suggestions on loading a tractor.

[cr250250r]

I have an odd question I hope you guys can could help me with. My dad is moving from Missouri to Arizona and I offered to haul his tractor. He has a Massey 65 High clearance 2wd with a loader. I have a 20 ft bumper pull trailer that I use for quads at the desert and is capable of the weight(7200 axles, brakes on both). I know the tractor weighs 4185ish stock (internet) and he has weighed it at 5790 with the loader. I also have a bush hog and a couple spikes to move as well.

My father and I have a disagreement on the loading of it. I think we should lift the bush hog (6' heavy duty, guessing 700-800lbs) onto the front of the trailer and pull the tractor all the way forward to the bush hog and let the bucket rest on the brush hog. This would put the tractors wheelbase centered if not a hair forward of the axles with the bush hog on the nose and the loader in front of the axles. He swears the rear end of the tractor is heavy enough that the loader and bush hog will not offset the weight, and even suggests backing it on which would put the bucket at the very end of my trailer.

I live in California so I can't really test it until I'm there. I will pull it with and excursion so we don't have a bed to play with. I also figured I could put the ramps in the front while driving because they weigh about 100lbs a piece. Any input you could give on the "balance" of the tractor would be greatly appreciated.

I have searched this forum and others and only get the basic info of trying to maintain atleast 10% or more tongue weight which I already knew. I am just trying to clear up between my dad and I how heavy the front vs rear is without driving 1500 miles to find out it really wont work. Its been atleast 15 years since i've driven it, but I always remember the front being pretty heavy.

Thanks for your time and patience with the novice tractor guy.

 

[ovrszd]

An old school 2wd tractor carries a large percentage of it's weight on the rears. So your Dad's concerns are valid.

I'm also not sure if you can get the tractor far enough forward. A lot will depend on where the axles are located on the trailer.

Are you sure you have enough trailer to load the cutter on the front, then back the tractor on and have the bucket sitting on the trailer deck??? I really doubt that.

I really think when you get there and look it over you are going to see that your way is the only way to get it all on there. My Kubota is 18' long with the loader bucket sitting on the floor. It's 12' long not counting the bucket. You're gonna use up floor space at a rapid rate.

How about removing the loader bucket. Drive the tractor to the front of the trailer with cutter and bucket sitting on the back of the trailer??

Take pics when ya get it loaded!!!!

 

[Diamondpilot]

First thing you need to do is weigh your trailer and subtract that from the gvwr of the trailer. If your axles are rated at 7200# combined I think you are going to be overweight with just the tractor and loader. Add in a 800# bush hog, the other implements, chains, binders, ect and you are way way over.

As for my tractor, it's a little smaller. 3800# by itself and 4600# with the loader. I have both rear tires filled and that bumps it to 5200# total. If I am hauling just the tractor and loader I back it on my 18' trailer. With my 6' bush hog I pull it on forward.

Chris

 

[Gary Fowler]

I took his description to be dual 7200# axles for 14400 gross weight capacity so his weight is OK if that is true, but balancing the load is going to be trial and error and likely have to load it a couple of times to see how the tongue weight works out.

A word of advice, do it your Dad's way first and see if it works. That would avoid some hard feelings I am sure.

 

[MoKelly]

Well, an even more important question here is ---- why would someone move from Missouri to go to Arizona??????

MoKelly

 

[cr250250r]

My trailer is 2900 with the rack. Im taking the rack off which is 300 putting my trailer at 2600. I have checked the tags on the axles and they are 7200 a piece, so 14400 total.

As far as deck space. The tractor is 11' no loader, the bush hog is 6' (if lifted on sideways) thats 17' (18+ really). I figured thats the only way it would fit. The front axle is at 10'6" rear axle 13'.

I toyed with setting the bush hog on the front with the wheel towards the rear, backing the tractor up hopefully getting some over lap because the bush hog tapers, and putting the bucket and spikes as far up as possible and pray the arms don't hang off.

If the rear is that heavy I might have to back the tractor on to the front and put the bush hog on under the bucket on the rear. As a desert goer I have always test loaded until I found a good fit. Thanks for the input and not bashing to the new guy.

 

[cr250250r]

Well, an even more important question here is ---- why would someone move from Missouri to go to Arizona??????

MoKelly

He is from california originally, dry climate for health wouldn't hurt and I'm really his only family and live in san diego.

And it is the arizona mtns, not phoenix or something like that.

 

[MoKelly]

He is from california originally, dry climate for health wouldn't hurt and I'm really his only family and live in san diego.

And it is the arizona mtns, not phoenix or something like that.

Thanks. I hope you know I was trying to make a joke. Good luck in getting your Dad moved.

MoKelly

 

[cr250250r]

Thanks. I hope you know I was trying to make a joke. Good luck in getting your Dad moved.

MoKelly

I know you were, he would actually stay but he has, lets say, tried the local sheriff's departments patience. lol. He is from stockton, little town and he has made a name for himself--time to go. I grew up in stockton, I told him to quit Fn with the po po and they will leave you alone. But as Gary said let your dad do it his way, your dad wants to move-just offer to help.

 

[ovrszd]

My trailer is 2900 with the rack. Im taking the rack off which is 300 putting my trailer at 2600. I have checked the tags on the axles and they are 7200 a piece, so 14400 total.

As far as deck space. The tractor is 11' no loader, the bush hog is 6' (if lifted on sideways) thats 17' (18+ really). I figured thats the only way it would fit. The front axle is at 10'6" rear axle 13'.

