Tractor for boatyard

[Cspirit]

I’m on the Committee of a small boat club. We have an elderly tractor which we use to move boats around the club - the boats are generally small, the largest being a sailing boat around 23ft, whilst most are small power boats. We have winches to haul boats up the slips so the task of the tractor is to move boats around the club on flat albeit sometimes a little uneven ground.

We need to replace the tractor. Ideally we would like an electric version, but this is likely to be outside our budget, so we are probably looking at a secondhand one, probably diesel. Our budget is likely to be around 3-5000 pounds. Would a ‘compact’ tractor fit the bill? Are electric tractors any good or available second hand? What about Bobcats - would they be any good for towing boats? Someone suggested converted mobility scooters might work?

As usual, all advice and shared experience gratefully received. Thanks in advance, Bob

 

[Yellow Ballad]

Worked for this guy...

https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1542186827

Can't you just use a car or old 4x4?

 

[lw395]

Why do you need to replace the tractor?
I would have thought any group of yacht owners could keep an old tractor going?
It sounds like you don't need anything very powerful, more important to have a good low range of gears?
We looked at compact tractors, but insurance for 'random club users' was a nightmare.

 

[sarabande]

Some questions...

What is the surface of the yard, and the worst gradient ? Are you only towing, or pushing as well ?

Do you ever need to lift large(ish) amounts of sand or shingle.

Are there any electricity overhead cables ?

Do you have anyone in the club who has tractor driving experience ?


As a rough guess you might be looking at a

40 HP
2/4 wheel selectable drive
Definitely diesel
Loader with frame for bucket
Cabin (obligatory IIRC when there are multiple drivers) or ROPS
Oil immersed brakes
Rear lifting arms


For the kind of money suggested, you will easily find a decent clean tractor. Compact tractors are premium prices, so a Ford, Case, even a Deere would be available.


Where are you located ?

 

[chrishscorp]

An old diesel LR Discovery would probably sort you out, put a decent set of mud and snow tyres on it, 3.5 ton towing capacity, plenty of spares available should be more than capable.

 

[blan321]

I have an iseki compact tractor. They are brilliant, and powerful, but it couldn't pull my Mercedes E class off wet grass with a slight adverse slope even tho tractor was on hard-core drive; it wasn't heavy enough. You will know weights and tyre sizes of your trailers best.
The other issue is that it's easily stolen on a trailer or van.
I would go for an older heavy two wheel drive basic tractor, sound like you don't even need a 3 point linkage.

 

[blan321]

Old land rover tempting too but need to explore insurance.

 

[matthewriches]

What do the boats go on to be moved by the tractor? Their own trailers? Into a towed hoist then onto cradles/legs?

I'd keep to something more simple rather than electric as I guess it'll be a fairly longterm purchase so you'll not want to be messing around with batteries, etc in a few years with electric machinery.

A little Kubota powered thing would be good if you're just moving trailers about otherwise I'd 2nd the Disco idea as they're practically disposable.

 

[Spuddy]

I saw that crofters in NW Scotland used old dumper trucks. Knobbly tyres so good grip; I'd guess enough oomph to pull whatever you have. Lots of advantages at first sight

 

[john_morris_uk]

Old land rover tempting too but need to explore insurance.

The prices for old Landrovers are getting silly.

 

[seaangler23]

Our yard has an old jcb forklift which works well, as for tractors I’d take an old simple heavy built tractor over a newer one for that work, less body work to rot out and good quality metals and all heavily built.

 

[TQA]

The prices for old Landrovers are getting silly.

and the chassis will turn to dust

the gearbox is fragile

as for the clutch well keep a spare by you and practice removing the floorboards.

IMHO get another tractor. I would have thought putting the word through club members to local farmers should find something in your price range.

 

[FulmarJeddo]

I’m on the Committee of a small boat club. We have an elderly tractor which we use to move boats around the club - the boats are generally small, the largest being a sailing boat around 23ft, whilst most are small power boats. We have winches to haul boats up the slips so the task of the tractor is to move boats around the club on flat albeit sometimes a little uneven ground.

