Backing up a Gen Trailer

[Catchthedig]

Backing Up Gen Trailer

Got this 14 kw generator on a small trailer, hooks to the rear drawbar and PTO of my JD 950 with loader. Provides survival during our frequent winter power outages. Big problem: backing it back into the barn when crisis subsides. Tractor mostly outside to disperse emissions, attached trailer remains behind under shelter of barn But trailer twists sideways and jackknifes during backup return. Tractor and trailer both short wheelbase. I spent years backing a bass boat into launch ramps and parking slots with no problem. The barn door at 8 ft is too narrow to permit much steer adjustment (loader hits frame). Detaching gen and backing by hand is a real p.i.t.a. for these old bones. Got any suggestions ?

 

[Eagle1]

Receiver hitch on the loader and drive it in? Lots of options to mount one.

 

[4570Man]

Maybe try getting a 2” receiver that clamps on the bucket and try pushing it in with the loader instead.

 

[bcp]

The ball mount was from a yard sale and it raised the ball so it was visible.

The brace was needed due to the lightweight bucket flexing a lot with all the leverage of the tall mount.

Bruce

 

[LouNY]

Several ways to front mount a hitch, or just keep working it as you have been a short trailer can be a pain in the butt.

 

[dstig1]

Yeah you have no hope of backing up a very short trailer. It will jackknife in an instant. The others have the right idea of using a hitch on the bucket. There are many clamp-on ones out there for sale if you prefer to buy rather than build. For example:

Amazon.com : clamp on receiver hitch

I bought a similar one at Northern Tool.

Or pull thru and drop it instead of backing up, if that can be done. Or put on your forks and lift it up and put it back that way. Or same thing with chain on the bucket if you have hooks. There are other options that may be possible rather than just towing it.

 

[Cycledude]

Maybe you could make extendable hitch pole for your trailer ?

A longer pole would make it much easier to backup

 

[workinonit]

Practice?? Get it out in the yard and back it up until you get the hang of it.

 

[Gee Ray]

You could make an extension to the tongue that is pinned on. This would allow you to back the trailer in easily, then remove the tongue for storage.

 

[repete]

I would think the only difference to having the pivot point in front as opposed to the rear is that you can see when it goes crooked. Either way it is a matter of making it go in the correct direction.
I think workinonit has the best advice, practice till you can do it easily. You cannot just swap ends every time you want to back it up. If you can pull it out of a slot you can put it back in the slot the same way.

 

[arto98607]

Maybe you could make extendable hitch pole for your trailer ?

You could make an extension to the tongue that is pinned on. This would allow you to back the trailer in easily, then remove the tongue for storage.

He is using a PTO generator - I think that makes these solutions not practical!

 

[sea2summit]

He is using a PTO generator - I think that makes these solutions not practical!

Why not?

 

[Hughman]

Seems like a three point generator mount would be the correct solution. If you want to keep it on the trailer, why not put some limit chains from the sides of the trailer to the lower three point arms to prevent the trailer from turning too far.

 

[arto98607]

Another piece of equipment to store out of the weather & cost of that ?

Why not?
View attachment 789271

 

[Rustyiron]

Those 3pt lifting boom that were about $60 for ever might be the solution. Just hang it for backing in.
3-4' tongue to axle is impractical to back up with any vehicle and there are visibility problems pushing it with the loader.

 

[Cycledude]

Plenty of options that’s for sure.

 

[CobyRupert]

Some good options here to push it in from front of tractor, or make the effective wheelbase longer with a pole.
…you could also pull it in with a cable that’s attached to a pulley at the back of the barn. Have some tongue drag and/or have cable attach at two points on trailer so that it steers straight or doesn’t roll away.

 

[tfuller]

Could you put some fork pockets under the trailer and use your loader to pick up the entire genertor to put it away?

 

[Code54]

Could you put some fork pockets under the trailer and use your loader to pick up the entire genertor to put it away?

Exactly what I was thinking

 

[jfsawatzky]

Would a wheeled trailer jack at the front help to move it by hand?