operator killed trailering tractor

[wushaw]

NewToy,
That negative pin weight is something to watch for.
My previous truck (3500) bed would lift to the max height of the springs, the tires never came off the ground but were very light.
My current truck is too heavy for my tractor to raise it even an inch.

I think an owners/operators manual should come with every type of trailer. Everything else we buy comes with one why not a trailer.

 

[RoyJackson]

This is one accident I'd never even would have considered...although after loading a Wheelhorse lawn tractor on a pickup using boards...I'd never...repeat, NEVER use wood again...not even an inch thick.

I'd never thought of the weight shifting off the tongue of the trailer.

I believe Bird mentioned using jackstands...that's what I would do, but I would leave them an inch or so below the trailer. That (I think) would prevent the trailer from lifting the tongue too much, but should allow one to remove them after loading the tractor.

My 790 was delivered on a tilt bed type trailer. I'm sure the guy who delivered it was quite experienced, but that sure looked precarious when driving the machine off the trailer.

Anyone have experience and comments about the tilt bed type trailers?

 

[DKinWA]

I've had the tow vehicle lift also and always thought this was more of defect from poor design. All it would take to minimize the problem is to design the brakes so it takes a 12 volt power source to release them. Absent the power source, the brakes are set. Essentially this would be similar to the spring brakes on a air brake equipped trailer. It would also make it easier to park the trailer on a slope. You could also do away with the break away battery, since the brakes would activate as soon as the trailer seperated from the tow vehicle. Personally, I think this would be a much better design than the current systems.

 

[nobull1]

I had a similar situation happen to me a couple of years ago. I was unloading my cub tractor from the back of my one ton. If you look at the pic you can see the truck I was using as well as the yard. I backed up the incline till the back of the truck was at the red set of steps. After putting the body up a little and lowering the tail gate I set my ramps up and hooked to the inside of the tailgate. This looked like a good idea as there is a lot less angle on the tractor, being on a incline.Well I started backing up the tractor and just as the back tires started down the ramp I put my foot on the brake. When I hit the brake the weight of the tractor pushed/slid the ramps clear off the tailgate. The next thing I knew I was sitting looking at the sun and holding on to the steering wheel so not to fall off. The front tires were still on the truck and I figure inches more decline of the body and it would have been over. It happened so fast there would have been O chance of escape. By the way there is no rollbar or seatbelt on a 1954 cub /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif The problem was I had not secured the ramps well enough to stop them from sliding. Only ever done that once /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am assuming no ROPS and no seat belt? I )</font>

The story didn't say what tractor it was or how it was equipped.. but I'm assuming either an older model with no rops/seatbelt.. or a newer model with a rops, and the owner wasn't wearing the seatbelt. Either situation could let him get crushed.. etc. sad story.. Guess when the one plank broke it jolted and threw him off one side, and then the tractor continued to move up at an angle and craled / rolled over. Didn't say how high the bed onthe trailer was.. but I'm guessng taller than lower..

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I am assuming no ROPS and no seat belt? I )</font>

I agree... A car and a tow strap or chain / binder from the trailer could have been used to roll / tip the tractor back up right.. and been done within a few minutes. Alternately, I remember high school, and a group of us guys moved a volkwagon bug ...

Not to mention long levers like 4x4 or heavy pipe and a few guys, and you might be able to leverage something off while a mother / daughter pulls the old guy out.

I have a feeling if it had been a lawnmower.. they would have said so.

Soundguy

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( although after loading a Wheelhorse lawn tractor on a pickup using boards...I'd never...repeat, NEVER use wood again...not even an inch thick )</font>

When i bought my yanmar 1700 tractor.. the prev owner loaded it onto a very low set single axle trailer I was borrowing from a friend.. he used oak planks and one let go.. but the tire only have a 6" drop, and thankfully the agressive ag tire grabbed and walked up the back of the trailer before the plank let go all the way.

At that point I knew I would never laod with wood planks. After the drive home in my ford 'ranger' and single axle trailer with no trailer brakes, and wrong tounge weight, I also knew I was never using a single axle trailer to move a tractor again.. Took an hour to get the blood back in my knuckles after that short trip across town! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Traded that ranger too, after a couple weeks.. It was only 1yr old.. but after that.. and a similar experience with my 2-horse trailer the next week.. I had to get a full sized truck and a dual axle trailer with brakes!!

Soundguy

 

[TomPenny]

I don't mean any disrespect...but "Here's your sign" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tawilson]

Happened to me loading a skidsteer on an incline. Calmly and deliberately backing off was the answer. I wasn't calm or deliberate, but I got off and everything stopped. On my trailer I added these jacks and connected the ramps as in the attached pic. It eliminates a couple thrills per year. That's ok, I still have enough.

 

[Bedlam]

Good idea about the voltage to the brakes. I used to have a toggle switch in the truch that would dirrect 12 volts to the trailer and keep them locked when I loaded..I assume it would also assist as a parking brake for a short time.
Al