We need to replace the tractor. Ideally we would like an electric version, but this is likely to be outside our budget, so we are probably looking at a secondhand one, probably diesel. Our budget is likely to be around 3-5000 pounds. Would a ‘compact’ tractor fit the bill? Are electric tractors any good or available second hand? What about Bobcats - would they be any good for towing boats? Someone suggested converted mobility scooters might work?

As usual, all advice and shared experience gratefully received. Thanks in advance, Bob

Depending on where you are, the type of tractor ideal for your purpose are in short supply. In the South they get snapped up and exported to Eastern Europe. We had an old David Brown tractor that died just before lift in last year. We spent a lot of money trying to get it fixed until it became un-economical to continue so had to find a replacement. As a stop gap to get the boats launched we hired an old Ford 2000 from a local farmer. It coped admirably on the flat with all our boats up to 32ft and 6Tons plus launch cradle. It wasn't heavy enough to risk taking the bigger boats down the slip, we used a Landrover Defender as a break to stop it running away. So, I would guess a Compact tractor would move the type of boat you describe. A short tractor is considerably more manouverable than a larger vehicle, particularly if using a front coupling.
We ended up buying a 60hp 4 WD tractor with grass tyres, a bit more expensive than your budget though. Apparently they don't sell as well as tractors with Agricultural tyres. The grass tyres work on our yard and concrete slip.

I can't think of any suitable electric vehicle.

As suggested by Spuddy, an old dumper truck would probably suit your needs. I have seen one used for pulling ski boats up a beach.

I can't se a bob cat working. It would pull or push in a straight line ok, but manouvering would be difficult with the break steering.

 

[richardabeattie]

Exit OP

 

[William_H]

Re Mobility Scooters. I use one to tow my 12ft ali dinghy from home to the water about 200 metres with quite a steep hill. No problems at all for power and I can get off and drive from next to it on really steep bits. It carries about 30kg of lead acid batteries plus rated for 120kg of rider. The whole lot is quite heavy so has the capability of pulling a load. But I am not sure about heavy boats. Possibly OK on flat concrete but you would need a suitable ball mounted on the scooter. Mine is very low like 8cms off the ground. So not much good for trailer.
If you google machines for moving trailers and caravans you will find electric and petrol powered devices made for the job. Likewise look for towing machines for moving aircraft into hangars etc
For caravans try "Parkit" or powered jockey wheel. good luck ol'will

 

[chrishscorp]

The prices for old Landrovers are getting silly.

Indeed they are for original seris land rovers, but I suggested an old discovery which are still very cheap but very capable.

Our club on lift out/in uses a local farmer with his tractor, he drives also the clubs thwaites dumper which is pretty good but there are issues on driving that with the club insurance, hence not bothering to suggest.

 

[SteveA]

With that sort of budget I think you are going to be very lucky to find a decent tractor but a quad bike might be the answer. Whatever you get needs to have a good tight turning circle so I don't think a road vehicle really fits the bill. Our club did use a quad for a number of years and it worked ok; main problems were that the ball hitch was under the back of the bike meaning it was a bit tricky hitching up and the usual salt water effects. We now use a Kubota sub compact tractor which is great but finding a good second hand one might be difficult - new there're about £14k!
Good luck ! Steve

 

[john_morris_uk]

Indeed they are for original seris land rovers, but I suggested an old discovery which are still very cheap but very capable.

Our club on lift out/in uses a local farmer with his tractor, he drives also the clubs thwaites dumper which is pretty good but there are issues on driving that with the club insurance, hence not bothering to suggest.

My bad. I was skim reading. Be careful of old Disco’s being rust buckets too..

 

[[70521]]

Have you considered contacting your local agricultural collage and letting them refurb your current tractor?

 

[steveeasy]

You will find a Leyland 272 or ih 258 for about 3000.budget for brakes most don't have any. As well as a new battery. New starter and it will last you longer than most of the owners.
Steveeasy