400 Farmall with NI 305 picker on it, currently not running. Going to help move it, been asked to help, not mine. Haven't seen it up close yet. Is there a way to elevate/jack picker up and lock it in when not running? I was thinking also that I saw one once with the front center snout removed. Would this give enough room to attach a tow bar or towing device on front of tractor? Moving about 15 miles.
If the current location has another tractor with hydraulics handy, get some long pieces of hose and plumb into the lift cylinders in the picker. Then raise picker up and cut some pieces of angle iron to lay in the cylinder to use as a safety. Then the picker will be up and out of the way to chain or towbar away.
I flat towed my '51 M to Red Power Round-up in 2009. Was about 12-15 miles. Tow bar was a 6 ft pc of 2"x4" x 1/4" thk rectangular tube, Dad had a couple mounts that bolted to the two 5/8" holes in the front pedestal just under the front bolster. Other end was a normal clevis end, like a wagon tongue. I had SMV emblems, flashing lights, all kinds of safety precautions since several miles were on busy weekend shopper traffic on a Saturday afternoon. Dad had a heavier-duty tow bar than mine that I remember him pulling my Super H plus our BIG EWC/Oliver 5150 flare box wagon with the 2 ft tall sideboards home from neighbors shelling corn, had the wagon heaping full of cobs to fill mud holes in hog lots. Towbar could handle everything the old Chevy C20 could dish out and then some.
But you get the center snout off, weld up a tow bar and mount, I even fed a heavy 3/8" link log chain inside my tow bar as a safety chain, you should be able to tow tractor & picker. I had the M's engine off, and the Char-Lynn power steering was fine. If the 400 has Behlin PS it should be fine too, think Dad pulled the 450 we had to town a couple times. Hydraulic problems, pump would over-heat, couldn't run engine. Shop that sand blasted and repainted it went crazy with their sand blaster. Leave the transmission in neutral, the TA won't be turning, will be fine.
Let us know how the move goes. Was 50 years ago today Dad and I towed a 1940 JD B home about 25 miles. Used a 2-wheel tractor dolly, B was a 4 spd, 5 mph road gear. We cranked on the flywheel of that B for well over an hour, towed it two miles trying to pull start it. Engine had to be running to lube something in transmission according to our neighbor, a tech at local Deere dealer. What should have took 2-3 hours took most of a day. Paid $90 for the B at auction the Saturday a week before.
Found out friend was looking at it to buy, but then decided against it. I would be interested but next guy already spoke for it. It does not have power steering. From the sound of it, picker might be better shape than tractor. All shedded though. Thanks for everyone's ideas.
