Tractor towing 101 - how to load and secure?

[Jerry1]

Back to the basics. I've towed my skid steer enough to be comfortable with towing heavy equipment, but anything different about loading and securing a tractor? The trailer is a newer PJ 14,000# equipment trailer so we're good there. Truck is a 3/4 ton Chev. Tractor weighs around 6,000# with FEL and normal 3 point set up.

Questions = back it on? Where should I or shouldn't I secure the chains on the tractor? It's easy with the skid steer because the machine provides points to connect chains, but I'm hauling the tractor for a friend and want to avoid problems.

Thanks for your help.

 

[JasG]

Back to the basics. I've towed my skid steer enough to be comfortable with towing heavy equipment, but anything different about loading and securing a tractor? The trailer is a newer PJ 14,000# equipment trailer so we're good there. Truck is a 3/4 ton Chev. Tractor weighs around 6,000# with FEL and normal 3 point set up.

Questions = back it on? Where should I or shouldn't I secure the chains on the tractor? It's easy with the skid steer because the machine provides points to connect chains, but I'm hauling the tractor for a friend and want to avoid problems.

Thanks for your help.

Nothing really different, most I have seen are driven on and backed off and that is how I have hauled mine. Each tractor is different depending on size and set up. I've seen tractors tied to the frame rails for front hooking, while some tractors don't have frame (the engine is the frame). I've seen people go straight to the axles both front and rear. I've also seen people go through the drawbar support on the rear of the tractor. IMO it is a judgment call based on the machine and when in doubt add more tie downs.

Things I have seen that I don't recommend is a clevis on the draw bar and 1 chain through that on the rear. Chaining to the front grill guard, the 3 pt arms, over the operator platform (that was the only tie down I saw on that load).

I do believe you need a chain over the loader bucket and if there is a rear attachment it needs to be lowered and chained also.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Well said JasG.

Having hauled any one of 5 tractors avalible to me over the years on a regular basis, each one has it's own chain-down isssues. Most of them I haul facing front. The exception was my 60's commander 6000 that I agreed to deliver when I sold it, it went on the trailer backwards due to proper weight distribution on the short trailer I was using.

Loader frames and rear axles are common places. Kubota L2850 has a nice tie down hook that makes the front really easy. I will be adding a hook to the front loader mount on my jd 3005 to make it more chain friendly both on the trailer and in the woods. Already added a bolt-on D-ring to the draw bar as close to the axle as I could get in some existing holes. DOT regs call for loader and rear impliment to be bound separately from tractor even if attached to said tractor. I chain the tractor and use HD ratchet straps (NOT 500# atv straps) on the bucket and brush hog, 1 each.

Good luck with your haul adventure... really not a big deal. Just think about the force applied to that yer attaching to and you'll be fine.

 

[foreman Etexas]

I use ratchet straps so don't scratch mine all up. They are good for 5K,one on loader,one front(pulling slight angle forwards)on axle,one rear(pulling slight angle rearward)beside draw bar. If an attachment it gets one also. I center rear tractor tire,with the tandom on trailer.

 

[LD1]

Forward or reward all depends on weight distribution. If the trailer is big enough, you could probably do it either way. But on a shorter trailer, especially if you have loaded tires, backing on might put too much weight on the tongue.

Things I have seen that I don't recommend is a clevis on the draw bar and 1 chain through that on the rear. Chaining to the front grill guard,

That is exactally how I tow mine. What is wrong with that? The brush guard is held on with like 6 large bolts directly to the frame. It isnt going anywhere. And there isnt much choice on the rear other than the drawbar. Wrapping the axle, there is too much wiring and small linkages (3PH feedback, 4wd, etc) that could be easily damaged.

 

[econometrics]

I use ratchet straps so don't scratch mine all up. They are good for 5K,one on loader,one front(pulling slight angle forwards)on axle,one rear(pulling slight angle rearward)beside draw bar. If an attachment it gets one also. I center rear tractor tire,with the tandom on trailer.

+2 here. I use two 10K straps so I don't end up with a scraped up tractor.

I've towed my old 5103 + MX6 down the road on a GN with the tractor just in PARK and the FEL and MX6 dropped onto the deck - no straps or chains. Of course, I do not recommend this at all (I kind of had no other choice at the time).

With the weight of your tractor, it will pretty well stay put if you are on normal highways with responsible stopping and starting if you have it fastened down reasonably with straps or chains. :thumbsup:

 

[Peacock]

I go thru the drawbar bracket with 2 straps. Then use 2 more at the weight bracket/grill guard bracket.

I use 10k straps.

 

[foreman Etexas]

Yeah my straps are around 5k load limit,15k rated. The 10k rated are around 3k load limit,if can remember right.

 

[case245]

I use 3 chain binders 2 on loaders mounts on back of loader and the drawbar on d ring and a rachet strap on torque tube I broke a rachet strap had 3 on my 7040

 

[namyessam]

Back to the basics. I've towed my skid steer enough to be comfortable with towing heavy equipment, but anything different about loading and securing a tractor? The trailer is a newer PJ 14,000# equipment trailer so we're good there. Truck is a 3/4 ton Chev. Tractor weighs around 6,000# with FEL and normal 3 point set up.

Questions = back it on? Where should I or shouldn't I secure the chains on the tractor? It's easy with the skid steer because the machine provides points to connect chains, but I'm hauling the tractor for a friend and want to avoid problems.

Thanks for your help.

Go to the massey ferguson vintage classic forum and go to page 2 Look for massey 65 field find by porkchopsmnn. Go to page three of this thread post #28 and read from there. This will be give good and bad examples how to haul a tractor. Be Safe.

namyessam