I've moved my boat around with a small rider and have learned:

It's not just the 'going', but also the stopping. If you've got any kind of grade to contend with things could get out of control rather easily.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: old garden tiller conversion to trailer mover

my mover has good brakes, the problem is the tires spin, when the trailers have settled from rain. tiller is geared much lower, and has tractor type wheels, and is much heavier than the rear of the mower.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: old garden tiller conversion to trailer mover

I've struggled with the very same question but for a different reason. My driveway is long and twisty with bad sightlines and the parking area is too narrow to turn around with a regular vehicle and trailer. I wondered about maybe an old ATV but I don't know if it would be geared low enough. I do like the garden tiller idea.

Or maybe a little Ford 8N tractor with a ball on the front...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: old garden tiller conversion to trailer mover

scout, for the long drive way , mount a hitch on the front of your tow vehicle. i've had one on the front of every one of my trucks, just a larger angle bolted where the tags goes, with a ball. makes manuvering the trailer so much easier. i' had to come up the driveway and around the house, now we've retire and down to 1 vehicle, and down sized the residence, and lot, very tight quarters for boats.

 

[Autotech1]

Re: old garden tiller conversion to trailer mover

Ok, lets say you hace a mower with a belt drive, tensioner/clutch running into manual transaxle. Ive seen this config before.

pull the belt and pulleys off.

go to northern tool and get a centrifugal clutch, chain and rear sprocket to fit the transaxle.

you can even gear it down slightly.

This way u just select your gear (no clutch pedal) and hammer down.

to upshift, let up slightly and pull outta gear. let motor spin down enough for clutch to disingage and grab next gear.

No slipping belts and its almost an automatic.

AUTOSTICK.

You can add weights to the rear for traction also.

Also using go-cart parts from northern you can add front breaks for stopping power.

If you do this be sure to send royalt check. lol

 

[Mark42]

Re: old garden tiller conversion to trailer mover

I've posted this before, but I'll post it again for the benefit of newer members with my updated experience using this setup.

This sears tractor is 18hp twin opposed briggs with 3 speed trans w/hi-low shift. I added a tow ball and bracket to the back. The boat and trailer weigh in around 1600 lbs.

There is no problem pulling the boat using only about 1/4 throttle. The tractor tires grip even on wet grass uphill pulls. What I noticed was that stopping on a grassy down hill at speeds over 4mph will tend to skid the tires. Running in low in 2nd gear (about 2 or 3 mph) gives more than enough engine braking on the downhill, and then the regular brakes kick in just fine to bring the whole thing to a stop with no problem. I can run on pavement in high in 3rd no problem, and the brakes work OK, but the added weight makes the stopping distance 5 or 6x longer.

BTW, I don't know how much this small tractor weighs, but I can not even begin to lift the front wheels off the ground.

Bottom line is this size tractor has the gearing and torque to easily move this trailer and something much larger. Just do it in first or second gear at walking speeds.

 

[Autotech1]

Re: old garden tiller conversion to trailer mover

If your boat has trailer brakes you could even rig up a controller.

 

[battery]

Re: old garden tiller conversion to trailer mover

I pull my 15ft-60 hp Peterbourough boat around no problem with my honda 250 big red. it's great for backing up as well.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: old garden tiller conversion to trailer mover

We just use the dolly jack and good ole' muscle.