7' First Choice RFM on 6'9

[bnixon]

7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

I have just purchased a First Choice 84" finishing Mower (will hopefully have it in a few weeks) and need some sugestions on how to trailer it.

I have a 20' utility trailer that is 83" wide from inside rail to inside rail. The mower is about 90" wide. The rails are about 12" tall.

IF i was to set it on top of the rails the load would be on the outside edges of the deck. This is not where the load (800 lbs +) was intended in the design (the wheels are supose to take the load). I was wondering if any one else has this situation and how you handled it? Or if you have any ideas as to a solution? I will be trailering this weekly about 60 miles so I need a safe solution.

Thanks in advance for the help,

 

[hazmat]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

Any blocking, bracing, ramp, bracket solution is going to get old fast. Get yourself a new trailer. As Pontiac says, Wider is Better.

You could cut the rails off the trailer, but do you want to do that?

 

[bnixon]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

This is a brand new trailer and is the widest I could get. I could not afford a car hauler that is long enough so I had to go with the angle sides.

Cutting them would affect the integrity and rigidity of the trailer as these rails are part of the design.

You are right about the blocking idea getting old. I had already considered wood blocks for the wheels but I was hoping other TBNers would have their normal SUPER SLICK ideas about how to handle this.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Golfgar4]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

New trailer is not an option. /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

Blocking is not an option. /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

Cutting the rails is not an option. /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif

YOU got a problem!!/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

Sounds like about your only other option would be to unhook from the 3 pt and with the FEL, put the mower on the front of the trailer sideways. When you get to your destination, you'd have to lift it off and hook it back up. Reverse everything for the trip home. It will work, but it'll get old too.

Would changing your order to a narrower RFM be an option? granted, it'll take a little longer to mow, but you wouldn't be taking it on and off all the time.

Good luck!

 

[bnixon]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

Golfgar4,

No, I don't want to get a 6' mower. It would be worth dealing with the blocks if that is the only option. I was just hoping that we could get our brains working and think out of the box. Some times I am really suprised at the genus you guys pull out of the hat!

 

[bgott]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

Set a couple of 4x4s across the rails and set the mower on them. If you are really nervous about the rails put legs on the 4x4s. Either way, chain 'em down. You don't want your 4x4s dropping onto the road.

 

[Golfgar4]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

<font color=blue>"Some times I am really suprised at the genus you guys pull out of the hat!"</font color=blue>

I agree with you! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I have been amazed at some of the solutions that guys have come up with./w3tcompact/icons/clever.gif

I've always believed that the more ideas that get thrown out there to look at, even if they're not the best ideas around, the more thinking will be done, which results in a really good idea surfacing. Kind of like priming that frozen pump in the winter - once you get it flowing, it can become a real gusher!/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[bnixon]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

bgott,

The rails on the trailer are more than enough to carry the load (either 3" or 4" angle). My real concern is the mower and not bending our twisting up the deck.

That is a good start on the ideas though. Thanks for the input I had not thought out that one.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

I'd suggest a couple of supports running from the rail on one side to the rail on the other. I'm assuming your sides aren't so high your three point can't raise the mower higher. If I'm correct then you can load your tractor and mower, install the supports and lower the mower onto them.

If you're going with wood, I'd suggest notching out for the rail tops at or near a siderail vertical support and attaching some hardware so that if you hit a big bump and the mower lifts off of them the supports stay put. It could be something as simple as a lock hasp with a swivel eye or an open bar holder with a hole through it and the support piece to accomodate a hitch pin & clip.

If you're a welder (I'm not) I'd think you permantly mount something on the top of your rails that could swivel into place when you need them and just be secured on the non-swivel end with a clip.

 

[bnixon]

Re: 7\' First Choice RFM on 6\'9

Gary in Indiana,

Now we are talking!!!!

If I was to get some 3" or 4" angle and notch it to fit between the rails...then I could set the mower across two of them.

But, if I do that won't the weight still be on the outside edge of the deck? Nothing in the middle except the blades which are recessed under the deck.

How could I make this work were it will support the wheels rather than the deck without the risk of it rolling off??????

Keep the ideas comming. I think we are getting closer!