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loading smta on trailer

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paul

05-17-2004 18:36:06

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planning on moving my smta farther than I care to drive it.Rear tires are not loaded but I have two sets of wheel weights on the rear wheels rear axle weight is aprox 4500 lbs and the front is 2000 can I safely drive this tractor up heavy duty ramps without it flipping or should I take the wheel weights off? Thanks Paul.

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Jim

05-19-2004 14:49:21

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Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to paul, 05-17-2004 18:36:06

Been hauling a Super M for a couple of years with an additional 500 pounds of suitcase weights. My trailer is a 80 inch between the fenders 10 ton trailer. I turn the hubs so they are dished out. I load it facing front with 2 ramps. Takes a little practice but I approach the ramps at a 45 and put the front wheels on first. I used to move one ramp after the front wheels are on but that is time consuming. In order to balance well I place my rear tractor axle directly over the rear trailer axle. Balances well. I also use a 1000 pound equalizing hitch since I pull it with a 1500 Chevy Suburban. Without the equalizing hitch I would have handling problems. Jim

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jed

05-18-2004 10:43:33

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Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to paul, 05-17-2004 18:36:06

I have heard of 2 cases where lawsuits resulted from trailoring tractors that were backed on. The findings were that they were designed to be hauled front end on first because of the aerodynamics involved. In both cases teh haulers were held liable for improperly hauling teh tractors.

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Wardner

05-18-2004 11:06:54

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Re: Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to jed, 05-18-2004 10:43:33

Pardon me, but that sounds like a crock.

I defy anyone to produce a D.O.T. document mandating front loading of a tractor.

Moreover, the aerodynamic loading of a cabless tractor is minimal compared to total vehicle wind load unless you are exceeding the speed limit. On top of that, the aerodynamics of a trailer loaded with a tractor have probably never been studied. It could very well turn out that rear loading has a slight advantage. Who knows?

If there WAS a finding of liability, the defendant should have gotten a better lawyer or expert witnesses.

I suspect the fault lay in improper binding of the load. Orientation of the load seems like a weak case.

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Kevin (FL)

05-18-2004 12:13:15

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Re: Re: Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to Wardner , 05-18-2004 11:06:54

Wardner--I agree with you 100%. Even if tractors had wings, the lift forces involved with running down the highway wouldn't be enough to break chains and nylon straps and cause the tractor to come loose....Most larger tractors I haul "backwards"--mainly for safety reasons going up and down the ramps...

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Wild Horses

05-18-2004 10:33:55

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Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to paul, 05-17-2004 18:36:06

I've loaded M's on everything from a an old homemade equipment trailer to car trailer to GN to step deck. I always load a single tractor front ways but I have a few points to make regardless.
1)Never load alone. Have someone around to keep an eye on the things you can't see from the seat.
2)Take it slow. Especially if it's you first time. It's a little disconcerting, only experience will make you comfortable with it. Don't be afraid take a few shots at the ramps. If you get halfway up and don't like the placement, roll back and start over. Also give yourself plenty of run at the trailer to get the tractor straight with it.
3)When unloading, backwards or forward. Run it all the way down at idle. Don't freewheel down the ramps.
4)Don't let these guys scare you. The biggest danger is falling off the side of the trailer or the ramps. But you'll be fine if you're careful.

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CNKS

05-18-2004 06:02:54

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Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to paul, 05-17-2004 18:36:06

I have loaded them both ways, far more going forward than back, although I will agree that backing is safer. Hugh is correct about having a better chance to get the right weight on the front of the trailer, with the tractor loaded forward. With the H up, if your trailer is barely long enough (I use rented trailers) the front wheels have to almost hang off the back to get the weight distributed right. For a trailer with the floor over the axles (goose neck, etc) I would back it on, because unless you have long ramps the angle is too steep to be safe. It is all a matter of judgement, combined with experience. I REALLY prefer to find a ditch somewhere and have the back of the trailer at ground level--not always possible.

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rustyfarmall

05-18-2004 09:06:25

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Re: Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to CNKS, 05-18-2004 06:02:54

I own a trailer with the deck over the wheels, there is absolutely no way to get the weight distributed correctly if I backed the tractor onto the trailer. There simply is not enough deck behind the wheels. The only time I will back a tractor onto the trailer is if I am hauling two narrow front tractors, the first one is backed on, and the front cocked over to one side, then the second one is loaded forward. I have to agree with Hugh on this issue.

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Haas

05-18-2004 18:26:19

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Re: Re: Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to rustyfarmall, 05-18-2004 09:06:25

Yes, if you don't have enough space behind the trailer wheels for balance and you are using a tag-a-long trailer, then you would need to pull on forward to get the correct balance. I haul with a goose neck, and balance is not so critical, as you can carry a lot more weight on the truck.

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rustyfarmall

05-19-2004 05:21:46

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Re: Re: Re: Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to Haas, 05-18-2004 18:26:19

Haas, you must have much smoother roads than what we do here, my trailer is a gooseneck, and believe me, balance is a critical issue.

