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.

 

[boggen]

would only be repeating what others said.

check your local state laws.

backhoes can do a number, the wost, is hauling a TLB, and unsecured backhoe, and backhoe moving up and into a bridge, taking portion of bridge out.

a backhoe can fall down lever gets a big bug smashing into it, a bird smashing into lever, perhaps just week hydraulics, perhaps a hose busting or coming loose due to vibration. what ever causes it, it could allow the backhoe to fall down and swing out into on coming traffic. or take a vehicle out waiting to turn out on the road you are on.

i have seen a few TLB that various city's / townships have used around here, and some allow backhoe to swing all the way to one side, and be locked, so it does not swing, or be able to fall down.

the TLB i have, the lock was forgot about, and lock was torn off when trying to operate the backhoe (done before i bought tractor), but it held the boom of backhoe up. and kept it from swinging. just the bucket, and dipstick could partially swing if something happen.

remember about your "out riggers" as well.

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would suggest looking at getting a longer trailer if that is what is needed. part to get longer deck to deal with backhoe, but also to help, "balance" the tractor, on trailer as you pull on. to get 10 to 15% more weight on the hitch. so trailer pulls better.

also double check to see if you need a "weight distribution hitch" vs standard ball hitch on rear. hitch might say it can handle X amount of weight, but manual or like, will more likely state if you need a WD (weight distribution) hitch at a given amount of combined weight (trailer, plus tractor, and any other weight on trailer / tractor).

with above said, ya spent good chunk of change on what looks like new tractor, if going by your avatar picture. spend some cash on a longer trailer, and chains / binders. more so if you will be hauling tractor around.