Ok guys, I can answer my own questions now in reference to trailering the CK30TLB. I would NOT want to carry another pound after having given this a trial run! The trailer brakes on the rear axle performed well along with the GMCs but I'd hate to try a panic stop with this setup. I backed the tractor onto the trailer. 5 ft ramps are a tad too short and the bottom of the hoe frame at the swing pivot made contact with the back edge of the trailer but was not severe enough to prevent continued backing. The balance point on my 16' tandem with about half of the trucks rear springs compressed from tongue weight still left some room to back on further and left the FEL bucket extend beyond the back of the trailer by about 18" If I were to get another flat bed I would get brakes on both axles and up grade to 5000 pounds instead of the 3500's. I may be able to just replace the undercarrage and shift the spring shackles foreward a few inches to allow a better positioning of this tractor. The trailer chassis is mighty stout otherwise.
The GMC .5 ton, 350 CID V8 has enough gusto to pull ok but I never got up enough speed to lock in the torque converter and more'n likely it'd be constantly unlocking with the slightest depression of the accellerator pedal. . A 3/4 ton with four speed tranny and granny final drive would be a better puller. I'll wait and see how much trailering I'll be doing...want to buy some impliments first!
The GMC .5 ton, 350 CID V8 has enough gusto to pull ok but I never got up enough speed to lock in the torque converter and more'n likely it'd be constantly unlocking with the slightest depression of the accellerator pedal. . A 3/4 ton with four speed tranny and granny final drive would be a better puller. I'll wait and see how much trailering I'll be doing...want to buy some impliments first!
