Towing a tractor

[Dirtdeere]

I've heard from somewhere that when I tow my tractor on my trailer, the backhoe bucket has to be sitting on the deck of the trailer. My trailer comes up a little short and the backhoe extends past the rear of the trailer. Is it legal to tow it like this. I haven't been pulled over yet, but I was just wondering. Thanks

 

[MIKE R]

I am not sure. I have seen people trailering their mini excavators with the bucked resting on top of the gate.

 

[Dr Dave]

If it has a lock to prevent side to side swing and drop, then it can be towed in he locked up position. If not your required to secure it to the deck, per DOT.

Dave

 

[XSKIER]

Each state is different, so check with yours. But MI is really tough on any thing over 2000 lbs. Your rig would require four chains & four binders on the tractor, both buckets flat on the deck with a chain and binder for each bucket. That's about $800 worth of tie downs!

 

[radioman]

If you can swing the boom to the side and tip the bucket down to touch deck and secured with strap/chain- this would be better then sticking out in the back unsecured. See the word secured? this IMHO is the key. whatever you tow- if you can make your load look secured then it should be ok. does a part move? then secure it. it doesnt matter if the engine is off and only can move in up position- if it moves via power of some sort - it most likely gotta be secured.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Each state is different, so check with yours. But MI is really tough on any thing over 2000 lbs. Your rig would require four chains & four binders on the tractor, both buckets flat on the deck with a chain and binder for each bucket. That's about $800 worth of tie downs!

Sounds about the same as up here. All attachments need to be secured -- FEL and BH are considered attachments here. Something on the 3pt hitch would also require separate chains. We are however allowed a single chain thru a loop on the load (eg. clevis in draw bar or tiedown loop) and one binder rather than 2 on the end.

 

[Mechanos]

For a machine less than 10,000lbs., only two chains on the machine are required. One on the front and one on the back. Any attachment must also have a chain or strap. So, two on the machine, one on the FEL, one on the backhoe for a total of four chains. If the tractor or machine is over 10,000lbs., then it needs four chains plus one on each attachment.

 

[Dirtdeere]

What about straps instead of chains? I have heavy duty straps and that's all I have ever used on my 955. Hasn't fallen off the trailer yet but there's still time!

 

[Diesel breath]

What about straps instead of chains? I have heavy duty straps and that's all I have ever used on my 955. Hasn't fallen off the trailer yet but there's still time!

Not sure if straps are ok. They should be though. Your tractor doesn't weigh that much and properly placed they should be just as effective as chains. I think. But I'm just a dumb hillbilly.

 

[creekbend]

When I picked up my tractor after purchasing from my dealer, I checked with the State DOT site in my state. I discovered that the rules varied among States. Just a thought. Best wishes.