Towing an L35 ?

jerrykn · Dec 3, 2008

Howdy guys, I've been reading here for a long time and need some info from you'all

I've got to tow a Kubota L35 about 1,000 miles, My trailer is 7k rated so my combined load of the l35 and the trailer would be abot 500lbs over that.
I'm going to tow with either a Ford Excursion or a Ford F-250 both diesels.

I was wondering if I could remove some items from the L35 like the loader and BH buckets, or maybe if I use the F-250 could maybe either the loader or BH be removed and put in the back of the truck?

Any other suggestions.
Does anybody know the weight of the differnt pieces like the buckets or the loader or BH.

Thanks

Jerry

Diamondpilot · Dec 3, 2008

We preach all the time about not towing over weight but only 500# is not that much. If the trailer is in good shape, new tires, ect I would not worry about it. Its no question on the trucks, just make sure your trailer is up to par, good tie downs, ect and go.

Thats my $.02

Chris

Egon · Dec 3, 2008

I also would not worry about the 500 pounds overweight.

tractorsanmore · Dec 3, 2008

L35 tlb # 6000lbs
bt900 # 1500lbs
tl720 #1200 lbs
should have a 10,000 lb trailer at least 20 ft long to tow with , mines just 18 ft and is too short ( too much tongue weight )

irwin · Dec 3, 2008

tractorsanmore said:
L35 tlb # 6000lbs
bt900 # 1500lbs
tl720 #1200 lbs
should have a 10,000 lb trailer at least 20 ft long to tow with , mines just 18 ft and is too short ( too much tongue weight )

The L35TLB is listed, with loader and backhoe, @ 5997lbs.

Oper. Wgt. w/Backhoe, lb. (kg) 5997 (2720)

http://www.kubota.com/h/products/l35_comps.pdf

I towed mine from MD to CT with my K2500 GMC on a 16 foot 7k trailer. If I had another choice it would be with a 20 foot 10k trailer..but what I own is what I used.....as a added note.. the loader bucket wieghs about 250 lbs and the backhoe bucket less than a hundred..

My L35 is fitted with a curtis cab and has SSQA FEL and QA backhoe bucket, so it weighs a few hundred pounds more than a stock unit. The trailer didn't complain.

Builder · Dec 3, 2008

irwin said:
The L35TLB is listed, with loader and backhoe, @ 5997lbs.

Oper. Wgt. w/Backhoe, lb. (kg) 5997 (2720)

http://www.kubota.com/h/products/l35_comps.pdf

I towed mine from MD to CT with my K2500 GMC on a 16 foot 7k trailer. If I had another choice it would be with a 20 foot 10k trailer..but what I own is what I used.....as a added note.. the loader bucket wieghs about 250 lbs and the backhoe bucket less than a hundred..

My L35 is fitted with a curtis cab and has SSQA FEL and QA backhoe bucket, so it weighs a few hundred pounds more than a stock unit. The trailer didn't complain.

Haleluja! Exactly. Just tow the dang thing and get the work done.

This is not directed at Jerrykn or anyone specifically, but I've never seen so much worrying & whining and over-analysis to the point of obsession about being a few hundred pounds overweight as on this website.

Manufacturers build products with a built in engineered margin of error to compensate for misloaded weight on trailers & trucks. Many guys here act as if all 4 tires will explode and the trailer frame will shatter like a brandy snifter if a guy loads 7,001 lbs on a 7,000lb trailer.

I have seen horrendously overloaded trucks & trailers, but yet to see one cause a severe accident. However, I have seen more than my share of dopes on a cell phone or speeding in unloaded trucks cause accidents.

Nice L-35. Here was mine. Tough little bugger.

jerrykn · Dec 3, 2008

Many thanks for the feedback.
The main problem other than gross overloading I have seen is an unbalanced load, which I will be quite careful about. I would like to keep the trailer load as low as I can. If it's not way to hard I would like to pull the buckets and load them in the Ford. Not only will it drop the trailer weight but it will be easier the balance the trailer so I get about 4-500 lbs on the hitch.

So what does it take to remove the buckets?

Jerry

john_bud · Dec 3, 2008

Don't forget that the tongue weight is subtracted from the trailer and added to the truck.

If you have filled tires, that will add about 700 pounds-ish.

You may need to take off the FEL bucket and put it in the truck bed all the way forward to balance the load with about 1000 pound on the tongue. The BH on the backwill possibly make the nose light.

jb

Diamondpilot · Dec 3, 2008

I personally would not bother taking the bucket off. Its more trouble than its worth and not going to make much difference. With your 3/4 ton Fords you will have no problem with tongue weight with this load. You need to have about 700 to 1050 pounds of tongue weight or aprox 10/15% of your trailer weight. Just play with loading the tractor. Mine actually works best on my trailer if backed on.

Chris

LarryRB · Dec 4, 2008

Also of late, there has been a lot of talk of certain states going after people towing trailers, I live a mile from the Union CT scale house, and there is no doubt what they do.,. They will pull over anyone that pulls a trailer and make it scale, They especially like going after the "adventure in moving" orange striped U Haul rental fleet, Many aren't scared of going over 500 lbs as they are, what will happen if I am pulled over, I understand from other contractor nets that I am on that New York state is doing the same and I hear that western PA does the same, SO it really doesn't hurt to ask about a few pounds overweight as long as those asking realize where they are towing from, along with weight of whatever they are towing,

Builder · Dec 4, 2008

jerrykn said:
Many thanks for the feedback.
The main problem other than gross overloading I have seen is an unbalanced load, which I will be quite careful about. I would like to keep the trailer load as low as I can. If it's not way to hard I would like to pull the buckets and load them in the Ford. Not only will it drop the trailer weight but it will be easier the balance the trailer so I get about 4-500 lbs on the hitch.

