Your advice ?

[MossRoad]

Trailer pictures....

Far away.
Loaded with rocks.
Unloading limestone.
Sure betas a wheelbarrow.
Two mowers, two buckets, pallet forks and tractor.

 

[Barryh]

Moss,

I'm pretty sure that is the exact same trailer I am looking at (very nice). Only difference it has a heavy wooden bed instead of steel. I'm looking at two, one is a landscape trailer pretty much the same thing only it has a 2000 pound rated on ramp, with built up sides a little lighter frame.

The other is a car trailer with car ramps and stake sides, just like yours, is that a 16ft? And yes especially back here where I am located, the roads are narrow, very hilly and twisty. It’s hard to pass even with out a trailer. This will take some practice. Good idea, checking the routes when giving estimates.

 

[Barryh]

OK Moss,

I am driving 3 hours from here on Sat to pick up my new trailer. I was considering going with the equipment trailer over the car trailer which had the same 7,000 pound rating, except it had the rails and 2000 pound max, 4 ft ramp instead of car ramps.

I have decided to go with the car trailer like yours because I plan to use it for landscaping and may be loading a lot of rocks along with my equipment. I like the idea you can load the PT from the side without the railing in the way. It also has stake sides if I want to make my own wood rails.

It comes with dual brakes / axles, car ramps, safety chains; brake box will be installed while I wait. What else might I need? With dual axles and 15 inch tires, if I were to have a flat / blow out. I think I would be fine to get it to a gas station or for repair still riding on one good tire.

Did you buy the spare tire and rack for your trailer? Also someone mentioned buy D- rings to secure the PT with. I think that’s a good idea. Any other basic's I might be leaving out? Anyone?

 

[MossRoad]

Mine has D rings in the front and I use the stake pockets on the sides of the trailer rearward of the fenders for chains. I only put wood 12" sides on the front and sides forwards of the fenders. I could use a few more D rings here and there and may add them some day.

I have two 12' chains for tie downs. I tried straps, but they catch on stuff too easily adn get damaged. I wish I had not bought them. What I usually do is back the PT onto the trailer until I see the weight transfer onto the tow vehicle. Then I attach a chain to the front D rings and through the rear hitch of the PT. I then pull forward to put some pressure on it and set the brake. Then I attach the second chain to the sides of the rear of the trailer and through a tow hook that I installed on the front of the PT. I then take off the brake and use a load binder to tighten it down. Set the brake again and I'm good to go.

My bolt pattern is the same on the trailer and the van, and I have a spare on my van(usually). That was just good luck.

Do you have a brake controller?

 

[Barryh]

Mine has D rings in the front and I use the stake pockets on the sides of the trailer rearward of the fenders for chains. I only put wood 12" sides on the front and sides forwards of the fenders. I could use a few more D rings here and there and may add them some day.

I have two 12' chains for tie downs. I tried straps, but they catch on stuff too easily adn get damaged. I wish I had not bought them. What I usually do is back the PT onto the trailer until I see the weight transfer onto the tow vehicle. Then I attach a chain to the front D rings and through the rear hitch of the PT. I then pull forward to put some pressure on it and set the brake. Then I attach the second chain to the sides of the rear of the trailer and through a tow hook that I installed on the front of the PT. I then take off the brake and use a load binder to tighten it down. Set the brake again and I'm good to go.

My bolt pattern is the same on the trailer and the van, and I have a spare on my van(usually). That was just good luck.

Do you have a brake controller?

Well that should certainly simplify things, I appreciate it, your method sounds well though out. So I should get at least 4 D-rings along with chains instead of straps. Yes it will have a brake controller.

I know there are locks you can put over the hitch housing or coupler to deter theft. If I were to have to leave this somewhere on a temporary basis. Given the weight how hard do you think it would it be to steal? Thanks

 

[MossRoad]

Well that should certainly simplify things, I appreciate it, your method sounds well though out. So I should get at least 4 D-rings along with chains instead of straps. Yes it will have a brake controller.

I know there are locks you can put over the hitch housing or coupler to deter theft. If I were to have to leave this somewhere on a temporary basis. Given the weight how hard do you think it would it be to steal? Thanks

I have a bull dog type hitch with a pin lock that prevents the hitch from being opened. However, nothing you put over the hitch will prevent a determined thief from just chaining it to a ball hitch, cranking up the tongue and dragging it away. Even if you chained the thing to the ground they's jsut cut the chain. If you left it hooked up to your truck, they'd steal the truck. For that reason, I never leave my tractor on my trailer overnight because it is just so easy with the quick attach to just unload all the implements and take them in the garage. After a long day of work, I just back into my driveway, unchain the PT and all implements, pop on the ramps, take the spare gas can in the garage, fire up the PT and unload all the implements into the garage, then park and unhook the trailer from the van. From the time I get into the driveway until the time I'm washing up for dinner it usually takes me about 20 minutes.

... which brings up another plug for a pickup truck, a trailer and a Power Trac.

