load trailer

jbk · Mar 13, 2014

what is the best way to load a tractor on a trailer back it on or drive it on I like drive it on I can see what I am doing better then back it on but the guy down the road form me says back it on all the time it the best way he says what is the best

D7fever · Mar 13, 2014

If you back it on, it won't rear up and tip over. I always back mine on.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 13, 2014

I always drive mine on unless I am hauling more than one narrow front. I hah one slip off the trailer backing on one time, don't do that anymore!

Paul Shuler · Mar 13, 2014

I don’t know if its better or not but I back mine on. I hate to back down ramps. Where I sit at our local show Its close to where everyone unloads and I get to see some very scary stuff of people backing things off trailers. I think I am more bothered by it then they are.

Dave H (MI) · Mar 13, 2014

I dunno, I trailer tractors several times a week in the growing season. I just drive them on and back them off. Never worried about going over backwards. The beaver tail is only a foot or so off the ground.

Jim CIn. · Mar 13, 2014

It is safer to back them on, but it depends more on where you have to balance your load so the trailer pulls best.

Lazy WP · Mar 13, 2014

First one I back on, then drive the second one on.

JayinNY · Mar 13, 2014

I drive mine on, front end loader and 4wd makes it stable, and how high a trailer you driving up on? My tandem isent high enought to flip a tractor without a loader either. The trailer also has split ramps/ gates, across the back of the trailer, not just 2 narrow equipment trailer ramps.

rrlund · Mar 13, 2014

Gonna depend on the trailer I suppose. Backing them on mine isn't a good idea. I have traction on the ramps and beavertail to drive on forward. If I try to back on and get the tires on the wooden deck,then try to pull the front wheels up,there's a real danger of sliding sideways and going off the side.

Dick L · Mar 13, 2014

It never made any difference to me if I was backing them on or driving them on as far as a preference. The decision was in the balancing of the load.
When driving on you take your foot off the clutch when you get to the ramps and do not put your foot back on the clutch until both rear tires are on the deck. They tip over backwards riding the clutch going up the ramps.

Bryce Frazier · Mar 13, 2014

Same here, I back my JD B on then drive my JD 40T on, that way I can nose both of the tractors right next to each other and be on my way! Bryce

DoubleR · Mar 13, 2014

Last week I had to back my broke down tractor onto the trailer. The loader would not go up , it was stuck in the down position.
I always drive a tractor on forward. As I thought about it I couldn't come up with a good reason why it would make a big difference which way I loaded it. Other than it just seems easier to back it off the trailer as opposed to backing it on.

Dick L · Mar 13, 2014

I have loaded three in the rain and I back the ones on that have to go on rear first in neutral with a winch. I also put the last one on with a winch. Decks get real slippery when wet. In all the years I hauled this junk I never had one slip off. Came close a coupla times but think winch real quick.

Brad Buchanan · Mar 13, 2014

After a fairly scary episode I winch them on to the trailer rear wheels first with a battery powered winch.

Works safely every time even when there is ice or snow on the trailer and ramp.

Brad

Eldon (WA) · Mar 13, 2014

(quoted from post at 06:32:12 03/13/14) what is the best way to load a tractor on a trailer back it on or drive it on I like drive it on I can see what I am doing better then back it on but the guy down the road form me says back it on all the time it the best way he says what is the best

I have to back this one on as I can't keep the front end down going forward, it also balances better. FWIW, I would never drive a Johnny popper or tractor with a sticky clutch on forward...lots have died trying that. Backing on you better have a good view of what you are doing or it is just as dangerous. The best thing I ever did was get a trailer with attached ramps.
I load/unload 10 times some days, they sure are nice.

Mike M · Mar 13, 2014

Well you need to do what you have to get the load balanced with 10% to 15% on the tongue for a bumper pull.
Remember when backing on with regular tractor tires your traction will be MUCH reduced !!!

When hauling one I usually pull it on and put the rear wheels centered over where the trailer axles are. Seems to balance it out good.

fixerupper · Mar 13, 2014

Most of the tractors I load are hand clutch so I drive straight on with them. Stiff neck and a worn unpredictable clutch while trying to ease up the ramps makes driving on forward more appeasing to me. I did have one hair raising experience backing down wet slippery ramps where the tractor slid down the ramps, stopped abruptly when the rear wheels hit the ground, and the front wheels lifted up after the abrupt stop. Whew! I usually back on with a foot clutch tractor. Jim

notjustair · Mar 13, 2014

Depends on the size of the tractor and whether the tires are loaded. If a large tractor has loaded tires I back on to put weight toward the front. Unloaded tires or a little tractor I drive on.

D beatty · Mar 13, 2014

I think the way that you are the most comfortable with. I put mine on front first which is the way I'am comfortable with. I like the 102" wide low profile trailers with three fold up ramps. That extra 3" on both sides makes a big differance.

Brent Zappe · Mar 13, 2014

I would like to suggest if it is your first time in loading tractor on a trailor. It would be best first loading it the way you feel is safe and comfortable. I have a car trailer custom built to haul two tractors on it. The first one goes on faceing forward the scound one goes on faceing back wards. This is done that way to distribute the wieght factor of the two tractors. It helps me handle the trailer going down the freeways. It also makes it ride more leval and pevent fish tailing when semi trucks go pass by me.AS you keep loading up tractor you willl learn how to put it on the trailer. This will help you tow it down the road better and then you will try to put the tractor in that spot on that trailer. Brent

NEIADan · Mar 13, 2014

Well it was asked. Nobody agrees except for one thing. We are all getting older and suffer from stiff necks and agree it can be dangerous. My solution was a $300 electric winch from harbor freight with a cordless remote and auxilliary battery for another $100. I can load to put the weight where I want it and I can load anything running or non. I have pulled as much as a #16,000 TW-30 with duals, dead with a simple snatch block onto a deckover trailer. Consider what your life is worth if not much ask your family.

