Transporting a BX22 ?

[Anonymous Poster]

Looking a trailers to transport a BX22. Looking at a 10' trailer single axel, 3500 LBS capacity with a tilt bed. With a 10' trailer would need to raise the FEL to get on trailer. The dealer says they transport them this way. I'm conerned about the FEL raised and how much weight might be behund the axel. A second option is a 12 ' trailer, single axel, 3500 lbs capacity but no tilt bed. This would require ramps to get on and off. Would I have a problem with the Hoe hitting the ground as I'm going up the ramps? Both trailer beds are 20'' off the ground. What is better loading with ramps or a tilt bed?

 

[RobS]

I don't know the weight of a BX22 but a single axle 3500 pound trailer seems light. Most guys on this board recommend a dual axle trailer for the added safety and stability. Also, the axle rating has to support the weight of the trailer itself so your carrying capacity will be somewhat less than that.

I've got an 18' 7000 pound car hauler for my tractor and it works great for my tractor. The last two feet are a dovetail and it has five foot ramps. No problem getting on/off and I've had a hoe on it as well.

Of course the other consideration is what you're pulling it with. Just like you don't want to overload your trailer, you don't want to overload your tow vehicle /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Mark_in_NH]

I have to agree with Rob.
I know a BX22 isn't a huge / heavy tractor, but I don't know as I would trust it to a single 3500 lb. axeled trailer.

 

[surfran]

I have a similar issue I am wrestling with for my new BX1800. I have a 6 1/2' x 10' utility trailer with drop gate. It is a 3000 lb (~2300lb payload). I brought my new BX home last Sunday with FEL and Rear Grass catcher. It isn't long enough. I am struggling with new trailer or not being able to trailer with FEL in future. I have two properties about 100 miles apart and trailer every weekend in the summer at least to cut grass. So I am either upsizing trailer, fixing my Cub 1811 to take to my other property or just renting bigger trailer for few times I might need the FEL there to work on things............oh so many options, so little money to do!!!

Bottom line, I do not believe the 10' is a good way to go. But here is a picture of how I loaded mine to bring home (only 2 miles). The weight distribution was not correct, so I would not want to have tried a long distance (I didn't go over 40 MPH).

Hope this may help.

 

[surfran]

Here is another one showing it coming off trailer. The drop gate is a nice feature for loading/unloading and I much prefer it over ramps. You never have to worry are you on the edge of the ramp....

 

[r0GuE]

Surfran,
I have been looking for some good photos of the BX bagger with no luck. Since I see that you have one in this last post, could I bother you to post or e-mail me a few shots from different angles. the Kubota site is horribly deficient in photos, and no dealers have any around here. Also, (off topic for the post), what do you think of it? Work great? Easy to empty? Does the chute detach from thhe deck easy? I was wondering that because the doors to most sheds are 6 foor (72") and the spec states 73" with the bagger on.
Big thanks in advance if you can guide me a bit on the bagger pros and cons.

 

[rock]

rogue,

Check out the thread "Describe the grass collection system"
in this forum. It was started by Diesel! on 10/29/01 so keep that in mind when you search for it.

I have the bagger and in that thread I took a few pictures of it. Although after review they appear to be mostly of the chute mechanism.

If you don't see the information you want or need let me know and we can start a new thread and I'll answer all your questions. I'd say I'll respond personally, however some other folks may be interested as well so a new thread may be worth while. However, if it is pictures you want you may have to wait a few weeks until I hook it up for spring lawn maintainence.

I've had two years of use with it so far so I have a fair amount of expereince with it. I had the same frustrations when looking. Dealer never sold one, and the Kubota site has little to no info on it.

-- Rock

 

[Steven]

I have a bx22 and my trailer has a 16' deck and daul axles with brakes on all four wheels the bx22 takes up about 14' of that trailer, I would not atempt to transport it on a 10' single axle for any great distance. with bucket in the air you are raising the center of gravity of tractor and trailer this could cause problems. Protect your investment in the tractor and get the right trailer for it. My dealer recommended nothing smaller than 14' and dual axles make it track better while being towed it wants to stay in a straight line with no sway. I am not sure of how much trailering you will be doing but I do a lot back and forth to my other house at highway speeds with no problems.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

My understanding is that a BX is pretty small, so I thought you should have no problem. But then you mentioned a loader. That would be pushing a 10' trailer, small tractor or not.

Then later you mention a hoe - backhoe???? No way on a 10' trailer, doesn't matter if the tractor is small. You won't be able to balance it properly.

Figure out the total weight, and please tell us _everything_ you are going to put on the trailer. But even if the tractor, loader, hoe, & trailer are just barely under the GVW of the trailer, 10' is not big enough.

You need a tandem & 14-16' if you plan on trailering that setup more than 2 times. Ramps work, fold-down or dovetail is better of course.

