Using a dump tandem axle trailer for hauling tractor?

[alia176]

I'm curious if anyone here is using a hyd dump trailer with tandem axles to haul their tractor around? I could use a hyd dump trailer for work around the property but also need something to haul my tractor around. I'd say the total weight of the tractor to be approx 5,000lb with the BH. Is this a bad idea? Since my tractor is only 5' wide, I'm guessing a 6'x12' may be a good size trailer. Local Home Depot has the same exact thing and size for rent and I was eyeballing that the other day :laughing:

Thanks for your inputs.

 

[bcp]

I see it often, with the bucket over the hitch and the backhoe behind the tailgate. Like the photo in post #1 here:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ricing/151035-tractor-dump-trailer-combo.html

I don't know how that would work with requirements to have the bucket and backhoe tied down.

You could rent the Home Depot trailer and try it for fit.

Bruce

 

[George2615]

I'm not sure your tractor w/BH will fit in a 12' dump trailer. You don't want the loader hanging over the front or the BH hanging over the back. Loader and BH must be secured and hauling like pictured in the other thread is frowned upon in my area. I have a 16' dump trailer and have hauled my tractor in it to get dirt and gravel from a local private gravel pit with no loader on site. Double check your tractor length w/ loader and BH and make sure the trailer you buy has tie down points. Mine has 6 D-rings.

 

[Sysop]

A lot of dump trailers have higher decks than equipment trailers and I believe the loads are intended to fill the beds rather than be a couple feet up. Something to keep to in mind when cornering...

 

[Diamondpilot]

A lot of dump trailers have higher decks than equipment trailers and I believe the loads are intended to fill the beds rather than be a couple feet up. Something to keep to in mind when cornering...

That and loading. BH will drag because of steep ramp angle.

Chris

 

[GreatWhitehunter]

That and loading. BH will drag because of steep ramp angle.

Chris

You can simply tilt the dump bed if dragging occurs. Should help with the angle.

 

[Diamondpilot]

You can simply tilt the dump bed if dragging occurs. Should help with the angle.

Good point.

Chris

 

[ErikVann]

I have a 7'x12' 12k dump trailer that I have been using to move my tractor. I think it is a pain in the *****. If you are moving the tractor frequently you will quickly tire of the process. The ramps are heavy and time consuming to un hook and re hook after loading. It is difficult to maneuver between he tractor and side walls to get to the tie down points, anything on the fel longer than a bucket sticks way the back. It tows nicely and does have the benefit of being dual purpose.! but I have been trolling craigslist for a reasonable equipment trailer. In my mind if you are moving the tractor more than a couple times a month get a dedicated flat bed and a dump trailer. Do you need a 12' dump trailer for work? Mine is quite wide and I find that I rarely need the full capacity.

 

[2458n]

You see a good deal of tree trimming services going this route with Bobcat and grapple. I was hauling a lot of free wood with my tractor trailer and dump truck. Made too many trips and the owner noticed I was making good money after splitting and selling the wood. He went with the new dump trailer.

 

[Sysop]

You can simply tilt the dump bed if dragging occurs. Should help with the angle.

Not actually. The backhoe will drag the ground on the ground-to-ramp transition. The beds on all the dump trailers I have seen are hinged at the very rearmost part of the bed. When you raise the bed, the ramp-to bed angle changes; but without lowering the back edge of the bed, the ground-to-ramp transition stays at the same angle... Tilting the bed would only help if you were high-centering between the front and rear axles on the transition from ramp-to-bed.

The way to reduce the ground-to-ramp transition angle would be to back the trailer to a slight grade and have the tail-end of the ramps elevated onto the grade, or to use longer ramps.

That being said, a backhoe can have the bucket raised into the air for clearance during loading and lowered to the transport position once on the trailer, or you can back it on allowing the backhoe to go between the ramps until the back tires start up the ramps.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Not actually. The backhoe will drag the ground on the ground-to-ramp transition. The beds on all the dump trailers I have seen are hinged at the very rearmost part of the bed. When you raise the bed, the ramp-to bed angle changes; but without lowering the back edge of the bed, the ground-to-ramp transition stays at the same angle... Tilting the bed would only help if you were high-centering between the front and rear axles on the transition from ramp-to-bed. The way to reduce the ground-to-ramp transition angle would be to back the trailer to a slight grade and have the tail-end of the ramps elevated onto the grade, or to use longer ramps. That being said, a backhoe can have the bucket raised into the air for clearance during loading and lowered to the transport position once on the trailer, or you can back it on allowing the backhoe to go between the ramps until the back tires start up the ramps.

Most BH dragging situations I have seen is not the bucket but the frame and main pivot are. They seem to hang very low on the CUT tractors.

Chris

 

[GManBart]

If you're going to haul the tractor a lot, it will likely be a pain, but for the occasional use, I think it's a good idea...just bought a dump trailer a couple of weeks ago. There are now low profile dump trailers with 24-25" loading heights, which helps with the loading ramp angle. The downside is they do give up some ground clearance on the axles. Here's my new rig (14K, 16') hauling brush:

 

[alia176]

Good info gents, thank you. Due to my limited parking space and my intense desire to NOT look like the Clampits, I was leaning toward a dual purpose trailer. I'm also thinking of starting up a LLC and do tractor/handy man jobs on the side to supplement my income. Currently, I'm an unemployed engineer who is seeking employment and having some money coming in from odds and ends jobs would take the sting out this cycle.

