Max Tow Adventure!

"JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t" (jawzx2)
09/22/2020 at 19:06 • Filed to: Tractorlopnik, towing, F-150, EcoBoost

So, I did it. I bought a broken vehicle that had been fixed by a dealership.

loaded up and ready to roll.... I dialed in ~4 inches of squat on the truck suspension, that should be about 1000lbs tongue weight.

A used 2010 New Holland boomer 3045 followed me home.

Backstory:

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/oppopinions-on-buying-a-broken-but-dealer-fixed-thing-1845030794

man that tractor just keeps tailgating me... oh, right.

Teh Interwebs say the bare tractor (with cab) weighs 4110lbs. The loader and bracket weigh ~950, +200 for the bucket, and the rim guard in the 17.5x24 rear tires should come out to about ~1200lbs, so all up we’ve got about 6500lbs on the trailer, the trailer is 12K GVW, and probably weighs somewhere between 2500 and 3000lbs. (2018) F150 4x4 King Cab with the 2.7 ecoboost and payload package is the highest tow rating of all 2.7 ecoboost models at 9200lbs. We’re handily there.

Home, and a sunset...

The 2.7 ecoboost and 10-speed (3.73 rear-end, it is the lowest final drive they offer, is a beefy 9.75-inch unit, includes an electronic locker, and comes with the max-payload package.) remain an incredibly impressive driveline. Power was never a thing I wanted for, even on hilly Vermont secondary roads. The diesel-like low end torque delivery flexed the chassis leaving from stop lights and signs, and that silly boosted mill puttered along at ~2000 RPM and delivered nearly 14MPG (at mostly speeds below 50mph) over 97 miles of towing up and down hills.

The trailer I rented had absolutely killer brakes, and I had to turn my brake controller WAY down to keep stops smooth and under control... which was nice with all that weight back there.

The 2.7 Ecoboost is a BEAST. I just find it hard to comprehend that that engine has a displacement less than 3 liters. The power and torque are just astounding. On the other hand, an F150 is not heavy enough to make towing a load like this feel like a breeze. You have to pay attention, and big bumps and sway are a genuine danger to vehicle stability. I can see how people get in trouble towing with modern trucks, there’s SO MUCH power, you forget the load is that big until you have to stop or change direction...

The forced perspective rear shots look more impressive than this, but to be fair she’s a DENSE little fucker.

The tractor runs like a top, but I did notice something I wish I had noticed before, though it’s a hard thing to see when you’re just visiting a dealership lot..

4x4 round bales for scale.

The 3-point lift leaks down over the course of about 3 hours (the time it takes to haul it home) This isn’t likely to be a major problem, as long as it doesn’t get worse rapidly, but I am a bit annoyed I didn’t notice it before. I think, if I remember correctly from reading parts diagrams, that you can access the lift cylinder without pulling the cab off... so if it comes to that, I can probably fix it myself... I hope I won’t have to.

DISCUSSION (11)

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/22/2020 at 20:29

The 2.7 really is a great motor. I’ve spent some time in the crew cab and the power is impressive. They seem to be holding up quite well to abuse too.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
09/22/2020 at 20:34

T he 2nd gen ones with port injection and DI (like ours) seem to be about as faultless as something with twin- se mi- sequential turbos and all that boost can be. I just plain haven’t heard any complaints about them.

jeepoftheseus > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/22/2020 at 21:00

I wouldn’t be too put out by the leak down. The 3-point has leaked down on my JD 1070 for over a decade and it hasn’t gotten (much) worse in that time. So long as the tractor is running and the hydro system is pumping it stays and floats just fine. Safest thing is to set your equipment down when the tractor is off anyhow.

Nice buy and enjoy that environmental cab!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > jeepoftheseus
09/22/2020 at 21:16

Y eah, it’s slow enough I’m not too worr ied about the leak down , as long as it doesn’t suddenly get worse... I *WILL* enjoy the cab. A/C blows cold, and the heat blows hot. I actually have a pretty serious heat intolerance issue, and I consider the A/C borderline safe t y equipment in July and August.

Fuckkinja > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/22/2020 at 21:22

We have our 3rd 2.7 lease. It works the farm so much better than my 6.0 gm work truck.

Tractor number 3?

I recently bought my first brand new tractor a Kioti. The front loader cylinders leak down quickly already at 105 hours. Also the rear diff lock will not lock anymore. It lifts more than it should a lot but it’s only a real issue with a jib pole attached. I am jealous of the cab.

jeepoftheseus > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/22/2020 at 21:29

Then that’ll be even more nice. I can handle heat but I’m one pale prone to skin cancer SOB so I’ve got an open shelter on mine but not a cab. You’re the sheep farmer on here, right?

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Fuckkinja
09/22/2020 at 21:41

T he plan is to sell the little old Ford 1720, We’ve mostly outgrown it. We need to increase the size of our pasture topping mower. W e’re looking for a 7-foot, rotary or flail, either way, the 1720 won’t spin that. We also really need both tractors to be able to handle round bales with a little bit of authority. bonus: we can put the cleanout grapple on this one and reach the corners of the barn I can’t sneak the big Zetor into.

The cab is actually a key feature too, due to several issues: Mrs. BoostAddict’s health (long story), and my severe heat intolerance.

Also, even though Mrs. BoostAddict can drive manual, she won’t be dis ap pointed to giver her clutch-foot a rest. She *CAN*, but she has never enjoyed it. This Boomer has the CVT. I’m a little scared of it, being a computer-controlled trans mission, but it has some nice features in operation. At least the engine is still a tier-3 mechanical injected Sh ibaura N844. I know that engine family very well, and I like it. It’s easy to work on, and it doesn’t bre a k much to be gi n with.

The <2016 Boomer 30xx series is a compelling package, low and wide, powerful hydraulics, reliable pre-emissions engine (that’ s also 20%(!) more fuel efficient than engines from Kubota and the Koreans) , fancy- dancy super comfy cab... I’m still nervous about the CVT... they seem mechanically quite robust, ( I have seen one with 6000 hours on it that was used for barn cleanout it’s whole life. rough, dirty, abused tractor, but the CVT was still tight...) I’ m still scared of the electronics.

I just couldn’t stomach buying a new tractor... I mean the price alone is bad enough, but the smaller stuff has kept getting flimsier in the last 20 years... I test drove a new 40 horse LS, and I just had to walk away shaking my head. felt like a plastic toy, no mat ter what the claimed loader lift numbers were I couldn’t take it seriously.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > jeepoftheseus
09/22/2020 at 21:49

yep, sheep for dayz over here. I’m also a pale-ass-SOB, already had a pre-c ancer lesion removed from my left arm. Cab is a step more coverage than the canopy, as the glass also blocks a lot of UV.

Fuckkinja > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/22/2020 at 22:05

I had to go under 25 hp for emissions and electronics. No def fluid either. So at 50 hrs I turned the injector pump to 33 hp. The little tractor works way better but the dealer will run from any repairs. One acre per hour is what I gets on an implement. Hydrostatic pedal get heavy on fields. As a loader the pedal is great.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Fuckkinja
09/22/2020 at 22:27

T he CVT has cruise control ;)

Derpwagon > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
09/23/2020 at 10:29

Trucks are good.