How much will a 3 foot long ramp made from 2x2, 1/4 inch wall angle iron support.

[4570Man]

So I’ve got a set of trailer ramps made from a piece of 2x2 1/4 wall angle iron up each side. I don’t actually plan on testing the theory, but a buddy and I were discussing rather or not they’d support loading the SVL 95-2. I think they would. He doesn’t think so. My logic is the front of the tracks are pretty light at least in comparison to the whole machine. Before the much heavier back end gets very far up the ramp it’s starting to teeter with the trailer catching most of the weight. Remember we don’t actually plan on doing it and it’s all theory. What’ your thoughts? The ramp has already supported the maximum load it has to support which is a CK25 with loaded tires, a tiller, and a loader.

 

[bcp]

Is the angle's vertical flange up or down from the horizontal?

Bruce

 

[4570Man]

Here’s the ramp

 

[davedj1]

I bet it would. Try it , put a block mid way that doesn't quite touch and see if it bends down to the block, report back. Or video it.

 

[chim]

That looks like it would be slippery unless it had some expanded steel or something on it. The tracked machine might be OK but sooner or later there'll be something with tires that will need to be loaded in the rain. When that happens, make sure the ROPS is up, your seat belt is tight, and a bud is filming it.

 

[4570Man]

I’ve used it several times and so far so good. The cross members are welded on the bottom side of the angle iron so it’s got a little ledge to catch on. The ramp isn’t steep either.

 

[TractorNH]

I would never drive a tracked machine up an all metal ramp. You need to bolt boards to it. Metal on metal might as well be metal on ice....it's incredibly slippery. You might be able to do it if the tracks are long enough but if more of the machine weight ends up on the ramp than the trailer the machine will slide to the bottom fast enough that you'll stain your seat.

I have a JD 350C dozer and though it can be fun to get it sideways on a hill with ice, it can also be bad. The grousers on the tracks are as good as ice skates when facing down a hill and it happens fast.

 

[4570Man]

The CTL is rubber tracks. It grips the all metal ramps I actually do drive it up pretty good. Now I’d only load my buddies steel track bobcat on flat ground. I hated those over the wheels steel tracks. If it was mine there is no way I’d run them.

 

[rustyshakelford]

I would never drive a tracked machine up an all metal ramp. You need to bolt boards to it. Metal on metal might as well be metal on ice....it's incredibly slippery. You might be able to do it if the tracks are long enough but if more of the machine weight ends up on the ramp than the trailer the machine will slide to the bottom fast enough that you'll stain your seat.

I have a JD 350C dozer and though it can be fun to get it sideways on a hill with ice, it can also be bad. The grousers on the tracks are as good as ice skates when facing down a hill and it happens fast.

I weld round bar on the ramps for the grousers to catch way before I use wood for a ramp. Don’t know if it’s a regional thing but mud on wheels or tracks and wood ramp is a sure fire recipe for sliding off a trailer. Weld some round bar the width of the tracks and it’s good to go. Have a self cleaning dovetail really helps too

Brett

 

[4570Man]

Wood is even worse than steel IMO. Just don’t load on a side hill and we never had a problem with the steel ramps on my Big Tex trailer with steel tracks.