Tractor Shipping

At booking, provide the tractor’s year, make, model, and horsepower rating along with its overall width (measured at the widest point, including rear tires), transport height (with cab if applicable), and operating weight. If the tractor has a front-end loader, include the loader in the width and height measurements in the carry position. For tractors with dual rear wheels, measure the full width across both wheels on each side.

Large agricultural tractors with wide rear tire configurations frequently exceed 8.5 feet in width, which triggers permit requirements in every state on the route. Providing the actual measured width (not the manufacturer’s nominal tire size) ensures the permit assessment is correct before the carrier is dispatched. An incorrectly quoted width that is discovered at a weigh station mid-route creates delays and potential compliance issues that accurate booking information prevents entirely.

If the tractor has a front-end loader, lower the bucket to the carry position before the carrier arrives, typically a few inches off the ground with the bucket angled back to the carry tilt. The loader must not be in the raised position during transport. A raised loader shifts the tractor’s center of gravity forward and upward, which affects trailer weight distribution and creates a clearance hazard at any overhead obstruction on the route.

Confirm that the loader’s hydraulic system is holding the bucket in the carry position without drifting. Loader hydraulics that slowly drift down during transit can cause the bucket to contact the trailer deck or, if left fully raised, drift into a position that creates a clearance issue. If the loader has a transport lock or hydraulic valve lockout, engage it before pickup to prevent any hydraulic drift during the move.

Lower the three-point hitch to its lowest position before transport and confirm it is in the lowered position. A raised three-point hitch with an implement attached increases the tractor’s height and can create clearance issues on the carrier trailer, particularly on lowboy configurations where vertical clearance above the trailer deck is limited. If the hitch has a transport lock, engage it.

For tractors with rear-mounted implements (finish mowers, tiller units, or planter equipment attached at the three-point hitch), assess whether the implement should be removed before transport. Large rear implements increase the tractor’s overall length significantly and can affect the trailer’s legal length limits on some states. Removing detachable rear implements and shipping them separately on the same carrier is often the most practical approach for wide or long implement configurations.

Before transport, fold in or remove any components that extend the tractor’s transport width beyond its standard measurement. This includes folding ROPS (roll-over protection structures) on tractors equipped with the folding version, removing wide-stance wheel spacers if the tractor will be transported without them, and folding any external mirror extensions or cab steps that add to the overall width.

For tractors with adjustable front axles, set the front axle to its narrowest position for transport to minimize overall width. On tractors where dual rear wheels can be removed for transport, discuss with your SAC coordinator whether removing them reduces the load width enough to avoid permit requirements on the route. The cost and time of removing dual wheels should be weighed against the permit savings. Your coordinator can help make this assessment based on the specific route and state permit fees involved.

Many states have agricultural pest and weed seed regulations that require equipment moving between states to be free of soil, plant material, and organic debris. Tractors with mud-packed tires, soil-caked undercarriages, and debris-filled wheel wells may be subject to agricultural inspection stops or refused transport across certain state lines. Clean the tractor thoroughly before pickup: tires, undercarriage, wheel wells, and any soil-contact surfaces.

Beyond regulatory compliance, a clean tractor loads more efficiently because the carrier driver can inspect the equipment for pre-existing damage without working around mud and debris. Clean equipment also produces a more accurate Bill of Lading condition report, which provides better documentation of the tractor’s pre-transport condition. For tractors coming directly from field work, allow time before the pickup date to pressure-wash and dry the undercarriage and wheel areas.

For operable tractors being driven onto the carrier trailer at pickup, confirm the tractor has sufficient fuel to start reliably and maneuver onto the trailer under its own power. Approximately a quarter tank is sufficient for loading and unloading. Confirm the battery is in good condition and that the tractor will start without difficulty. A tractor that fails to start on pickup day converts an operable transport into a non-operable situation, which may require rescheduling and specialized loading equipment.

For tractors that have been in storage or sitting for an extended period before transport, check the battery charge and fuel condition before the pickup date. Diesel that has been sitting in a tank for six months or more may have degraded or accumulated water, which can cause starting problems. A quick test run of the tractor a day or two before pickup confirms operability and gives time to address any issues before the carrier arrives.

Before the pickup date, assess whether the carrier trailer can access the location where the tractor is stored or parked. Flatbed and lowboy carriers are large commercial vehicles (typically 65 to 80 feet in total length) and require adequate road width, no low overhead clearances, sufficient turning radius, and a firm road surface capable of supporting the vehicle’s weight.

For tractors stored in barns, sheds, or on properties accessed by private lanes, assess whether the lane width and any overhead clearances at gate openings or building entries are sufficient for the carrier. If the tractor is inside a building, confirm the building door height is adequate for the carrier trailer to position for loading ramp deployment. If access is limited, discuss staging the tractor at a more accessible location (such as a field entrance or a nearby public road), with your SAC coordinator before dispatch.