Trailer Loading Advice

Pete_5959 · May 13, 2010

I have purchased a 32' trailer to haul my tractors to the shows. I am new to the hauling thing so my question, Is it safer to back on or back off with the tractors when loading and unloading? Thank you.

Pete

Anonymous-0 · May 13, 2010

For the best advice on loading your tractors on your trailer, you need to go to Tractor Tales, and ask TY/Tex....

edj856 · May 13, 2010

I normally drive on, but it depends on what you're loading and if you're trying to get two tractors on at once. It also depends on how steep your ramps are. Some people will tell you not to drive them up and use a winch instead. As long as you're careful, driving them up is fine. Just remember, don't panic when you're coming down the ramps and step on the clutch, you'll go a whole lot faster than you wanted to.

Here's a picture of my trailer with two tractors. When hauling the Oliver by itself, I drove it on foward, but to fit both tractors, I had to back it on.

Jason1Pa · May 13, 2010

Some tractors with little weight on the back like to start to spin when going backwards. Depends on how steep the ramps are. Could get you into trouble if they are wet too. I always feel better going up forward and getting of backward. Like I said it depends on the set up and what the tractor is like. Always good to have someone watch you too. Extra two eyes are better. I read somewhere in a magizine that at least 80% of the accidents at shows or tractors pulls happen when loading and off loading tractors. I myself almost seen a guy with a John Deere B almost go off his trailer one time. Scarry!!

old · May 13, 2010

I almost always drive on and back off unless I am going to load 2 and then I back the first one on and drive the 2nd one on. But both has to be trikes for that to work on my trailer.

showcrop · May 13, 2010

Something that you can do that can make a difference is always find a level spot. I have been to pulls and shows where they give you some hilly terrain and some guys will use it, while most will park a little further away.

just another old geezer · May 13, 2010

the book for my Bobcat INSISTS heavy end first. but tractors that are two wheel drives might need a different approach.

onefarmer · May 13, 2010

Just don't run off the edge. Saw a guy do that last year at an auction in St Louis Mi. Ambulance was quiet when it left.

Ray · May 13, 2010

most show tractors are backed on to keep bugs off the front.

buickanddeere · May 13, 2010

Winch. Trying to load a tractor isn't worth dying for.

CJ_1080 · May 13, 2010

I second that advice. And use chains and binders, not straps. They make touch up paint for a reason!! Straps can allow a tractor to move ever so slightly, not a comforting feeling expecially for an in-expirenced hauler. Make sure your trailer breaks work great, take it easy, and enjoy!! Good luck!!

Adirondack case guy · May 13, 2010

With a 32ft. trailer I certainly hope you have a REAL TRUCK in front of it!!! If you are planning on filling the trailer with more than garden tractors.

Pete_5959 · May 13, 2010

Thanks to all for the varied opinions. I am using a 1 ton dually and the trailer is a low boy with dove tail. The deck is 33" high. I purchased a three ramper and will be loading a 52 H and 53 SM. Again thank you.

Pete in NC

scot in pa · May 13, 2010

I think most of the ones that go over backwards have a lot of weight on back and none up front. You would have to have pretty steep ramps to flip one that doesn't have a bunch of weights hanging back over the drawbar. I'd rather be looking forward on the way up. IF you can park the truck downhill, it makes the ramps less steep. Just bind the high end first if you do.

I coasted my SM off my friend's trailer one time when the battery died. One tire tore up a couple feet of grass before it started. Not something for the inexperienced or timid to try.

Anonymous-0 · May 13, 2010

back them on they, can very easly flip over backwards unloading them if you hit the brakes too hard- kid, dog runs past the ramps bout the time your back wheels are part way down the ramp. what do thing will happen? and you never know whats going to happen loading them either- missfire while loading, govener kicks in cause motor slows down for a sec. then bamm shes hitting on all 4 again and wants to go, can go up as easy as ahead.

DP · May 13, 2010

This is how I load and haul my tractors. Just feel more comfortable loading them like that. Not a beavertail, but 7' ramps make it not too bad.

