Trailer Ramps ............

[Ductape]

I need to come up with a set of ramps to load things into my lo pro dump trailer. Stamped steel ramps, similar to these at HF are easy enough to find around here ( 2 Piece Steel Loading Ramps ). I frequently move my wood splitter and cub cadet lawn tractor..... and would like to be able to move my B3030 (tractor with loader, loaded tires.... NO backhoe) with the dump also. My concern with these ramps is the weight rating.... usually in the 1000 to 1500# range (per PAIR). I'm trying to keep the price somewhat reasonable...... so at this point I'm not considering the $400 aluminum ramps @ Northern.

If the stamped steel ramps are rated at 1000# and are 6' long...... would the strength increase if I cut them down to 5' .......... or 4' ?

I'm not completely opposed to making my own, but not being an engineer type, I'd naturally overbuild and make them to heavy to move easily.

Anyone have any other solutions? Suggestions?

 

[Craig Clayton]

Here is a post I did some timw ago. What I found is the longer the ramps are the less scary the loading process is. I went with 10' pieces because they were for free.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/166804-homemade-garden-tractor-ramps.html
Craig Clayton

 

[Soundguy]

what about beefing them up with some supports that went to the ground and make them a right triangle vs a span.

might be cheaper to beef than to fabricate from scratch..

soundguy

 

[FastPauly]

I agree Soundguy....for the initial cost, these would be one heck of a jump-start on coming up with what is needed. If the length of them is sufficient...a little post fab work would result in a set of nice "traction enhanced" ramps.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

Keep in mind that if the ramps are short you will only have the weight of the front or the rear of the tractor on them while loading.Not the weight of the whole tractor.
Bill

 

[Soundguy]

still the beefier they are the better, unless weight is an issue.

soundguy

 

[Ductape]

still the beefier they are the better, unless weight is an issue.

soundguy

I'm only concerned that they'd be comfortable enough to move around by myself without getting a hernia. Unlike with a flatbed / deckover / etc. , they won't be hinged. I'll need to lift and carry them into place when I use them. Perhaps I'll give some thought to adding a center support of some kind to the stamped steel ramps..........

 

[Soundguy]

my 16' flatbed uses detach and store HD ramps. they will go 2 tons easy. while they are a tad heavy.. figure 80# each.. I never have to worry about them folding and killing me while loading.

soundguy

 

[sld]

I use some aluminum ones that are rated for 3k lbs. They only weight about 40 lbs each. If I did the triangulation thing Soundguy mentioned I bet that weight capacity would double. The lever arm length is cut in half.

 

[Diamondpilot]

My 18' trailer has slide in HD ramps in the rear. They are 5' long and I bet they weigh 75# each but I have loaded 5,500# trucks on it with no issues.

Chris