Tandem Axle Trailer

[Iplayfarmer]

Does anyone have a tandem axle ATV trailer that they pull with their tractor? I'm thinking about something like this Agri-Fab cart.

I'm sure there are others out there too. I'm wondering how they get the axles to articulate so much without causing the load to be unstable.

 

[schmism]

im shure you know about country manufacturing?!?!

Country Manufacturing, Inc. - Wagons and Trailers

they get them to articulate so much by useing a single axle that a "bar" is attached to (in the middle) with the 2 hubs attached to it.. (same design as a road grader uses)

you can see the bar on a single central axle

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I was afraid that might be the case.

I'm going to be pulling the thing with a small lawn tractor, and one of the reasons I'm looking for a tandem is to balance a majority of the weight on the wheels instead of on the tongue (like the big dump truck pup trailers). I still would like it to articulate to follow rough terrain. The problem with the single axle/wheel-bar mechanism is that the weight is still balanced over a single pivot point and the weight dynamics of a single axle still rule the day.

I have another design in mind to accomplish my purposes that I think might just work. I've just got to get it out of my mind and into metal.

 

[schmism]

why do you want a trailer when a wagon is built to do that? (no tonge weight)

or buy a ATV trailer like above and fab up a scond "hitch" axle like tandams use.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

why do you want a trailer when a wagon is built to do that? (no tonge weight)

or buy a ATV trailer like above and fab up a scond "hitch" axle like tandams use.

I thought about a wagon, but it's a lot harder to handle. I'm figuring that soon enough it's going to be me on the SCUT with the FEL, etc. filling the trailer and one of my kids on the lawn tractor pulling the trailer. I would like them to be able to back the trailer. I can hardly back a wagon, and I can't imagine trying to teach a kid without much experience to back a wagon.

Additionally I think the tandem trailer will actually be easier to build. Getting the turning mechanism on the front of a wagon will either be difficult or expensive.

 

[BTDT]

How much weight are you talking about hauling?.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

How much weight are you talking about hauling?.

Honestly, one of these cheapy Sears tin dumping carts would probably be enough for me. I just suffer from a severe case of "more is better".

Usually I'll be hauling grass clippings and branches; but I would like to be able to haul some dirt, manure, and rocks. If I can design something that will allow a lawn tractor to handle the weight, I'd like to haul 1000 pounds or so. One of the principles here is to overbuild so that I can easily handle the weight I'll normally be hauling.

My plan is to figure out a design, figure how much weight it can reasonably hold, and then adjust the size of the box to accomodate that weight.

 

[SpringHollow]

I bought a supposedly walking beam trailer from Sportsman's Guide like in the picture above. However the single axle part is not long enough to make it a true walking beam - it would pivot some and then the wheel would hit the bottom of the trailer. So, I added a longer axle and used some metal pipe cutoffs as spacers and converted it into a true walking beam trailer. Now, if the front wheel goes into a stump hole or ditch, the tandem axle pivots and the rear wheel flops over the front wheel and now it is the front wheel. Your trailer stays basically level during this process. They work great. I do not understand your concern regarding the single main axle. I have gone up steep trails, across uneven ground with no problems pulling it behind my ATV or tractor. Spreading the weight across 4 tires is great for reducing ground impact. The trailer is well balanced on the main axle.

Ken

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I do not understand your concern regarding the single main axle. I have gone up steep trails, across uneven ground with no problems pulling it behind my ATV or tractor. Spreading the weight across 4 tires is great for reducing ground impact. The trailer is well balanced on the main axle.

Maybe you all can help me out with this, then. How much weight can a typical lawn tractor handle? What percentage of the weight from a balanced trailer ends up on the hitch?

Keep in mind that my intention is to have a trailer that pulls behind my riding lawn mower. My concern is that the weight is balanced when I first load it, but then when I start moving, the weight shifts. If the trailer is perfectly balanced over the axle and the weight shifts to the rear (which it would probably do when I pulled forward) The rear is heavy and now there is up pressure on the hitch. It sure wouldn't take much to lift the back end of my lawn tractor off the ground. The other scenario is when I stop the weight shifts to the front, and now there is significant weight on the thin sheet metal excuse for a hitch.

 

[BTDT]

Tractor supply sells frames for trailers, maybe go look at what they have to offer and adapt to fit your needs. Single or double axle trailer, or single or double axle wagon or cart. What kind of lawn tractor exactly do you have? Is it the Massey listed in your profile, any pics?