--->Paul

 

[Will_C]

I hate to tell you the same as others have, but you definitely need a 16' tandem. I haul my BX2200 on a 6.5'x12' single axle, but I would not want to haul anymore than that. I'm not sure of the weight, but your hoe must be at least 500 pounds extra weight. My weight with the Tractor, FEL and MMM is about 2100lbs.
Will

 

[Will_C]

Surfran; You might want to keep an eye on your ramp/gate. I have seen the mesh on those pop through when subjected to heavy loads. Just my $.02. Have fun /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Will

 

[pemad]

I have a 14' single axle trailer that I haul my BX2200. I can haul the tractor and a implement but I am pushing the limits of the trailer. I would definitely not go any smaller than a 14' trailer if you have a bucket. I picked mine up new last year for $1000.00. I went with the single axle 14' because I did not want to run brakes to my truck. Hope this helps!

 

[RobertN]

What kind of truck do you have? Most newer trucks are wired to make trailer brake controller installation easy. My Dodge was simple, as it had 7-wire trailer connection from the factory; all I had to do is hook a simple connector to the brake controller, and it connected right up to the factory wire harness.

My older B8200 is similar in weight to these BX18/22 machines it would appear. The tractor is 1500lbs, the loader is 600lbs. The box scraper is another 300 or so. I trailer on a 16' flatbed. I would not tow without brakes ever again. The trailer and the tractor are less than 4000 lbs, which is not much behind the turbo diesel 3/4 ton Dodge. But, I have been cut off on the highway, and was very glad to have brakes all the way around. Also, I have found the trailer usefull for hauling other stuff, which often are heavier than the tractor.

The other nice thing with trailer brakes, is the breakaway protection. All new trailers with brakes should have breakaway switches. I have seen a boat/trailer pop off a hitch after going over a bump. The trailer passed the truck! It made a mess of the trailer, but the boat seemed to have made it. I was at an intersection, and watched the whole thing happen. Luckily, the people driving that truck trailer combo were not hurt, and the whole thing ended up harmlessly in a field. I can imagine the mess that could be made if my tractor and trailer came loose from the truck. Oh man, it would not be pretty.

 

[hfd376]

I have a 6x9 single axel trailer that I was transporting my bx1800 and a box blade on. There just wasn't enough room to get the balance right. I had always been careful about tying down everything, and would stop several times to make sure everything was tight.

In doing research on trailers, I did a search for trailers in the archives. One post in particular continues to stand out. I don't know who posted it but it was something to the effect of seeing his garden tractor rolling end over end down the road.

Now really, would you want to see your $17,000 +/- pride and joy, toys and all, doing that in your rearview? Insurance will probably cover it, but could you handle the worst case scenario? Spend the relatively few extra bucks and get a trailer that will will carry your load easily and safely.

I ended up with a 16' tandem that has extra room to get balance right, and something leftover for extra toys, um, implements.

Doug

 

[surfran]

Rogue,

I will post some pictures tomorrow as I cannot tonight. I cannot tell you about operation of the unit as I just got the unit last week. But I can show you how it unhooks, and talk about that as I have taken it off already.

Gotta go tonight, but I will start a new thread tomorrow as sugested with some pictures to help.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Another thought to ponder. What are the laws in your state. With that weight some states require a breakaway system. This will apply breaks if the trailer unhooks from the tow vehicle. I had posted earlier that I had bought a 16' Gatormade tandem; however, it is 14', costed $1250.00 new, check your classifieds, I see many tandem trailers for sale in my area. Bought new, wish I had taken the time to look around at used. I have a BX22 and had plenty of room front and back, the 60'' mmm was a tight fit with the discharge chute down.

 

[RobertN]

One other side note on the brakes. I do not know what truck you are using. I have a '01 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins turbo. I looked in my book a while back, and it said to run brakes on trailers over something like 2000 pounds. That is not much weight behind a big 3//4 ton 4x4 turbo diesel that can haul a 10,000+ trailer(the 4x4 actually has a lower GVWR and GCWR than a 4x2).

If you are already pushing the limits of your trailer, then brakes would be really nice to have. Someone mentioned in another post the terrible thought of having your $12-17k tractor, attachments, and trailer damaged.

 

[Bird]

I don't know about any recent changes, but there was a time (30 years ago) when the federal government "recommended" that states pass laws requiring trailer brakes on any trailer that exceeded 40% of the weight of the towing vehicle.

 

[FamilyFarm]

I recently transported the BX w/o the backhoe for a few miles using a 5 x 10 single axle (3500 lb) trailer. I had to hang the FEL over the front edge of the trailer (should have backed in probably). I might have managed to ge the hoe in if I was willing to hang the bucket over the rear edge! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Bottom line: must have larger trailer even for this small TLB!

Terry

 

[kcook]

I agree, if your spending 16K or more on a tractor whats a few more hundred of dollars to buy a trailor large enough with brakes to protect your investment.

KC