2009 Pull

DickL · May 13, 2010

I have loaded a lot of tractors over many years and drive on or back on what ever it takes to balance the load. I have one solid unwavering rule. Once I start up the ramp or down I never put my foot on the clutch. First gear and only enough gas to so it does not die on the ramps when driving on.
I have seen people loading while slipping the clutch stopping and starting going up the ramps.
Every time they let the clutch out the front would start to lift. Probly wouldn't go over backwards but I have see the front go to one side and drop off the center ramp.

DP · May 13, 2010

Better example, but poor quality picture. Cell Phone!

RodinNS · May 13, 2010

You load them in whatever direction you need to load them for proper weight distribution. If Rover gets in the way, Rover gets it. When I'm going up I don't stop and when I'm going down I don't stop....
Slow and steady.

Rod

Dean Olson · May 13, 2010

I back mine on. Farmall SC 1st and the SH on the back over the axles. Motor idled down as far as it will go with out stalling. If it does stall or I don't like how it's going I can drive it off. I think that is the higher risk is getting them off of the trailers. I feel more in control driving it forward off of the trailer. 4 separate chains and 2 separate ratchet style binders per tractor. I put 2 chains on and use the power of the motor to tighten those up. Then the other 2 with binders pulling in the opposite direction. Might be a little overkill but I don't want to lose one.

showcrop · May 14, 2010

Put that trophy down and take up on that rear chain!

Nebraska Cowman · May 14, 2010

It's "safer" to winch them on but few of us do. You will find that backing on sometimes the tires will loose traction. That is NOT GOOD and you can end up on the ground pronto. And in backing off go sloww and if it gets away from you let it go. Don't ever pop the clutch backing off or the front end will rear up. Do not EVER load on a deck with snow and ice and don't load a wet trailer if you can possably help it. And don't load or unload after dark. Those are the rules.

John S-B · May 14, 2010

One thing I didn't see mentioned was to make sure the parking brake is set and chock the wheels, at least one axle. I always try to load as level as possible, if you can find a low rise to back up to that will require less of a ramp that helps. If you a worried about messing up the paint with chains, you can slip a piece of old firehose over the chains.

mkirsch · May 14, 2010

Make sure the tractor brakes work too, just in case you have to stop.

There is nothing worse than having to stop on a trailer, and SURPRISE, one brake doesn't work!!!

If you ain't got brakes, don't drive it on in any direction. Winch.

rustyfarmall · May 14, 2010

(quoted from post at 18:07:48 05/13/10) Thanks to all for the varied opinions. I am using a 1 ton dually and the trailer is a low boy with dove tail. The deck is 33" high. I purchased a three ramper and will be loading a 52 H and 53 SM. Again thank you.

Pete in NC

I have found that the SMOOTHEST ride will result from having the lightest tractor on the front, and the heaviest on the rear. If you will be hauling just ONE tractor, drive it on forward, and stop with the rear wheels centered between the trailer axles.

Anonymous-0 · May 14, 2010

Anyone asking for advice loading, hauling or tying down tractors on this site deserves a medal for bravery. B and D says the only safe way is to winch them on. That may be true, but if only winched on tractors got loaded then a lot would stay home.

MSS3020 · May 14, 2010

YEP!!! I drove a pickup on to my flatbed and couldnt make it up the ramps cause slick..I backed off and got a running start

I ended up slidding off the side with the right front wheel.

James Howell · May 14, 2010

This topic can be at times more controversial than religion or politics.

Since none of our tractors have mirrors, they are <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUu-nWJhcb8">driven</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcvXodtbZOw">forwards</a> onto the equipment trailer.

Once on the equipment trailer, the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-dtiNAZZ_o">best way off</a> is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCxV9jmtO7k">reverse</a>.

Just don't <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM7n1ANxcAk">get in a hurry</a> going either direction.

Hope this helps.

heavy hauler too · May 14, 2010

I nailed down 8 feet of expaned metel on mine, it dosent slide off any more!!! 5 foot beaver tail and the flat deck.

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