If you just drag the occasional cross tie you can simply drag it behind the X 500. But if you are planning to move a bunch of them, and would prefer not to create a logging trail effect from your efforts, you might want to explore the idea of using a two wheeled, pneumatic tired dolly for the rear end of the cross tie with a hitch plate/tongue plate on the front end to link to the tractor draw bar. Both the rear dolly and the hitch plate would be configured to fit the dimensional profile of the cross tie and securing each to the tie is done using one or two 8" C-clamps to secure them to the tie. Advantages of using a dolly and hitch plate are: Rolling pneumatic tires do little damage compared to simple dragging (skidding). With the dolly and hitch plate you can back up with the tie to facilitate tight turns or to back it into place near where it will reside permanently. This idea came to mind when I remembered a friend of mine who made a heavy duty version to transport up to 30 foot steel I-beams as a towed unit behind his 1-ton service truck.

reply by theodocus struck me as coming from the desk of the ad agency of MTD. No mention of the actual operation that involves rolling over uneven terrain and jarring action from bumps and uneven spots and the fragile fabricated axles that bend and crack easily. Oh, there is also the bushings used in place of ball bearings: bushing use requires higher horsepower to move the newer units. The Deere has points and condenser; cost $5.00 and 9.00 respectively and the sears is a solid state igntion. Newer technology is wonderful as long as it is coupled with quality assemblage in a product. I have a 1968 Sears GARDEN tractor with a 12HP Tecumseh Heavy duty cast iron engine with ball bearings and cut with a 42 inch deck and also have a 1976 John Deere GARDEN tractor with a cast iron 10 HP engine with ball bearings and cut with a 42" deck and use both alternately for mowing two acres and for tilling and moving earth, etc.. Each has cast iron axles and mutli-speed hi-lo transmissions and EACH is used for plowing, snowblowing, tilling earth, hauling 1100 lb loads in attached large carts. EACH will run circles around the new 20 plus HP light LAWN tractors made today. Spend 5,000.00 and you will have a comparable heavy duty GARDEN tractor. By the way, good luck on getting even 10 years of use with the new wonders.

Here's what you need. Call it overkill but the price is right, low hours, comes with attachments, power steering, big tranny, can do it all without breathing hard and for the same price as something much less in capability. PA isn't that far from Ontario, is it? I would jump on this one if I could, or one like it (a 445 gas too). You would really like that 3-cylinder Yanmar diesel! Here is a link that might be useful: John Deere 455 Diesel

Electrolux allowed Husqvarna to buy themselves out and move to Georgia to become AYP a couple of years ago. I think the Sears are good tractors and when on sale, you can get a good price, but be aware you will likely go through hell and back getting it delivered, or if Sears is the only place to service it. Fortunately there is a local place that sells AYP parts so it is no problem to go there for parts, but I would not deal with Sears for parts at all.