Preferred method to pull trailer behind tractor?

/ Preferred method to pull trailer behind tractor? #101  
You have some of the most intersting, elaborate, complicated equipment I've ever seen. The hitch assembly on that dump trailer looks like the landing gear on an aircraft!
Thanks CH4Ohio. I take that as a compliment.

That trailer came with a somewhat elaborate 2" ball coupler which I unbolted and welded up a tow ring to the tube it was bolted to. It still swivels, and the surge brakes still functions.

I'm no fan of surge brakes, but these actually seem to work.
 
/ Preferred method to pull trailer behind tractor? #102  
And that handle at the top lets you extend the hitch forward to aid in getting it hooked up?? And then locks back after you're hitched?

Very fancy! Most all of my stuff has a clevis at the end that you just drop a pin through.
 
/ Preferred method to pull trailer behind tractor? #103  
I've had boat trailers with surge brakes that did a good job. Certainly gives you trouble trying to back up unless you're backing downhill.
 
/ Preferred method to pull trailer behind tractor? #104  
As long as we're discussing your elaborate equipment, I still can't figure out what the trailer is in your previous post on this thread. The one with the hydraulics that looks like it wants to be a tree spade but is actually a crane platform. ???? The green trailer -- what is that? And what do you use either one of these for??
 
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/ Preferred method to pull trailer behind tractor? #105  
You're close. A trailer carries its own weight, a semi trailer does not.

I hooked both my trailers up once, then tried to back up in a straight line. Needless to say, I failed miserably.View attachment 5712443

With four pivot points as above, I sure can't back up...at all. With only two it's relatively easy. This flatbed is a semi trailer, but by using a con gear it effectively becomes a trailer.View attachment 5712445
Trailers aside, that is some beautiful sky. We're always crowded in on all sides by trees here.

I'd miss water and trees, if I lived where you do. But oh man... that sky!
 
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/ Preferred method to pull trailer behind tractor? #106  
And as long as we're at it, what's this truck with the dozer blade and outriggers on the back?? I can't tell what the rig is on the back of the truck -- super heavy duty post pounder? You have a very interesting fleet!

1778287784185.png
 
/ Preferred method to pull trailer behind tractor? #108  
Fantastic trucks with quite the history, Mercedes Benz Uni-Mog.
They actual imported and sold some back in the 70's as farm tractors with highway manners.
 
/ Preferred method to pull trailer behind tractor? #111  
Ok. So help me out. Whats the gear on the back?
I'd guess it's a backhoe lying flat on its side for transport. The big hydraulic cylinder is for the dipper and then there's a stabilizer visible on the driver's rear corner.
 
/ Preferred method to pull trailer behind tractor? #112  
Trailers aside, that is some beautiful sky. We're always crowded in on all sides by trees here.

I'd miss water and trees, if I lived where you do. But oh man... that sky!
Thanks, WinterDeere.

Being in a small valley I'm surrounded by hills, complete with trees and rivers, plus a sky that's usually clear blue. But there are occasional contrails.
 
/ Preferred method to pull trailer behind tractor? #113  
And as long as we're at it, what's this truck with the dozer blade and outriggers on the back?? I can't tell what the rig is on the back of the truck -- super heavy duty post pounder? You have a very interesting fleet!

View attachment 5713748
It's a basic Unimog FLU 419, aka SEE, with the Case 580 backhoe folded up in the back.

The dozer blade belongs on my very rare HME, the dozer/trencher version. which I installed instead of the loader. For the most part the forklift (HMMH), backhoe, trencher, loader, crane, and blade, are all interchangeable.

Well, in the front. The different shape toolboxes makes switching the rear stuff around not as easy, even though it all attaches the same.
 
/ Preferred method to pull trailer behind tractor? #114  
Do you have a link to that adapter, or if not at least a picture of it? I've been thinking of making one that I could pin on to the drawbar (and hopefully raise the ball a bit higher than it would be if mounted directly to the draw bar.) If there is something avaibale commercially made, I'd go that way
The reason for using the draw bar is that it's BELOW the center of the rear axel. If the attachment point then the risk of lifting the front end off the ground goes up. Doing a wheelie on my motorcycle is one thing, on a tractor is not a good thing.
 
/ Preferred method to pull trailer behind tractor? #115  
As a kid I was have trouble backing a trailer. My Grandfather said look back at the trailer...to go left turn the steering wheel left, right-right.
I never forgot that.
I was taught in an FFA tractors and farm implements class, during junior high, the class was taught by the County Extension Agent: If your using mirrors, never look back directly, put your hand on the bottom of the wheel, and move your hand the way you want the trailer to go. If your looking back, put your hand on the top of the wheel and move it the way you want the trailer to go.
 
/ Preferred method to pull trailer behind tractor? #116  
Actually those
That's a Unimog, a Mercedes. 🍻
Actually those loader-backhoe, bulldozer-trencher, and a few other versions, were made for the US military by Freightliner, under license from Mercedes.
 
 
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