Backing up a Gen Trailer

[Michda]

Why not make an extension bar to be placed between tractor and generator.

 

[Paul McILwain]

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 ?

 

[Paul McILwain]

Put a trailer ball on front of the tractor or loader! Much easier going forward

 

[bdhsfz6]

I put a 12" caster wheel on the trailer tongue of my 12.5KW Baumalight generator. I just un hitch it from the tractor and push it back into it's storage position by hand. The genny isn't that heavy so it's easy to do. I reverse the process when hooking it up. No backing with the tractor required.

 

[jdmeth]

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.

The difference is you can swing the front quickly when you steer the front tires.

 

[Eebbee]

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 ?

Had a similar issue. I simply rigged an extension (piece of 2x4 steel tube) that slid over the pull bar of the generator and secured with a pin which made for easy removal. When I reached the trailer position I would remove the extension and back up to the trailer and connect it.
Other possibility depending on your barn layout could be to pass the electric wire to a location where you can drive along the building.

 

[Rockbadchild]

electric trailer dolly

 

[Rocket Surgeon]

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 ?

Got forks?

RbhAuto Clamp On Forklift Trailer Hitch Attachment 2" Receiver Trailer Towing Adapter with Chain https://a.co/d/1Fxid9J

 

[FHTM_JK]

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 ?

!) Practice until you get the hang of it. Short trailers and short tractors are difficult, but not impossible, to back up. Just takes practice, like anything else.
2) That being said, I have a receiver hitch on the front of my tractor because it's many magnitudes easier to spot a trailer when it's out in front of you and the steer wheels are at the attachment end of the trailer.

 

[bcp]

I think it was on TBN years ago, someone placed their pto generator in the front corner of their garage. When needed, a little door was opened to admit the PTO shaft. Generator stayed inside. Tractor stayed outside, and the generator never had to be backed into storage.

Bruce