Which way to load a tractor with loader?

Looking for some opinions on which way to load a tractor. My uncles have just purchased a new to them 08 Kubota Cab loader tractor. We are travel about 800 miles with it on my trailer. I have plenty of deck space so I can load it comfortably on the trailer without killing the truck.

1st thoughts are just to drive it on. Im sure the bucket will kill fuel economy but then again it will be sitting pretty tall anyhow with the cab? Others said turn it around but the back isn't really any more aerodynamic I suppose?

Again, my gut would say just to drive it on and go for it but just looking for other opinions.

Thanks!
 
I like to load my tractors so that the rear axle is cent4red between the axles of the trailer; that way the load is balanced.
 
Yes I agree. My trailer is 30' so I can load it so its balance more than likely either way.

With out that being a deciding factor and just thinking strictly for aerodynamics/fuel economy, what may be the best way?
 
Pull it on. Center it up. Watch the truck squat. You want some weight on the truck. With my goose neck 28 foot when the rear tractor tire is over the front trailer tire that looks and rides right. Truck sits level then. I have hauled this tractor several times 7000 pounds and that is the sweet spot as far as ride and pulling is concerned. Then chain it down all four corners with four binders. You said front loader put a chain and binder there too. Forget about fuel mileage. I loose two miles per gallon loaded. Aerodinamics would be better this way too. Bucket should hide behind toung of trailer and truck. Fornt of cab is rounded. I kind of think pulling a tractor on a trailer when loading is safer anyway. Hope this helps.
 
I think you are over-thinking the aerodynamics. You are going to go through a lot of fuel and nothing you do with the tractor is going to change that in any meaningful way. Drive on, back on, load it upside down, it will never be sleek.
 
If anything roll the bucket clear out and set it down that way, if it sets down flat. Like said before you're moving a lot of air no matter what you do just pull her on and go.
 

Leave it running at full throttle. The fan will make it pull easier so you get better mileage with your truck :D
 
(quoted from post at 10:59:02 02/06/15) Looking for some opinions on which way to load a tractor. My uncles have just purchased a new to them 08 Kubota Cab loader tractor. We are travel about 800 miles with it on my trailer. I have plenty of deck space so I can load it comfortably on the trailer without killing the truck.

1st thoughts are just to drive it on. Im sure the bucket will kill fuel economy but then again it will be sitting pretty tall anyhow with the cab? Others said turn it around but the back isn't really any more aerodynamic I suppose?

Again, my gut would say just to drive it on and go for it but just looking for other opinions.

Thanks!

If you pull it on forward double check that the doors are latched. Older tractors I run a strap across the doors...they don't have much of a chance at 65 mph if they should pop open....
 
(quoted from post at 10:59:02 02/06/15) Looking for some opinions on which way to load a tractor. My uncles have just purchased a new to them 08 Kubota Cab loader tractor. We are travel about 800 miles with it on my trailer. I have plenty of deck space so I can load it comfortably on the trailer without killing the truck.

1st thoughts are just to drive it on. Im sure the bucket will kill fuel economy but then again it will be sitting pretty tall anyhow with the cab? Others said turn it around but the back isn't really any more aerodynamic I suppose?

Again, my gut would say just to drive it on and go for it but just looking for other opinions.

Thanks!

I've hauled a couple like that. For the least amount of wind resistance, drive the tractor onto the trailer, pointing forward. Lift the loader so the bucket can be rolled as far under as possible, and then let the loader all the way down. Greatly improved aerodynamics that way.
 
Never was sure of the reasons,but Federal and many states require a hydraulic attachment such as loader, back hoe, etc. to be tied down in addition to the tractor.
 
Whatever way is safest for you to get it on and off the trailer. I pull my Ford loader tractor every year. It lives at one site and travels to the other. Many trips a year. I pull it on forward, roll the bucket under and down, tie it good and go.
 
I know you have been told this and belive it. Here is a fact for you to think of again just my experience. Been selling Kubotas since early 1977. Best count would be some where around 15 thousand or so. Now granted a lot of the smaller ones come in crated but everything from40 hp up or M series come in drive off. Like a 500 mile trip. I have never seen one exhaust tapped. And have never had one with a bad turbo. Now I know it does not take but a minute to be safe but just wondering if YOU yourself had ever experienced running one or just something you herd someone SAY happened? Oh and I know this has been argued on here before.
 
Not necessary to cover the exhaust.
Think about it. There has to be air flow in order for the turbo to spin. That means one or more cylinders has to have both the exhaust & intake valves open at the same time. Also on the pressure side there has to be someplace for the air to go, intake & exhaust both open. Just not going to happen.
Last place I worked before retiring had approx 1000 power units, rotated them out at approx 500,000 miles. They came in from the factory saddle mounted, drive 1, tow 3 at a time. No stacks covered. In my 9 years there, none of them had turbo problems.
Willie
 
For best fuel mileage , disassemble and load pieces as low as possible on the trailer , there should be very little wind drag this way . Myself I would take some extra money and buy fuel.
 
Well I load them backwards so the doors are hinged against the wind. Helps keep them from blowing open. Since most of the newer tractors have the hardware in the glass now you have it all to replace if it breaks.
As for the turbo the newer stuff supposedly has something in the muffler /exhaust pipe so it doe not need taped. I just take the time to prevent the issue since I don't want to pay for it.
I do have a customer that told me about a few deals with tractors that other people hauled that the turbo spun going down the road. That is why they don't haul for him now.
 
The bucket is in the slipstream of the truck. It won't make enough difference to lose sleep over which way you load it.
 
Just load it so that the weight and balance make sense, also tie the bucket down separately to keep DOT happy.
 

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