Building a trailer to store backhoe.

[ljames]

I would like to buy a Harbor Freight 94564 trailer and convert it to a low-bed trailer to store my backhoe on so it is easily moved when I have other attachments on the back of my tractor. Right now if I take the backhoe off it has to stay where I drop it. I have a small property with little storage area. The backhoe weighs 1200 lbs; the trailer capacity is 1700. I would have to make the center of the trailer no higher than the axle so that I can slide the trailer under the hoe while it is still on the tractor. Then I could drop the hoe on the trailer and drive the tractor off it. The tractor is an LS 3010. Can anybody tell me if this is feasible, or would I weaken the trailer too much? If anyone is interested I have drawn up a rough blueprint in Google Sketchup showing my idea.

 

[Diamondpilot]

If you go cutting the axle it will weaken it without adding some structure.

Chris

 

[ljames]

I'm not cutting the axle, just the deck cross members. Hrbr Freight trailers are made of U-channels that you bolt together to make a deck and then bolt the axle springs to mount the axle & wheels. The body of the backhoe would rest just forward of the axle. I would have to add outrigger platforms for the backhoe bucket & outriggers to rest on with a stop so they can't move once hydraulic pressure has bled off.

 

[amaxwell]

I would like to buy a Harbor Freight 94564 trailer and convert it to a low-bed trailer to store my backhoe on so it is easily moved when I have other attachments on the back of my tractor. Right now if I take the backhoe off it has to stay where I drop it. I have a small property with little storage area. The backhoe weighs 1200 lbs; the trailer capacity is 1700. I would have to make the center of the trailer no higher than the axle so that I can slide the trailer under the hoe while it is still on the tractor. Then I could drop the hoe on the trailer and drive the tractor off it. The tractor is an LS 3010. Can anybody tell me if this is feasible, or would I weaken the trailer too much? If anyone is interested I have drawn up a rough blueprint in Google Sketchup showing my idea.

Would the weight of the backhoe plus the weight of the rear of the tractor getting the backhoe up on the trailer not be way too much weight for the trailer?

 

[ljames]

My plan is to roll the trailer under the backhoe, put blocks under the body, lower the outriggers & bucket, pull the pins, and drive the tractor off the backhoe. The only weight on the trailer should be that of the backhoe.

 

[IXLR8]

Interesting idea, I will see what you come up with and if this works out.

 

[ljames]

Here is a pdf file printed from Sketchup. This is just a rough draft of my idea. The upper section is the original trailer deck; the long rails are the new section that the backhoe will sit on. The middle of the rails on the top will be cut out at the angle iron. I'm still a novice at using Sketchup and getting it to do what I want, even tho I have experience with other CAD programs. When I can I will upload more files showing more information.

 

[schmism]

if you have height issues why not build "ramps" for the rear tires of the tractor instead of cutting the center of the trailer down.

ie if you need an extra 6" take 2x8 and stack them.

provides stable "ramps" that will not collapse.

 

[Stimw]

if you have height issues why not build "ramps" for the rear tires of the tractor instead of cutting the center of the trailer down.

ie if you need an extra 6" take 2x8 and stack them.

provides stable "ramps" that will not collapse.

This idea makes more sense then mount the trailer axle more toward the rear of the trailer for better balance on the trailer.
Chain the bucket to the front of the trailer to keep it stable. Maybe a loose chain across the outriggers to keep them retracted.

 

[ljames]

The problem with making ramps is they would have to be 12" high at least and made from 2x12s. The rear tractor tires are at least that wide at the tread. Also ramps this size would be heavy; I've made them in the past for working on cars. I would still have to modify the front (hitch) end of the trailer to fit between the tractor tires; 33" max; the trailer deck out of the box is 48" wide. I need to make the trailer about 1' longer because the length of the BHoe is roughly 12'; the trailer manual gives OAL at 139".