Let's say you're a contractor with one conventional tractor...
You need your FEL to move some material. CHECK
You need your BOX blade to level that material. CHECK
You need your tiller to prep a seed bed. CRUD, have to switch 3pt implements.
You need your brush hog to clear some overgrowth. CRUD.
You need your forks. Maybe they'll fit on the FEL.
You need your trencher. CRUD!!
You need your backhoe to dig out a drain. CRUD again!!!
You need your post hole digger to put in a flagpole. CRUD! CRUD! CRUD!

No one in their right mind would attempt all those implement changes on a 3pt hitch tractor in one day. They just wouldn't do it. PERIOD!

Bring in the Power Trac....
FEL with two buckets, one being a grapple or four in one. CHECK!
Box blade. CHECK!
Tiller. CHECK!
Brush hog. CHECK!
Forks. CHECK!
Trencher. CHECK!
Backhoe. Mini hoe will do fine. CHECK!
Post hole digger. CHECK!

9 implements, any of which could be changed in 30 seconds or less. Even if it took a minute, that's less than 10 minutes to change 9 implements. And you can switch back and forth all day, at any time you need with no fear of bashing knuckles, straining your back, etc...

I would think PT on a trailer loaded up with implemetns would be a landscape contractors dream.

 

[MossRoad]

I forgot to mention...
I have a cross-bed pickup truck tool box mounted on the tongue area of the trailer, out in front of the actual trailer bed.

This is the exact model that I have, although I bought it cheaper somewhere else. I keep my tie down chains, tensioners, grease gun, spray grease, some extra lynch pins, a few hand tools, hand shovels (yes, I need one once in a while, even with a PT ), broom, pry bar, axe, saw, chainsaw, bar oil and usually my lunch in there. It takes away no room from the trailer bed and is a great addition. I was worried about the plastic box warping in the sun, but it is of some foam-type construction and has been fine for three years, stored outside. A great addition for anyone with a work trailer.

 

[Barryh]

I have a bull dog type hitch with a pin lock that prevents the hitch from being opened. However, nothing you put over the hitch will prevent a determined thief from just chaining it to a ball hitch, cranking up the tongue and dragging it away. Even if you chained the thing to the ground they's jsut cut the chain. If you left it hooked up to your truck, they'd steal the truck. For that reason, I never leave my tractor on my trailer overnight because it is just so easy with the quick attach to just unload all the implements and take them in the garage. After a long day of work, I just back into my driveway, unchain the PT and all implements, pop on the ramps, take the spare gas can in the garage, fire up the PT and unload all the implements into the garage, then park and unhook the trailer from the van. From the time I get into the driveway until the time I'm washing up for dinner it usually takes me about 20 minutes.

... which brings up another plug for a pickup truck, a trailer and a Power Trac.

Let's say you're a contractor with one conventional tractor...
You need your FEL to move some material. CHECK
You need your BOX blade to level that material. CHECK
You need your tiller to prep a seed bed. CRUD, have to switch 3pt implements.
You need your brush hog to clear some overgrowth. CRUD.
You need your forks. Maybe they'll fit on the FEL.
You need your trencher. CRUD!!
You need your backhoe to dig out a drain. CRUD again!!!
You need your post hole digger to put in a flagpole. CRUD! CRUD! CRUD!

No one in their right mind would attempt all those implement changes on a 3pt hitch tractor in one day. They just wouldn't do it. PERIOD!

Bring in the Power Trac....
FEL with two buckets, one being a grapple or four in one. CHECK!
Box blade. CHECK!
Tiller. CHECK!
Brush hog. CHECK!
Forks. CHECK!
Trencher. CHECK!
Backhoe. Mini hoe will do fine. CHECK!
Post hole digger. CHECK!

9 implements, any of which could be changed in 30 seconds or less. Even if it took a minute, that's less than 10 minutes to change 9 implements. And you can switch back and forth all day, at any time you need with no fear of bashing knuckles, straining your back, etc...

I would think PT on a trailer loaded up with implemetns would be a landscape contractors dream.

You’ve got that right, my thoughts exactly. I have it so, I may as well put it to good use. Even though it’s not really meant for commercial use. I feel the 180 is very tough and greatly underestimated.

If I don’t constantly over heat or abused it, I feel it will hold up pretty well. My thoughts are when I get the business built up enough, move up to a 425 keeping the 180 as a back up.

My dream falls a little short with the Mini Hoe option, but I have been eyeballing a ride on trencher/ back hoe. I know you've all seen them at Harbor Freight, and Northern Tools.

I know central machinery, and Harbor Freight equipment tends to be crap most of the time. Not sure about this particular unit though, it looks pretty well built has a Robin 9 HP on it so I can’t go wrong there at least.

I may add at a later date. I know it will be hard to control just hitched to the PT. I think their could be a method to the madness, with lots of practice I should be able to master it like fine surgical instrument.

The too box is a great idea and I’m sure it will be needed, as for leaving it somewhere. I was thinking really short term as in an hour or two, but I think even that would be risky and I sure wouldn’t leave it with the PT on board, there’s just no way.

I am concerned about leaving here at my house when I am out doing other things I plan to park it around back out of view and maybe put some kind of alarm on it, so it would wake me up at night if someone tries to move it. No room in the garage for a trailer.

 

[MossRoad]

Alarms are easy and cheap insurance.

 

[Barryh]

Alarms are easy and cheap insurance.

You bet.