As stated already, a 12' trailer would be a tad tight but I'll rent it for four hours one day and see how it goes just for S&G. I can always borrow my buddies giant 8x20 trailer but it's a PITA to park it at my place. I found that if I backed up the tractor then the BH does have an easier time loading/unloading. Also, the weight distribution seems to be better when I back in vs pulling in fwd.

I'm happy to hear about the low profile dump trailers, that's good to know. However, when I have to go to the forest to get fire wood, having a high clearance trailer is a must out here. The ruts get so deep, it's easy to drag the belly of a loaded trailer. Just about every fire wood outing becomes a 4x4 excursion with tow straps, winching, lockers and all that fun stuff it seems.

Pardon this newbie question but if I were to use a dump trailer for transport with high side walls, would I still be using tie down straps/chains? I've seen the pros back in their BH and then curl their bucket tip on the tongue rail to prevent movements during transport.

Keep the ideas coming!

 

[Sysop]

Most BH dragging situations I have seen is not the bucket but the frame and main pivot are. They seem to hang very low on the CUT tractors.

Chris

Still, if they are dragging the ground on the ground-to-ramp transition, that angle is changed none by tilting the bed unless the bed hinge is forward of the rear of the bed. I've only seen dump trailers with their hinge points at the rearmost part of the bed, which doesn't change the angle at the ground or help the dragging on the ground as was suggested.

I'd like to see a dump trailer that was hinged farther forward and the rearmost part of the bed would lower some as the bed was tilted up. I'd drive to the other side of the country to buy me one of them.

 

[Sysop]

Good info gents, thank you. Due to my limited parking space and my intense desire to NOT look like the Clampits, I was leaning toward a dual purpose trailer. I'm also thinking of starting up a LLC and do tractor/handy man jobs on the side to supplement my income. Currently, I'm an unemployed engineer who is seeking employment and having some money coming in from odds and ends jobs would take the sting out this cycle.

Pardon this newbie question but if I were to use a dump trailer for transport with high side walls, would I still be using tie down straps/chains? I've seen the pros back in their BH and then curl their bucket tip on the tongue rail to prevent movements during transport.

Keep the ideas coming!

Chances are you'll need to jump in with both feet and do the odd jobs full time to cover the insurance costs that come with operating equipment in other places.

I'm pretty sure all states require loads to be secured in the trailer. I personally wouldn't want to go down the freeway without everything being held securely and also a backup retention device also securing it. Parking brake, in lowest gear available, buckets or implements down, chain on each; the tractor, the buckets, and the implements.

 

[HHR]

Still, if they are dragging the ground on the ground-to-ramp transition, that angle is changed none by tilting the bed unless the bed hinge is forward of the rear of the bed. I've only seen dump trailers with their hinge points at the rearmost part of the bed, which doesn't change the angle at the ground or help the dragging as was suggested. I'd like to see a dump trailer that was hinged farther forward and the rearmost part of the bed would lower some as the bed was tilted up. I'd drive to the other side of the country to buy me one of them.

You would only have to go half way across the country to find one http://www.midsotamfg.com/pages/DumpTrailers
I have used the forward hinged Midsota dump trailers quite a bit and they work very well. The forward hinge also makes the lift system work more effectively when you are trying to get a heavy load tipped up.

 

[Sysop]

Very nice! They do exist (but are apparently somewhat rare). With so many dumps being easily overloaded on the front causing trouble lifting, I always thought that moving the hinge forward some would be a great idea to overcome that sort of issue and was disappointed when my searching yielded nothing.

I've honestly looked at gobs of manufacturers and have never seen one that hinged anyplace other than right at the back of the bed, and many of them with the geometry they're built with, actually raise the tail edge of the bed a couple inches as it tilts.

Good find HHR!

 

[GManBart]

Still, if they are dragging the ground on the ground-to-ramp transition, that angle is changed none by tilting the bed unless the bed hinge is forward of the rear of the bed. I've only seen dump trailers with their hinge points at the rearmost part of the bed, which doesn't change the angle at the ground or help the dragging on the ground as was suggested.

I'd like to see a dump trailer that was hinged farther forward and the rearmost part of the bed would lower some as the bed was tilted up. I'd drive to the other side of the country to buy me one of them.

I haven't put a ruler to it, but it seems like when I raise the bed on mine, the rearmost part of the bed is slightly lower. I'll try to measure it to see for sure. Even if it does lower, it's not going to be a big difference. I really wanted a low profile trailer, but losing the ground clearance was going to be too much of a risk. One of my barn doors is slightly elevated, so I plan to use that if I have trouble loading something that needs a shallower approach angle.

 

[bdog]

I haul my M59 TLB in a 16' low profile dump trailer. It is easy to load, I can easily reach over the sides to chain it down, and overall I really like it. I have a couple gooseneck equipment trailers as well but I see no need to use them as the dump trailer works just fine and is not any kind of hassle.

 

[ErikVann]

Bdog that looks like a nice setup. I should have looked for something with lower sides like that. The sides on my trailer are taller and make reaching over the side impossible.