Safe Tractor Loading

Anonymous-0 · Apr 24, 2011

Is it best when loading a tractor onto a trailer to load it front wheels first or back onto the trailer. Thanks to all who reply.

Two Dogs · Apr 24, 2011

It's probably safer to load backward so it doesn't rear up, but I don't. I wouldn't want the wind blowing up my skirt either.

TDF

Jim in Ma. · Apr 24, 2011

Weight and size of both the tractor and the trailer will determen how I load them.
That being said, I feel better backing on. Makes unloading less stressful.

Nebraska Cowman · Apr 24, 2011

I prefer to drive them on as backing they tend to spin out. but rearing is always a danger. the only Safe way is to winch them on. And I ONLY recommend winching for steel wheeled tractors.

Jonak · Apr 24, 2011

Unloading is MUCH safer if rhe tractor has been loaded back end first. Backing off, the drawbar has been known to dig into the ground and have an upside down tractor on top of the operator.

old · Apr 24, 2011

There are a lot of variables to think about on this. Trailer height, what the tractor is and what the deck of the trailer is. My self I load 99% of my tractors front end first but my trailer is low to the ground and the ramps are only about 3 foot long. Also another thing is are you loading 1 or more tractors. When I haul more then one I back the first one on and then drive the 2nd one on front end first. That all said so far on all the trailers I have used I drive them on forward other then the skid steer and we back them on, because a skid steer likes to flip over back wards easy

rrlund · Apr 24, 2011

Either way,complacency is your worst enemy. I always load my 1020 Deere loader tractor forward on my 5th wheel to go out and get bales out of the fields. I always raise the 3pt up and aim the drawbar between the ramps when I back it off so nothing catches. ........Until last fall. I forgot to raise the 3pt. The ramps tipped up just enough for one lift arm to go through one of them. The tractor spun around,the right front wheel went off the side of the trailer and it sat there rocking on the left front up on the trailer and the right rear near the bottom of the ramp. Sitting there in my own dirty shorts,I had one HECK of a time getting it off there without tipping it all the way over. The whole thing ended with me having to weld the ramps back on to the trailer.
Just be careful no matter HOW you do it.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 24, 2011

100 % right.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 24, 2011

I prefer to load them front end first so I can position the rear axle between the trailer axles for best load distribution. However, if I am loading where I store most of them, I have a bank to back up to so I don't have to use the ramps; then I will back them on so I don't have to back down the ramps to unload. In other words, I hate backing up or down ramps.

Uncle Ernice · Apr 24, 2011

The heaviest part of most tractors is the rear. It would be best to drive the first one on front ways and back the second one on to get your load centered around the trailers axles, not way to the front and way to the rear. Space wise you often have no choice.
Loading a single unit,it is always recommended to back a tractor onto a trailer if possible. Much safer to back UP ramps. That said I drive mine on most times as the load is distributed better that way.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 24, 2011

I've never loaded multiple tractors on a trailer so always load front first so I can better position the rear tractor wheels over the trailer axles. Tractors loaded have always been over 8000 lb and some slightly over 12,000 lb. I've loaded it backwards but never liked the position of the tractor on the trailer vs weight distribution. Would agree it is easier to load and unload with the tractor facing backwards, just doesn't work for weight distribution.

old · Apr 24, 2011

Again many factors come in to play as I said. In my case there is no way I could load 2 tractor up with out backing the first one on then driving the 2nd one on forward because there is just not enough trailer length to do it any other way and both have the have trike fronts. So again it come to many factors and no one way will always work at all times, so as I said to many variables to have any one way to be 100% correct

Rollie NE PA · Apr 24, 2011

When you have a rig like this I guess it does"t matter. A friend of mine had his tractors hauled to last years county fair by his friend. I like the way the trailer axles move forward to tilt the deck.

buickanddeere · Apr 24, 2011

Use a winch. That way the tires can't spin off the side of the trailer. The cable will tend to center the tractor on the trailer when coming up the ramp. Slow and easy does it.
Nothing like watching somebody "take a run" at a trailer ramp and slip/slid their way. I like to keep an eye on the location of the 1st aid volunteers when some folk load.

Brad Buchanan · Apr 24, 2011

Your trailer and weight distribution will determine which way the load fits best.

I fitted my trailer with a winch and will never load without one if available. When there is snow or water on the deck turns a white knuckle experience into 'old hat'.

Brad

Leroy · Apr 24, 2011

The reason for backing on is when it puts down pressurre on the front wheels of the tractor and they cannot flip over backwards. Loading front first is like doing a wheely when pulling and the front end comes up and if you do not get that clutch down fast enough the front of the tractor goes overthe top of your head and you are under it. You know what wheely bars are on a pulling tractor? Going front up you are in the same position as that tractor running on those wheely bars eccept the front of the tractor is likely to be higher than that tractor on the wheely bars depending on trailer height and ramp length. Just think about it would you want that front end to be lifting up and over as in that pull that they use the wheely bars to keep from going clear over or with the tractor putting down pressure on the front wheels. Every year there is somebody that has a rear flip loading a tractor at a show and gets killed. Years ago before the rollback bed implement dealer trucks and they used a flat bed truck with ramps it was common place to hear about a dealers driver loading a tractor trying to drive it on and they were found under the tractor where it did a back flip. You can tell I like backed on but have loaded tractors the other way but my trailer beds are less than 18" from the ground. Lot different than if the trailer bed is 3' above ground and ramps are same length. And when you get halfway up the ramp and you start sliding down a lot easier to keep the rear wheels on the ramps if you can guide it going down than if the steering wheels are following down as well and sliding to one side or the other.

Mike (WA) · Apr 24, 2011

A white knuckle deal here last weekend- I gave a guy an engine, and he came over with his 3 point rear boom and picked it up, then went to load the whole outfit on his trailer. To make matters worse, his tractor is a tricycle, and he had to do the deal where you come from the side, run the front up one ramp, then turn so the back wheels go up the two ramps.

I told him I thought he would be light on the front, and to be ready to clutch. Sure enough, it started to go up, but he was ready and got it back down. Finally loaded the engine on the trailer separately.

Things happened pretty fast, and I can sure see how it could have been a disaster.

colekicker · Apr 24, 2011

I would suggest this rule of thumb when loading. If the deck height of the trailer is higher than the center of the tractor, load backwards. This of course only holds true when loading on ramps due to the angle of the ramps.

I did read a couple comments about how that loading a tractor with the front wheels first better balances a tractor on the trailer. This is simply not true in all cases. Maybe you need the correct truck and trailer?

scotc · Apr 24, 2011

IF you have two tractors loaded nose-to-nose, or tail-to-tail, it doesn't make much difference on the balance of the load, unless you either A, can't get the tractors far enough rearward, or B, the weights of them are considerably different.

I prefer to load nose-first. I'd rather back off the side half way down the ramps, then clear up on the deck. It's the same thinking we used for setting the ramps. If they are set a little wide, you are more likely to fall off them to the inside, and not get hung up on one.

MSD · Apr 24, 2011

My last load. I always load front end first if it is only one going on but then my trailer isn't to high up.

MSD · Apr 24, 2011

Cement truck lost a transmission. Would only go forward in one gear. I guess he drove it on backwards?

RodinNS · Apr 24, 2011

Depends on the tractor... I don't think there's any one size fits all solution...
I generally prefer to drive them on, but I sometimes back on when necessary.
My observation.... a tractor can lift it's front when you drive on. Sometimes.... When you back on, it's easy to slide off the ramp sideways or back down. That happens often. I'd rather not slide sideways off a high ramp. Best policy is to be carefull and take your time, use some common sense, etc. And sometimes you will just need to winch them on.

Rod

Tony S. · Apr 24, 2011

I have wondered about getting a rock through the radiator of the tractor. The front of my trailer is all chipped up from rocks. I have seen large tractors lose their windshields when they were on trailers.

NCWayne · Apr 24, 2011

Take a closer look, the truck was driven straight on. It's a drop deck trailer, in other words the front end, without the wheels, is sitting on the ground in the pic. Since the truck is facing the rear it was obviously driven straight on.

buickanddeere · Apr 24, 2011

(quoted from post at 20:56:11 04/24/11) My last load. I always load front end first if it is only one going on but then my trailer isn't to high up.

Even if those tires are 16" E rated at 4 X 3500lbs. With those two tractors plus the trailer. Those tires are close to or over their rated capacity.

wd45man · Apr 24, 2011

those idiots that have a narrow front end tractor and ONLY TWO ramps for their trailer are the undertakers next customer. A third ramp costs lots less than a funeral.

Traditional Farmer · Apr 25, 2011

Also its a Concrete truck,cement is transported in tankers.

641Dave · Apr 25, 2011

If you can load an Allis Chalmers G forwards and without doing a wheelie you've got some control and good clutch.

It's easier said than done though, trust me!

Mike (WA) · Apr 25, 2011

Yeah, but HE'D have to pay for the third ramp- but won't have to pay for the funeral!

I sure agree with you, though- watching that procedure was just plain scary!

MSD · Apr 25, 2011

They are. Did you factor in the tongue weight that drops the back
of my pickup down? It's not all carried on the trailer tires. Trailer is
rated at 12,000 lbs. and weighs in at 3000 lbs. The 2 tractors
might weigh in at 4500 lbs.each tops.

buickanddeere · Apr 26, 2011

(quoted from post at 23:37:25 04/25/11) They are. Did you factor in the tongue weight that drops the back
of my pickup down? It's not all carried on the trailer tires. Trailer is
rated at 12,000 lbs. and weighs in at 3000 lbs. The 2 tractors
might weigh in at 4500 lbs.each tops.

Tractors are lighter than I estimated.
Too many times we all have seen overloaded trailers. Or trailers with under rated tires.

Safe Tractor Loading

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