How would you guys do it?

Bill from Scotland · Jul 8, 2013

I have been showing my Massey Ferguson 1155 and 97 4x4 for the past couple of years. When loading onto my trailer I drive on front first with no problems using two wheel drive, once on and tied down tractor and trailer tow nicely. Last weekend I visited a show where they were loading a Fordson Major, 5000 and a Leyland and doing it by reversing on, seemed to work fine. What would be the preference for you guys?
Now let us take something like a MM705 two wheel drive, how would you load. Front or rear first? I think it must depend on model of tractor, height of trailer, angle of ramps and perhaps weather conditions.
So lets have some discussion/ opinions on how to do this safely.
Bill

Janicholson · Jul 8, 2013

Shallow angle on the ramp. 20 Degrees or less and good tractive surface. then it doesnt matter which end, unless the weight and placement makes a choice for you. Jim

Anonymous-0 · Jul 8, 2013

That's how I have been doing it for 50+ years. Most people load forward unless they are "stacking" narrow front tractors. I have had some close calls backing on trailers.

GarrettFields · Jul 8, 2013

I always pull on , and back off with a tractor, simply because they pull better with the tractor's rear axle between the tandems on the trailer. I've tried my combine, and dozer both ways, and frankly either direction scares the crap out of me! I bought a big truck and low boy this summer(old non detach neck) and it is lot less nerve racking where it is so much lower, and has a better approach angle. I didn't really appreciate how much better it was till last week, when the KW, and lowboy where 160mi away on a grain bin project. I hooked the 1 ton dodge to my goose neck and loaded my tractor and puckered a little bit! Ive loaded and unloaded it a hundred times,and never thought twice about it, but the low boy had spoiled me. What ever you do be safe, and chain em down!

Wheat Farmer · Jul 8, 2013

This test will help you answer your question. Take 2x4's and lay on the ground just a bit wider than your tractor. Drive the full length. keep the front the same distance from the boards, Now do it by backing up. Combines steer from the back and therefore easier to back on. When watching the end of the equipment that is moving sideways makes it easier. BE SAFE.

DeltaRed · Jul 8, 2013

I drive em on foreward.Then place the drive wheels directly over the rear tandem.Balances out just about right.

D7fever · Jul 8, 2013

I back mine on, especially when I have equipment mounted on the back, tractor will not rear up and tip over. 100 with single point fast hitch.
I drive my old Ford 1.5 ton truck on, keeps most of the weight over the trailer axles, safer on a goose neck trailer. Harder to back off unless you have assistance.

rrlund · Jul 8, 2013

I drive them on forward. When I load the FWA,I leave it in 4 wheel. Keeps from pushing the trailer and tipping the ramps up.

Lazy WP · Jul 8, 2013

It all depends on the tractor. My smaller Case tractors, I load the first (800) backwards, and the second (830) forwards. Balances out the trailer. My 7045 Allis, I load forward. Easier to unload that way. 530 Case with a #22 backhoe, you load it however it will go on. I like to load it frontwards, but sometimes it won't climb the ramps, and I have to load it backwards.

just another old geezer · Jul 8, 2013

My owners manual for my skid loader says load heavy end first. so I back it on when its just the loader and drive it on when I have the backhoe attached.

newfarmer9 · Jul 8, 2013

Any narrow fronts, ALWAYS back on and drive off. Strongly reduces the risk of tipping. Otherwise if the tractor is fairly well balanced, I drive on and back off.

Royse · Jul 8, 2013

Short wheel base tractors, like my Ford N's I back on.
Helps prevents wheelies going on or "panic brakes" coming off causing a flip.
All the others vary based on weight and what I'm putting on the trailer.
Like WGWKy2 mentioned stacking narrow fronts, etc.

Frank 41 · Jul 8, 2013

I mostly drive on because my B's have a high reverse and a slower forward gear. In the old days when hauling tricycles, I would back one on and drive the next one and nose them tight togather to save room for more tractors. But we had shorter trailers then and just get four on.

Paul from MI · Jul 8, 2013

For my tractors(John Deere H & B, Allis B, & Farmall H) and my trailer(16ft bumper pull, 3500# tandem) everything balances best driving on until the tongue drops about 1" below unloaded height. If I haul my John Deere #290 planter too, then I load it first, then I back on to get the same balance point. This method has worked well for me for a number of years. Trailer pulls well and doesn't "porpoise" or "sway".

T in NE · Jul 8, 2013

Tractors forward. Skid-loader, forward if it will, backwards if it won"t. If I had to back the loader on the low-bed I"d turn it around and nose the bucket into the bulkhead to chain it down.

willie in mn · Jul 8, 2013

Slightly O T. Old Army proceedure for loading deuce& half with pup trailer in C 130 & C 133 aircraft.
Back it up the ramp! In case it starts to get crooked, just drop the clutch, aim the steering down the ramp, the rest will follow.
Personally think the same with a tractor. If it gets crooked, much easier to aim the steering forward down the ramp than to try backing down.
Some may agree with me, others will disagree. That's what makes this board great.
Willie

JRSutton · Jul 8, 2013

I prefer backing on.

That way, whether going up or coming down - I just feel like I'd have more control in that position should something go wrong and I could roll away quickly with some control.

Of course, I'm probably wrong, but when it's gotta be done it's gotta be done, and I might as well enjoy the safe feeling my ignorance gives me.

moresmoke · Jul 8, 2013

Lugged steel wheels or tracks always go on backwards. Rubber tires whatever works to fit/balance. My G707 goes on forwards, the whellie bars catch if I try to back on... I always thought it was fun loading Cats forward on a tilt deck, as long as I had a good rops over my head!

Jim CIn. · Jul 8, 2013

You have to balance your load, but it is almost always safer to back on if you can.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 8, 2013

Skid steers always go on backwards. 1. There is no chance for the machine to flip backwards on the frame 2. Too much weight at the back of the trailer will cause the trailer to have a dangerous sway at speed. Sometimes at a relatively low speed.

Scott-SD · Jul 9, 2013

Here's what they did back then with fords.

Bill from Scotland · Jul 9, 2013

So with loading the 707 which is similar to my 705/97 what height is your trailer or what angle is the ramp? I somehow think they might tend to rear at the front (the 97 4x4) is fine but its got the extra weight with that heavy axle. Havent tried the two wheel drive ones yet so just asking.

moresmoke · Jul 9, 2013

My trailer would be pretty similar to the one in your pic. Any of the 6 cyl MMs should have plenty of front weight to keep the nose down!

Nebraska Cowman · Jul 9, 2013

I prefer to drive on and back off. But whatever is needed to make the load balance. Just be careful and never load on a wet or icy deck. Steel wheels should be winched on.

caterpillar guy · Jul 9, 2013

I prefer to load all 2 bangers backed on the rest don't matter to me. The front ends are so light.
If you happen to need to stop fast and don't get both brakes it can get ugly real fast. I load 5 - 6 tractors on one load so the weight per tractor is not a big deal.

How would you guys do it?

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