Minimum trailer size for BX-23

jhb · Jul 15, 2005

Just paid 225 to get my tractor to the dealer for the 50 hour service. For this and other reasons, I want to trailer it.

What is the minimum trailer size I would need to haul around a bx23 with the BH and FEL attached? I have a 4x8 trailer, will it fit on this safely?

spectre520 · Jul 15, 2005

After measuring and weighing my BX23 the smallest that I would use there would be an 8' x 14' , tandem wheels, and an approximate load capacity of 2500 lbs. The BX with Loader and BH will tip the scales at over 1600 lbs. and I have never liked the idea of that much weight (and length) on a single axle trailer.
Just made good sense to me but then again I am kind of a conservative when it comes to life and property.
Kevin

JoeG · Jul 15, 2005

I have a 6x12 tandem axle with brakes rated at 4300lbs capacity and it's a tight fit. This is mostly because of the tailgate. I have to shift the BH to the side to accomodate the tailgate. Although the rear departure angle for the BX is very good mine still drags the ground when loading onto the trailer. The BX weighs about 1500lbs, add the loader, BH and fluids and it is probably closer to 2600lbs in total. Tandem axle and brakes are the way to go.

escavader · Jul 15, 2005

kevin,
you better check them specks again.Reading directly from my owners book;weight with rops1520 lbs.weight of loader430 lbs,weght of hoe617 lbstotal dry weight2567.and if you loaded the tires like i did even more.
i had a 4x10 with moble home axle,i thought would be ok....no way.bought a 2 axle14ft with elec brakes.this tractor lifts my jeep a foot off the ground when shes going up the ramp of my car hauler.the tractors too big an investment to wreck it and kill yourself or another.think of the weight as in hauling 5 full size atvs.the 23 weighs more than some b series tractors,its not the weight of lets say a riding mower.my 6 cylender cherokee in which i haul all my toys with,is set up for heavy hauling,but without the setup would be tossed like a toy.chain binders not straps,i learned my lesson here but thats another story
ESCAVADER

jhb · Jul 15, 2005

Wow, glad I asked. Guess my HD $600.00 4x8 trailer will be woefully inadequate.

OK, so I need a trailer with about 3000lb capacity. My assumption is brakes are required for a trailer this size (and if not, required for my own safety).

So what is the smallest trailer I can use? I have limited space, and I hope to add a boat to the toy stable in a year or two.

gsxr1100 · Jul 15, 2005

I have a 6X10 and it (bx22) works just fine.

Spudgunner · Jul 15, 2005

My BX23 with both the FEL and BH attached fits ok into our 5x10 dump trailer. The FEL arms and bucket come down onto the trailer tongue and I pivot the BH boom to one side in order to lift up the trailer "back door"/loading ramp. This setup is workable but not optimal as the loading ramp is only four feet long and I have to find a "divot" to put the trailer tires in when (un)loading so that the loading ramp angle is gentle enough for the tractor to climb. I need to add some auxiliary ramps to the loading ramp. After that, this setup will work fine, I think, and I should never have to look for those "divots" again. The dump trailer capacity is 3500# so that's plenty for the BX23. This is a single axle trailer and just for the sake of redundancycy I wish it were tandem. I can't say enough good things about having a dump trailer to work with in concert with the tractor.

Gowfster · Jul 15, 2005

Just this week I bought a BX-23 and a new trailer. Beforehand, I measured the length of the whole unit and got just over 14'. Dealer strongly recommended getting the 16' trailer so that other implements could attach to 3 point hitch (e.g. brushhog) and prevent need to hang bucket over the tongue or rotating the hoe sideways. I wasn't excited about such a large trailer (6'x16' deck, dual axle, 7000lbs), but he was right, no sense fighting with the trailer, and leave options open for the future implements. Also, everyone always says to go with dual axle and you'll never regret it.
The beauty of buying this trailer is that one of the first backhoe projects is to carve out a hill to make a parking spot for the trailer!

escavader · Jul 15, 2005

I went to the augusta state police barracKS
to ask.first hand what i had to do to be legal.you can hear a different story from any one you ask ON THE STREET,The law is according to a top dog;you have to have the tractor hooked down on 4 corners,you also have to have any attachment also hooked down.he said in my case,the fel had to be hooked down,and the hoe,or chipper on back had to be.it is against the law to have your bucket over the headboard on a trailer here in maine I hear some states ecceed the federal standards ,maine is one of them.pretty steep fine too from what some people i know in the business tell me.reccomend,min imum14ft tandem with brakes
ESCAVADER

Tractor_Jim_CT · Jul 15, 2005

Will the BX23 fit in a UHAUL truck? If one ony needs to move the tractor once or twice a year, would this be a solution?

Just checked.. a 17 foot truck $29.00 per day + 1.39 per mile.

Junkman · Jul 15, 2005

Many times if the tractor needs to go to the dealer for service, the loader and backhoe can be left at home. Then you are only trailering a tractor itself. Unless the hoe or loader need service, I can't see dragging them along just for the added weight. In fact, if it is the hoe or loader that need service, leave the tractor at home and just bring in the implements, unless they need the tractor to test them.
Back to the question.... will it fit into a U Haul truck.... Yes, but it is going to be a steep and scary rid up the ramps to the truck body floor..... One that I wouldn't want to take..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Tractor_Jim_CT · Jul 16, 2005

Hi Junkman - Hope all is well.

