Loading tractor

[Water Boy]

That is how my trailer is set up. Works like a charm.


WB

 

[TGF]

I would just say load it as is, you can't balance the load without removing the jacks and you aren't doing any harm loading it the way you are. Loading a trailer without it being hooked to the tow vehicle is a recipe for disaster. First off your trailer probably doesn't have any breaks without the tow vehicle (that little 12 volt e-brake system most of them have is a joke), second that silly little storage jack is usually only rated for 1k lbs. Just a bad idea.

 

[Egon]

(that little 12 volt e-brake system most of them have is a joke), second that silly little storage jack is usually only rated for 1k lbs. Just a bad idea.

The emergency brake is not for designed to work with stationary trailers. Wheel chocks work very well though. some folks may have heard of the chocks and use them.

The silly little jack comes in different ratings. Again some folks might realize this and choose one that is more than adequate!:thumbsup:

 

[jenkinsph]

I would just say load it as is, you can't balance the load without removing the jacks and you aren't doing any harm loading it the way you are. Loading a trailer without it being hooked to the tow vehicle is a recipe for disaster. First off your trailer probably doesn't have any breaks without the tow vehicle (that little 12 volt e-brake system most of them have is a joke), second that silly little storage jack is usually only rated for 1k lbs. Just a bad idea.

I agree that the trailer should be hitched up to the truck for any loading and unloading. The trailer tires should be chocked with good sturdy ones that are made for this purpose.

Using the drop legs, jacks or blocking the rear of the trailer all work if done properly. That is allow for the change in loaded height of the trailer, my empty trailer sits about 2.5 inches higher than it does loaded. If you set the drop legs about 3 to 4 inches off the ground when empty they will still be clear of the ground after driving the tractor or backhoe on the trailer. If the legs were jammed then they are set too low.


I move my backhoe and tractors frequently (six to ten times a month) and the drop legs are the easy way to go. I might add this takes a tremendous load off the trailer tongue too. Blocking with wood or using the drop legs simply limits the tilting while driving up and over the tail. It also provides the benefit of holding the trailer still while climbing on with the tractor.

This works much better than loading "as is".

 

[garcia]

Thanks everybody for the great ideas.
I am going to try the square tubing idea and maybe the tongue jack idea.
Any of the ideas sent will work but, your right, I have to do something.
I don't want the trailer to come unhooked while loading.
Thanks again. This forum has been very useful and I am glad to be a part of this. I will keep you posted.

 

[Dargo]

The emergency brake is not for designed to work with stationary trailers. Wheel chocks work very well though. some folks may have heard of the chocks and use them.

The silly little jack comes in different ratings. Again some folks might realize this and choose one that is more than adequate!:thumbsup:

After taking a wild and unintended ride with my very first tractor, I became a very, very firm believer in preventing the rear of a trailer from picking up the tow vehicle and using wheel chocks if on even the slightest incline. When I was half way on my trailer with that first tractor my truck and trailer started down the street at a speed I wouldn't have thought possible. I didn't know whether to hurry up on the trailer and get weight on the truck or hurry and back off. I ended up trying to go on the trailer as fast as I could while I was putting my seat belt on (yeah, really dumb to not have it on already). The trailer went off the road into a ditch that was about 5' deep and I went off the back of the trailer and flipped over backwards. The ROPS and seat belt saved a novice operator's life. Proper loading and unloading is really important. Many good ideas have been given. Take your choice and be careful!

 

[garcia]

Being a newbie with a tractor. Chocking the trailer wheels will be a great confidence booster since I will be loading tractor alone, plus with the drop legs will be an added comfort. Thanks everybody!!!

 

[MESSMAKER]

Being a newbie with a tractor. Chocking the trailer wheels will be a great confidence booster since I will be loading tractor alone, plus with the drop legs will be an added comfort. Thanks everybody!!!

May want to paint the bottom yellow or orange (visible) so you remember to raise them before taking off. It will still happen eventually.

 

[AndyMA]

You can also use concrete blocks ,floor jacks or jack stands. Just be careful to support the frame and not a single board in your floor. Don't ask me how I know this.:laughing:

Danger Danger.

Never use concrete blocks (unless solid perhaps) to hold any load in compression. They shatter and crush instantly. Use wood blocks. Just an old engineer with 50+ years tractor experience speaking.

Don't ask me how I know, just please trust me. You'll get away with it most times until you roll you tractor loading.

Andy

 

[Dargo]

Danger Danger.

Never use concrete blocks (unless solid perhaps) to hold any load in compression. They shatter and crush instantly. Use wood blocks. Just an old engineer with 50+ years tractor experience speaking.

Don't ask me how I know, just please trust me. You'll get away with it most times until you roll you tractor loading.

Andy

I was going to comment on that as well. There are a lot of people in the cemetery who used concrete blocks for jack stands or other such purposes. They would be completely worthless and flat dangerous to use under the rear of a trailer when loading a tractor.

 

[johnrex62]

Danger Danger.

Never use concrete blocks (unless solid perhaps) to hold any load in compression. They shatter and crush instantly. Use wood blocks. Just an old engineer with 50+ years tractor experience speaking.

Don't ask me how I know, just please trust me. You'll get away with it most times until you roll you tractor loading.

Andy

Andy, I won't ask you how you know but I will ask if you have written it up in the Embarrasing moments thread. :thumbsup: