Re: Trailer Safety

Posted by The Dukester on October 25, 2001 at 09:50:59 from (216.93.118.181):

In Reply to: Trailer Safety posted by Haas on October 24, 2001 at 19:09:54:

I learned a lot about trailer loading when I was running backhoes back in the '70's. The guy I worked for had several Case 580 tractors with backhoes and loaders and/or box scrapers and loaders. Through experience with several trailer types, it was easy to see the safest, most easy to load, and the most stable trailer was the wide tread, multi axle, low bed between the wheels type. This trailer can be a tilt bed or loading ramp type, doesn't seem to matter, it's just easier and safer to load, tow, and unload from.
We always backed the tractor unit on amd drove forward off, if it was a backhoe, we put the hoe bucket in the triangle of the tongue struts. The tractor could be chained down a variety of ways, but we never compromised, we lowered all buckets, locked both brakes, put the tractor in low gear and chained it down tightly front and rear, using good ample sized chain and binders and wired the binders down too. Then we checked the brakes out and the lights too--every time--everytime.
We had the higher "flat-deck" tilt bed trailers too, with single axle dual wheel set-ups under them. I learned to be very careful loading, towing and unloading from these rigs because of the steep angles, the big motion when the bed tilted and the high center of gravity. This rig pulled easier than the low bed trailer rig, but that was the only advantage I could see in it.
So when I bought a trailer to haul my antique tractors around with, I got a plain little 7000# extra wide, low bed, auto-hauler type trailer with loading ramps. I welded on several extra stake type pockets for additional chain-down points and made a couple of "crib type" blocks to support the rear of the trailer when loading and unloading. I regularly haul a GW or a A John Deere tractor, The GW weighs 6150# and the A weighs 5200#. I position either tractor so I have about 3-400# tongue weight. That seems to stabilize the truck(Ford F-250), and with the GW, it puts the total trailer weight on it's two axles right at 6850#, I've checked it a couple of times so I know. I drive these tractors on the trailer because they position on the trailer better facing forward and there seems to be no danger driving up or backing down the ramps because there isn't much angle with the low trailer. Of course there's always danger if you don't have an idea of what you're doing or you get careless. Use your head and think--all the time! By the Grace of God and my own experience I've never had any accident, serious breakdown, citation, or even stopped by the police. And I brought both tractors from northern California to Michigan when I retired and moved(Don't ask me why).

Follow Ups:

• Re: Re: Trailer Safety Denny Frisk 10:19:55 10/25/01 (0)

Post A Followup Name: E-Mail: Subject: Re: Re: Trailer Safety Comments: Optional Link URL: Link Title: Optional Image URL: Email Notification: If you check this box, email will be sent to you whenever someone replies to this message. Your email address must be entered above to receive notification. This notification will be cancelled automatically after 2 weeks.

TRACTOR PARTS	TRACTOR MANUALS

We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]