Kenneth R Ohnstad · Mar 13, 2014

best idea
good luck
K

ericlb · Mar 13, 2014

i always load nose first, but my beavertail trailer has long ramps so the approach angle is shallow, with short ramps, you may want to back it on to prevent the tractor from backflipping

RandyB(MI) · Mar 13, 2014

Well my trailer is a low profile with fenders and beaver tail (1' off ground) and 5' ramps so my feeling is that if one can't safely drive on that frontwards then one better get the hell off a tractor. I've drove my '50 JD B on and backed off many times WITHOUT a center ramp and done it safely. I have since made a center ramp because I'm not always the one loading. If your clutch don't work right then fix it as you are not safe around people or other tractors anyway, let alone loading. So bottom line is , how high is trailer,how long are ramps, how good is clutch and how does it NEED to be loaded for balance? Like someone said in the last post about this, "if my rears are going to slip off, I'd rather it be backing down than backing up."

Stumpy(NH) · Mar 13, 2014

Well said Dan. I also load to weight the trailer properly. I like your winch idea. Maybe on my hopefully new trailer this year. I can still turn my head enough, but there are still rainy day situations where a winch would be the best idea.

Stumpy

waltdavies · Mar 13, 2014

I have a winch on the front of my trailer it comes in handy many times.
Walt

smallercrawler · Mar 13, 2014

As handle states, I have had several small crawlers (2.5-6k#) in various stages of repair. Even with low wood deck dove tail tag trailer and long rubber surfaced oak/steel ramps, I have used a winch for loading/unloading for many years. With steel tracks it only takes a grabby steering clutch to get into serious trouble, as the crawlers are typically 32-42 inches wide with no ROPS. As others said, I can load anything within trailer capacity, alive or dead, in a very safe, controlled, and easy manner.

Geo-TH,In · Mar 13, 2014

Really depends on trailer and tractor. I have a 14k 20 ft implement trailer. It had a dove tail, but it a steep climb. Two of my tractors can go up with no problems. The Backhoe is heavy in the back, There is very little weight on the front wheels, in any, when pulling it on. So to answer your question it really depends on trailer and where you have to stop the tractor. Too much and too little tongue isn"t good. I look for the rear springs on truck to compress 5/8 to 3/4 of an inch for a good stable ride.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 13, 2014

I drive them on , but always be careful like the guys have already said. But the more you do it , the more comfortable you get . Don't get complacent or you could make a serious mistake. I once drove on my brothers GV1 Moline and it was the first time I ever drove it . Well the hand clutch was new to me and the trailer is high with steep ramps . I drove it on but forgot to put it in gear after shutting it off , lucky it didn't move before we trapped it down .

just another old geezer · Mar 13, 2014

The hauling loading rules say heavy End up. or so that's what the owners manual of my Bobcat says.

Welding man · Mar 13, 2014

I always haul 2. Pull the first 1 on and back the second one on, puts both sets of rear tires over the trailer axles. Big tractor in front and little one in rear. Balances the load out good.

Ray · Mar 13, 2014

There is no best way.It depends on your trailer GVW,and what size truck you have.Backing a tractor on puts most of the weight on your truck.That's why most drive them on and park the back wheels over the trailer axle to let it support the most weight.I have a 30ft trailer and a ton truck so I can do either and scale the weight.some of the pictures people post of tractors they haul even to shows scares me,an accident waiting to happen.

toolz · Mar 13, 2014

Dick, you're exactly right. Don't touch the clutch going up, or down. I drive on forward, and when backing off, engine is at idle, in reverse, clutch engaged till I'm on the ground. Seen too many guys try to back off the trailer using the brakes, and it's gets dangerous real quick.

T in NE · Mar 13, 2014

Your backhoe also has a built-in adjustable wheelie bar.

Paul from MI · Mar 13, 2014

I use a 16' bumper pull trailer. If loading one tractor I drive it on. I put a wood block near the hitch and pull the tractor forward until I lower the hitch 1-2". This gives me the best balance and makes the ride much more stable. I don't think it makes much difference which way the tractor is facing, but weight balance is critical, especially for bumper pull trailers. Slightly tongue heavy works best for me. Just my opinion.
Paul

Eldon (WA) · Mar 13, 2014

(quoted from post at 06:32:12 03/13/14) what is the best way to load a tractor on a trailer back it on or drive it on I like drive it on I can see what I am doing better then back it on but the guy down the road form me says back it on all the time it the best way he says what is the best

Looks like you got your answer LOL! Every situation is different. Just remember, if it has a cab the doors won't fly off if you load it backwards....

Geo-TH,In · Mar 14, 2014

Yes, I use it all the time, It puts a grove in the ground. Sometimes if I don't move it back when front loading, it drags, pulls me sideways while I'm on the ramp.

However, It's saved my butt a few times when working of a steep incline.

T in NE · Mar 14, 2014

Dad's one cousin unloaded the backhoe for him one day, backhoe quit moving so he came into the barn for help. 2wd he forgot to adjust the wheelie bar, once the rear tires came off the deck it stopped.

Seemed funny once we stepped up to the Case with the big front counterweight just driving up the ramps, not having to use the bucket on the way up.

I'm afraid of what I'd hear if I mentioned getting it on the deck and lifting the boom and pulling it in before chaining it down.

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