I purchased a 2nd home by the CT shoreline recently and had a perk test done this week. It was amazing seeing a 8 foot deep hole of pure sand instead of rock, clay and dirt.

I remarked my BX would be on vacation here.

Anyways it comes with 1 acre and I thought I could use the BX here from time to time, but I don't really have a need for a trailer or a place to hide it.

So when this question came up, I had been thinking of a Uhaul and I believe they have ones that are low to the ground. When my JD lawn mower needs servicing, they put two boards from the back bed and drive it up to the back of a pickup, so maybe something strong would work with the UHAUL. Chances are I wouldn't do it, but would hire someone to haul it for a few dollars. The guy who pulled out the stumps told me to call him if I needed to move it, which was a nice offer, but I don't like to impose.

17 Foot Uhaul truck specs:
Capacity Volume: 849 cu. ft.
Max load: 2,860 lbs.
Gross vehicle weight: 11,000 lbs. max

Dimensions Inside dimensions: 14'1" x 7'7" x 7'2" (LxWxH)
Mom's Attic: 2'5" x 7'7" x 2'7" (LxWxH)
Deck height: 2'8"
Door opening: 7'3" x 6'5" (WxH)
Loading ramp width: 2'1"

Junkman · Jul 16, 2005

Just purchase a second BX and never worry about moving it again...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I am beginning to believe that it is better to have a stable full of BX tractors than it is to have all the implements that fit one tractor. I hate taking the loader on and off, especially if I have to put the loader valve back on to use the snow blower or sweeper. I am seriously thinking of buying a used BX1800 to keep the front mounted quick hitch on permanently. The only thing holding me back is the $$$. The wife doesn't approve of all that I have already spent on the one BX, and to add another might just "break the old nags back". /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Scrounger · Jul 16, 2005

This almost like an oil discussion for sure. No one will have the same opinion. I was set on a 14' after doing lots of chalk drawings in the driveway but for less than $300 more I was able to look at 16' trailers and be able to adjust the load better and not have to worry about fitting any implements.

I also like being able to put 4 ATV's on it when I need to.

Tandem with brakes is a given for anything. Makes towing so much easier. I'm not a fan of steel since they seem to rot out on me long before I expect them to. SPend the money on aluminum and never buy another trailer unless you need a bigger one.

YMMV but this is what I've learned the hardway. Besides, a smaller load on a larger trailer is much easier and safer to tow than a larger load on a smaller trailer.

Junkman · Jul 16, 2005

More details and pictures of your aluminum trailer.....

Gowfster · Jul 16, 2005

Since a bunch of trailer-heads are already looking at this forum I'll get some related help. I have a shiny BX-23 and a shiny 16' steel trailer in the driveway- but I haven't used the trailer yet as I have to get the brake control installed on my truck, 2000 Silverado. I'd appreciate any opinion on what brake controller to use, where to buy it and what all needs to be purchased. I've got an under-dash wiring harness that apparently came with the truck's towing package, but haven't looked to see where it goes, and a stop at an autoparts store saw a $59 and a $79 unit. I had been warned not to buy the cheap ones and get a good unit, but not sure of make or price expected to pay. Thanks for your insight!

LarryG · Jul 16, 2005

I myself hav a BX2200 with FEL and a rear 42" tiller. Also have a 48" box blade for it. I have a 16' tandem axle trailer with brakes on both axles. I could have got a 14 footer but am glad that I got the 16 footer. You can never have enough room to haul things.

Tom_H · Jul 16, 2005

These 2 old threads on the same subject have loads of information, much of it from veteran members who have not posted here. Sometimes those with the most knowledge will post on a subject several times and then when the subject comes up again, they just don't feel like writing the same thing another time. I think you would learn a lot by perusing these 2 threads.

bx23 trailer size

Trailer for BX23

This thread starts out about BXs, but turns into a thread on trailers for BXs: kubotas littlest tractor

This last thread is a must read about tie down safety: Ratcheting tie downs BROKE in transit!

Tom_H · Jul 16, 2005

( I am beginning to believe that it is better to have a stable full of BX tractors than it is to have all the implements that fit one tractor. I hate taking the loader on and off, especially if I have to put the loader valve back on to use the snow blower or sweeper. I am seriously thinking of buying a used BX1800 to keep the front mounted quick hitch on permanently.)

Boy, I hear that. On one hand, I like having only 1 internal combustion engine to maintain, as opposed to having a gas engine on each one: tiller, chipper, generator, etc. On the other hand, changing implements is a pain. That's why I have most of my implements on dollies and on smooth concrete.

You're right, the FEL is no fun to take on and off. The only implement worse is the grass catcher. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif (Sorry, no intent to be mean.)

With all the modern technology, it seems like it's time for someone to come up with a new automatic docking system wherewith a small computer and sensors in the tractor could communicate with a receiver in each implement. The operator would drive the tractor to within 1 foot of the implement, push the "autodock" button, and watch while the computer drives the tractor to a perfect position, and the docking latches on tractor and implement automatically latch together. If Russian spaceships can do it in empty space, why not Japanese tractors (with American computer technology) on the ground?

Junkman · Jul 16, 2005

( .................. The only implement worse is the grass catcher. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif (Sorry, no intent to be mean.)
)

You are one heck of a guy to tell me this after I have bought yours from you...... That is why I still haven't used it... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif