Transporting Tractor with Loader

[orangehay]

I've got to transport my tractor with a loader and bushhog on it about 30 miles between my two properties. If I load the tractor on my 16' trailer with the bucket down the bushhog sticks ways too far off the back. But if I keep the bucket in the air(hanging over my pickup bed/tailgate) it fits perfect. I've seen guys hauling their tractor like this before but I'm not sure if its legal. I do have a feature on my tractor that I can lock the bucket in place so it wont move. Does anybody know the legality of hauling a tractor like this in the state of Oregon?

 

[bcp]

The loader or bucket has to be tied down to be legal, I believe.

I once saw a trailer with a raised frame on the tongue to support the bucket.

Bruce

 

[Diamondpilot]

It's not legal but doable.

Chris

 

[lutt]

Just a thought, does your loader have a Saftey lock on it when on the up position for servicing? If not, I would fabricate or buy one for transporting it in the raised position. Not tring to be Saftey police, but if it come down on the back of your truck cause it lost pressure for some unknown reason, it would be hard on the truck for sure. I agree with Chris, doable, LUTT

 

[Sysop]

......... I do have a feature on my tractor that I can lock the bucket in place so it wont move.

ummmmm, I think he said that...

 

[Gary Fowler]

A better alternative would be loading the bush hog on the trailer with the FEL and letting the tail wheel extend over the trailer tongue which should give you more room on the trailer and you could let the FEL ride on the bush hog. Tie both down securely. The tail wheel would be inside the V of the trailer tongue so not in the way of turning.

 

[MESSMAKER]

A better alternative would be loading the bush hog on the trailer with the FEL and letting the tail wheel extend over the trailer tongue which should give you more room on the trailer and you could let the FEL ride on the bush hog. Tie both down securely. The tail wheel would be inside the V of the trailer tongue so not in the way of turning.

That is how I do it, but I have an 18' trailer and I use every inch. Might work if you have slide in ramps. Might be tough if you have flip up ramps.

 

[ejb69]

I don't know the rules where your at. But here in the states you need to chain the bucket to the trailer to be legal. 30 miles isn't very far. I woundnt go on an interstate with the loader in the air, but I would on back roads.

 

[lutt]

ummmmm, I think he said that...

DUH oops. Lol LUTT

 

[orangehay]

Thanks everyone for the replies but I ended up just setting the bushhog in the bed of my pickup. Its a pain in the *** but I didnt want to risk a ticket.

 

[redman135]

Why not just look up the state law for load restraint and over dimension?
I would also recomend fabricating a lock for the lift rams on the loader. This will satisfy a nit picking cop and remove damage risk to the towing vehicle from a hrdraulic failure.

 

[newbury]

I don't know the rules where your at. But here in the states you need to chain the bucket to the trailer to be legal. 30 miles isn't very far. I woundnt go on an interstate with the loader in the air, but I would on back roads.

Well I'm pretty sure I live "in the states" and the rule is that the bucket needs to be strapped down, not necessarily chained down.

another overhead bridge is taken out or power line, due to someone didn't tie down there "hydraulic piece" FEL (front end loader), backhoe, etc...

legally you might get away with something partially over the rear end of the trailer. rotatory cutter (bush hog) sticking over the end of the trailer, here in states, i think 2 to 3 feet is allowed, but requires some sort of "red flag" be attached at the very rear so, rear ending folks can see the flag.

if you haven't already, make sure ya get things tied / rachet strapped or like down. never fails i have some moron trying to pass me, and as soon as they do, they litterly cut me off and hit there brakes. to point i have to slam my brakes on.

And again "in the states" - Virginia reg

Extended Loads on All Highways
Loads may not extend more than 3 feet beyond the front of
a vehicle or vehicle combination and may not extend more
than 6 inches beyond the line of the fender or body on either
side of a vehicle or vehicle combination.
Any load extending 4 feet beyond the rear of the bed of the
body of a vehicle or vehicle combination must be marked
in the daytime by a red flag at least 12 inches square, and at
night by a red light visible for at least 500 feet.

So in this state it's 4 feet.
In California

LAMP OR FLAG ON PROJECTIONS:
Per CVC Section 24604, whenever the load upon any vehicle extends, or whenever any integral part of any vehicle projects, to the rear four feet or more beyond the rear of the vehicle, as measured from the taillamps, there shall be displayed at the extreme end of the load or projecting part of the vehicle:

again 4 feet and you need flagging/markers.

The point is look up the law for the state(s) you will be traveling in. As far as the OP's problem I've frequently seen backhoes fitted between fold up ramps, but that would depend on weight balance.

Here's a web reference https://www.sammonstrucking.com/docs/PermitBook.pdf

 

[schmism]

what does "Strapped down" mean?

If i build an A frame on the front of my trailer, and rest the bucket on it (so that the tractor hydrulics take no weight) and then tie the bucket down while resting on the A frame in the air.

Does that satisfy the legal requirements while still allowing me to transport my tractor with the bucket "up"

If one extends the above idea to the case of a deck over goose neck (were you have a storage platform on the GN) i think its fairly clear you could rest your bucket on it. so is the A frame idea a simple extension of this?

as for overhead bridges/wires, by all means measure to make shure, but i know my bucket will only get 8' off the ground so id have to have the tractor sitting on a trailer that was nearly 6' off the ground (that would be taller than the deck of a semi) for me to exceed the 14' bridge height (In short you'd never see me worrying about it with my class 2 CUT)

 

[VroomVroom]

Its a long story, but I'm away for weeks at a time while at work. My brother, who doesn't care if my things are taken care of or not has to use the tractor. Its to fix a road we need to operate a small business we have. The trailer they use to transport the other tractors are too short for a mahindra 2816 hst with loader and backhoe on. So typically he is going to back the tractor onto the trailer until the backhoe is nearly brought up in the front of the trailer which is about 3 or 4 feet high. The backhoe bucket will go over the front of the trailer, so the trailer front is between the backhoe bucket and the tractor. Then, the front loader is too long to be left down with the trailer ramps up so they leave the loader up.....I know this is dangerous and all that...but the probably I have, as I can do nothing, is wonder how much hydraulic shock damage from that loader being left extended up high, bouncing down a road. I'm pissed even thinking about it, as I seem to be the one to have to pay for damages..while I want to take care of the machines and he doesn't care. If he was going 15 miles only up the road/paved, I wouldn't mind so much, but if he has to go in the dirt/bush road 10 miles, the bouncing would just be too much to me, for that loader being left extended to take. Whats your thoughts on the loader being left extended high, while the trailer/tractor is being bumped and shook from transporting it. What can I expect. As well, i'm just picturing the backhoe bouncing on the front of the trailer.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Its a long story, but I'm away for weeks at a time while at work. My brother, who doesn't care if my things are taken care of or not has to use the tractor. Its to fix a road we need to operate a small business we have. The trailer they use to transport the other tractors are too short for a mahindra 2816 hst with loader and backhoe on. So typically he is going to back the tractor onto the trailer until the backhoe is nearly brought up in the front of the trailer which is about 3 or 4 feet high. The bucket will go over the front of the trailer, so the trailer front is between the bucket and the tractor. Then, the front loader is too long to be left down with the trailer ramps up so they leave the loader up.....I know this is dangerous and all that...but the probably I have, as I can do nothing, is wonder how much hydraulic shock damage from that loader being left extended up high, bouncing down a road. I'm pissed even thinking about it, as I seem to be the one to have to pay for damages..while I want to take care of the machines and he doesn't care. If he was going 15 miles only up the road/paved, I wouldn't mind so much, but if he has to go in the dirt/bush road 10 miles, the bouncing would just be too much to me, for that loader being left extended to take. Whats your thoughts on the loader being left extended high, while the trailer/tractor is being bumped and shook from transporting it. What can I expect.

I would not let my tractor be treated that roughly.

Chris

 

[VroomVroom]

I agree, but I have no where to put the tractor but in a mutual garage, and the road would be for mutual purposes..........unfortunately, I own the only tractor. I hope I didn't hijack the thread.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

I think the A frame idea would work but it will raise a whole new bunch of liability issues if ole man Murphy decides to visit. If ir not designed, inspected, and certified by an engineer an insurance claim could be denied or a lawsuit compounded to negligence. Nothing beats getting the right trailer for the worst case scenario. In fact you could probably trade off the too short trailer for a longer, one pay the difference, and it would be cheaper than building the certified A frame, then all is legal. BTW, most states follow US DOT in requiring wheeled or tracked equipment be chained down. Attachments can we ratchet strapped. Never load anything steel to steel w/o wood dunnage between.

Ron