So what does it take to remove the buckets?

Jerry

I don't think it's possible to pull a 7,000lb load and have a tongue weight of 4-500 lbs. That would mean your trailer is rear-loaded too heavy and you may experience some loss of control. Realistically, you will have a tongue weight of more like 700-1,000 lbs (10-15%). Pulling weight off the tractor and loading it in the bed adds even more weight to the rear axle.

tractorman99 · Dec 4, 2008

TRANSPORTING L35

Since the L35 loader with backhoe weighs approximately 5997 lbs* (2720 kg), it痴 easily transported by a ｾ ton pick-up truck and a trailer rated 10,000 lbs. GVWR,

wkpoor · Dec 4, 2008

I don't think it's possible to pull a 7,000lb load and have a tongue weight of 4-500 lbs. That would mean your trailer is rear-loaded too heavy and you may experience some loss of control. Realistically, you will have a tongue weight of more like 700-1,000 lbs (10-15%). Pulling weight off the tractor and loading it in the bed adds even more weight to the rear axle.

I don't completely agree that 10-15% is always needed. Yes its a guidline but every trailer may vary on how much tongue weight is needed. It depended on how far back the axles are. With my tractor on my trailer I'm right about 12K total weight and I doubt I have 1000lbs. of tongue. It tracks perfect. Usually when I load a car or truck I pull it forward till I see the truck settle a little and thats it. Don't really know how much it there but with experience using that trailer I know what works. Look at boats. I'll bet most are around 5% tongue weight. They do just fine.
As for a little overload. I wouldn't worry about 500lbs either. Lord knows I've tested 7K trailers before many times to nearly twice their rated capacity. Never far though. Amazing just how much is factored into things. I've never had an issue but sure have been worried a time or 2. Afterwards I figured I knew where the next limitation threshold was or at least felt good about using a trailer to its max rating.

Builder · Dec 4, 2008

I don't think it's a necessity to have 10-15% t/w either. I was basing that on a traditional trailer configuration. However, I don't think it's realistic to think a 7,000lb trailer will only place 400 lbs tongue weight on the hitch.

An L-35 loaded on your typical 7K trailer will result in more than 400lbs t/w and that's the scenario the o/p presents.

That said, I agree with most of what you say!

jerrykn · Dec 8, 2008

Again thanks for the feedback, I'm definately in the 5 to 10% range for tongue weight. That give you positive load on thr towing vehicle for stability and keeps the load on all 4 trailer wheels even.
I appreciate all the comments and experience on loading a trailer up maybe a little past it's rating.
I will see if I can put some parts in my excursion to keep as near to 7K load on the trailer. The Ex's load rating is plenty to haul an extra 5-700 lbs or more in the back while towing.

Doing my maint on my trailer, packed the bearings,etc, I found the left side brake wire broke. Will fix that before I leave on Friday.

Looking forward to having th L35 TLB. Seems like a good time to buy. Prices on items that actually sell on ebay seem to be as low as I have seen. I'll give a report of how this unit is when I get back.

Jerry

Builder · Dec 8, 2008

jerrykn said:
Again thanks for the feedback, I'm definately in the 5 to 10% range for tongue weight. That give you positive load on thr towing vehicle for stability and keeps the load on all 4 trailer wheels even.
I appreciate all the comments and experience on loading a trailer up maybe a little past it's rating.
I will see if I can put some parts in my excursion to keep as near to 7K load on the trailer. The Ex's load rating is plenty to haul an extra 5-700 lbs or more in the back while towing.

Doing my maint on my trailer, packed the bearings,etc, I found the left side brake wire broke. Will fix that before I leave on Friday.

Looking forward to having th L35 TLB. Seems like a good time to buy. Prices on items that actually sell on ebay seem to be as low as I have seen. I'll give a report of how this unit is when I get back.

Jerry

You're right about that. I've never seen equipment sell cheaper in the 20+ years I've ownd a construction business.

L-35 is a nice, tough little unit.

jerrykn · Dec 21, 2008

Well I got back from my trip . Pulled the L35 from North Carolina to New Mexico via Dallas with no problems. 65 mph all the way.

I did pull the buckets and hauled them in the back of my Excursion for a couple of reasons. I knew with them I would be at or just above 7K lbs on my trailors axles. I was concerned if some overzelous motor transport or Trooper did a weight check it would be a royal PIA.
Plus on a long trip I really didn't want to overload if I could do someting about it. Still I est that the total trailor/load total was 7300/7400 lbs.

The roads overall were very good but the roads in Mississippi
gave the truck/trailor combo a workout. The road surface was quite good but for some reason on I-20 in the middle of the state they cut whop-de-doos acroos the highway every 1/2 mile or so that would simulate riding a bucking bronc.- I think I might have even gotten a little air time after a few of those.

Anyway Thank God for a safe trip and I wish the same for all of you and a Merry Christmas.

Jerry