leave a gear tractor in gear on the trailer?

[herm0016]

I am new to trailering a gear tractor. I have plenty of experience strapping things down and traveling long / rough roads in the outback and in the states with time in the oilfields, but do you put the tractor in neutral or leave it in 1st gear when on the trailer? I did not see an answer in the manual. I have a AC 5020 and a 10k wood deck equipment trailer.

Thanks.

 

[Shaneard]

Not sure what the correct answer is but I always leave mine in gear and set the brake.

 

[PineBrookFarm]

I always chain it down in neutral and get tight and situated where I want it. Then I set the parking brake and put it in gear. My theory is I don't want to be pulling against the parking brake or tranny when chaining down but if I do somehow loose a few chains I would like the tractor to not roll off the trailer. Not sure if this is what other guys do but I trailer a good bit of equipment and its always worked well for me.

 

[herm0016]

yea, i need to address the brake problem... i have to kinda mash the pedal to get any action and the little bar you pull to "set" them is quite loose, thus doing absolutely nothing.

 

[3Ts]

I load my tractor and leave it in neutral and parking brake off while I chain it down. Chaining it down causes it to move a little, usually forward. Then I put it in 1st gear and set the parking brake.

Note: If the trailer is not close to level, I'll set the brake once it's on and chain down the high end so when I release the brake before chaining down the low end, it won't roll off the trailer. Once it's all chained down, I set the brake and put it in gear.

 

[Reb954]

I always set the park brake and leave the Shuttle Shift in neutral, then chain it down.

PineBrookFarm, I'm confused by your answer. Are you saying you leave the tractor in neutral and the brakes not set while you are chaining it down. I would be concerned the tractor would roll off the trailer.

 

[Fallon]

I chain the rear as tight as I can. Get in & creep forward in low range 4x4 until I tension the chains & the tires slip. Lock the brakes up & shut er down. I then chain the front & use ratchet binders. Means I get proper tension on all 4 chains with only 2 binders.

 

[square1]

+1 with the chain it down, then set brake & put in low gear crowd.

 

[RickB]

I chain the rear as tight as I can. Get in & creep forward in low range 4x4 until I tension the chains & the tires slip. Lock the brakes up & shut er down. I then chain the front & use ratchet binders. Means I get proper tension on all 4 chains with only 2 binders.

Quick and easy for a non-commercial load. DOT requires a tensioning device on each chain or strap.

 

[oosik]

When the dealership delivered my new 2009 Kubota M6040, it was in first gear, low range and the brake was set.