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Haas

05-18-2004 05:42:55

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Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to paul, 05-17-2004 18:36:06

I also must disagree with Hugh. Unless the loading configuration of more than one tractor does not allow it, I always back my tractors onto the trailer. No chance of flipping over that way and unloading is much safer. Couple years back, a fellow was killed near here unloading a Farmall M off a trailer at a tractor show. The tractor was forwards on the trailer and he was backing it off the trailer. For whatever reason, he was coasting it off with the clutch disengaged, but the tractor was in first gear. His foot slipped off the clutch and the tractor flipped over on him. This would not have happened had the tractor been backed on the trailer in which case unloading would have been in the forward direction. I've seen some loading operations (and unloading) at shows that make me cringe such as too steep ramps, no chocks on the trailer wheels, ramps with no supports at the trailer, young kids loading and unloading tractors, unloading in wet slick conditions, etc. It's a wonder there are not more accidents. One of my tractors was damaged recently at a show(I did not see it happen) because someone unloaded near it while it was raining and his tractor slipped on the ramps of his trailer and slid in to the front of my tractor.

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Steve

05-18-2004 04:24:56

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Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to paul, 05-17-2004 18:36:06

Paul, while I usually agree with Hugh I will disagree on this one. I always back the tractor onto the trailer. There is no chance of the tractor flipping this way. The only way that I do not reccomend it is if the tractor in question does not have a slow enough reverse gear. It needs to be done slowly and steadily. No clutching and breaking halfway up the ramps. So you need to do it slow enough that you can keep it straight. Actually backing the tractor off the trailer can be just as dangerous if not more than driving on. Hugh is absolutely correct that the proper trailer is essential when hauling a tractor. In my younger days I hauled a few with too little trailer and too little truck. A good heavy trailer with really good ramps and a heavy 3\4 ton or 1 ton truck will make your job much easier and safer. Good luck.

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One other thing!!

05-18-2004 04:28:15

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Re: Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to Steve, 05-18-2004 04:24:56

You probably already know this but I'll tell you anyway. Whichever way you end up loading the tractor for God's sake make sure that you have the torque(TA) ahead when you unload. If you have it back you are going to go for one hell of a ride!

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Dave H (MI)

05-18-2004 14:24:26

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Re: Re: Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to One other thing!!, 05-18-2004 04:28:15

What does that mean? Engage the TA or no? Why?

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Hugh MacKay

05-18-2004 03:07:01

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Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to paul, 05-17-2004 18:36:06

Paul: I find it quite hard to give you advise. You have told us facts about the tractor many of us already knew, yet said nothing about the size, weight and strength of trailer. I have loaded hundreds of tractors from SA to Cat D7, forestry equipment on dozens of trailers. I can tell you there are a lot of trailers out there unsafe to haul much of anything. One of the biggest faults with a lot of light trailers is too much deck behind the trailer axles. A full 2/3 of your trailer deck should be ahead of center line of axles. If that puts too much weight on the pickup then it's too light as well. Many trailers to, also have ramps which are just too steep. Builders of trailers like to keep ramp weight down thus they build them too short, as well as too light.

Enlighten us a bit about that trailer. One thing I never do is back a tractor onto a trailer. That one is a nono in my books. Hang enough weight on front to keep it down.

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Wardner

05-17-2004 21:38:23

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Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to paul, 05-17-2004 18:36:06

One could argue that the center of gravity gets moved back with wheel weights.

Another could argue that wheel weights have zero effect on the weight of the front of the tractor.

Both are correct. One thing is clear, however. You will have more tractive ability with the weights.

If you are queasy about loading your tractor, that is good. There are alot of accidents every year with tractor owners attempting to load their trailers. I don't think that upending is the problem. It's driving a wheel off the ramp or deck. YOu might want to consider installing side boards on your trailer.

The best solution, for those who find it unsetling to load tractors, is to run the tractor in reverse. Idle down and engage the TA. This, incidently, is the only way I can load my SMTA when the bush hog or plows are mounted. Doing it the other way will lift my front wheels and drag the implement in the dirt.

If you are still uncomfortable, get a spotter to help you. Eventually you will be able to load a trike tractor with only two narrow ramps. That is done by approaching the trailer at an angle.

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Wayne Swenson

05-17-2004 21:01:09

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Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to paul, 05-17-2004 18:36:06

Depends on the definition of "heavy duty ramps". Weight removal is not going to make much difference; if the ramps are that poorly designed as to need the weights removed, get a better set of ramps. Block the back end of the trailer so it cannot drop down when driving the tractor up the ramps. Many folks prefer to back the tractor onto the trailer to reduce possibilities of the front end lifting up. It is also easier to drive off rather than backing off the trailer.
You just have to answer the question: why are there bugs on the back of the tractor seat?

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DON C

05-19-2004 12:36:04

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Re: Re: loading smta on trailer in reply to Wayne Swenson, 05-17-2004 21:01:09

Because some of the later letter series tractors have those disc brakes that dont work very well i load my SMTA on backwards. And its better a rear wheel slip off with the front end on the ground than with the fron end on the trailer

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