I toyed with setting the bush hog on the front with the wheel towards the rear, backing the tractor up hopefully getting some over lap because the bush hog tapers, and putting the bucket and spikes as far up as possible and pray the arms don't hang off.

If the rear is that heavy I might have to back the tractor on to the front and put the bush hog on under the bucket on the rear. As a desert goer I have always test loaded until I found a good fit. Thanks for the input and not bashing to the new guy.

Yeah, your trailer is fine.

I think you've already got a good idea how it's going to go down. I totally agree with Gary Fowler. Fatherly respect is a good thing.

Still need pics!!!! Hope you guys have a memorable and enjoyable trip. It'll be something you'll always remember!!!

 

[cr250250r]

Yeah, your trailer is fine.

I think you've already got a good idea how it's going to go down. I totally agree with Gary Fowler. Fatherly respect is a good thing.

Still need pics!!!! Hope you guys have a memorable and enjoyable trip. It'll be something you'll always remember!!!

I will. Should be no later than june, thanks again everyone. He wanted to pull it on his 16', 5 lug axle trailer (3500 an axle I'm guessing), load c tires and the bush hog in the bed of the '82 1/2ton 6.2 diesel pick up pulling the trailer. Thats when I said "I'll just come out dad, don't worry about it". I saw your section for pics like that.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Tell your old man to behave in Arizona. That Sheriff out there does not play....

Chris

 

[ovrszd]

You can come back to this thread and post your pics by clicking on the small icon above your text when you type it. It's the fourth one from the right. I'm not smart enough to attache a picture of the icon..... Place your cursor on it and it'll say "insert image". Then follow instructions.

Use the "My Home" icon at the top of the page when you come back. It shows every thread you've posted on that's had a reply since you were last logged in.

 

[cr250250r]

Tell your old man to behave in Arizona. That Sheriff out there does not play....

Chris

Can't teach an old dog new tricks.

He isn't in THAT county, but he is going to buy enough property not to have to leave but once a week, if that. That will help his case.

 

[MESSMAKER]

First thing you need to do is weigh your trailer and subtract that from the gvwr of the trailer. If your axles are rated at 7200# combined I think you are going to be overweight with just the tractor and loader. Add in a 800# bush hog, the other implements, chains, binders, ect and you are way way over.

As for my tractor, it's a little smaller. 3800# by itself and 4600# with the loader. I have both rear tires filled and that bumps it to 5200# total. If I am hauling just the tractor and loader I back it on my 18' trailer. With my 6' bush hog I pull it on forward.

Chris

That is quite the trailer for hauling quads.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Just a thought. You could put the brush hog on standing up to get more trailer real estate

 

[aczlan]

My trailer is 2900 with the rack. Im taking the rack off which is 300 putting my trailer at 2600. I have checked the tags on the axles and they are 7200 a piece, so 14400 total.
As far as deck space. The tractor is 11' no loader, the bush hog is 6' (if lifted on sideways) thats 17' (18+ really). I figured thats the only way it would fit. The front axle is at 10'6" rear axle 13'.
I toyed with setting the bush hog on the front with the wheel towards the rear, backing the tractor up hopefully getting some over lap because the bush hog tapers, and putting the bucket and spikes as far up as possible and pray the arms don't hang off.

If the rear is that heavy I might have to back the tractor on to the front and put the bush hog on under the bucket on the rear. As a desert goer I have always test loaded until I found a good fit. Thanks for the input and not bashing to the new guy.

I would test it, but I would start with the spikes up front (perhaps poking through into the A frame area or sideways in the very front?), the back the tractor on carrying the bush hog and set it down on the back of the trailer.
If that didnt work, I might look into doing as GPintheMitten suggested and putting the brush hog on standing up in the front, but there it would be like a large sail.

Sounds like you should have enough deck space to play with location of the tractor to get the balance just right.

Aaron Z

 

[cr250250r]

That is quite the trailer for hauling quads.

I have a 97 mercury mountaineer as an off road truck. My wife has a quad and my kids ride as well. I was looking for an 18-20' with atleast 5k axles. This popped up for $2k with brand new tires and bearing service. (PO took it to the shop then saw a used trailer on the way home and bought it. I picked it up from the tire shop. lol). I figured it only weighs a few hundred more than what I was looking at before, but I would rather have too much trailer than not enough.

 

[cr250250r]

I would test it, but I would start with the spikes up front (perhaps poking through into the A frame area or sideways in the very front?), the back the tractor on carrying the bush hog and set it down on the back of the trailer.
If that didnt work, I might look into doing as GPintheMitten suggested and putting the brush hog on standing up in the front, but there it would be like a large sail.

Sounds like you should have enough deck space to play with location of the tractor to get the balance just right.

Aaron Z

Thanks for the inputs, I'm pretty good at making stuff fit. I just needed the experience you guy have for the tractor balance, which you have given nicely.. Thanks again.
This is my trailer.I have NEVER, and I do mean EVER towed that trailer with the exploder, it was a photo op only in my driveway. Someone asked how I load my trailer for the desert, so I used the exploder just to hold the trailer still. Please no comments of dangerous towing.

 

[cr250250r]

BTW I also have a toolbox that goes on the tongue that weighs 500lbs with a winch, recovery, etc to offset the merc being so far back. It isn't in the pic. And I'm taking the rack off.