How to haul a 64" mower on a 61" wide trailer

MESSMAKER · Jul 5, 2011

My neighbor got a great deal on a 5x8 utility trailer. He was planning on using it to haul his subcompact tractor with a 60" mowing deck. He has a 18' tag-a-long he had been using but it is overkill. We were thinking about risers for the wheels to run on which would pick it up enough to clear sides(9").The deck is about a 30 min job to take on and off and heavy as he!! Who has cracked the code? What is the easy way?

johnrex62 · Jul 5, 2011

The easy way would have been to buy a trailer wide enough to hold it, but if the deal was so good then you have to do what you can do.

The only two approaches I can see are as you described, build a platform for the wheels to ride on that lifts the mower deck above the side rails, or to change the side rails to add that 3+ inches where it is needed. You are only talking a couple inches on each side and only as far forward as the mower deck sits. You may be able to notch and supplement the staves in those areas sufficiently to allow the mower to drive in. How are your welding skills?

beppington · Jul 5, 2011

Remove the sides to whatever extent is needed.

oldnslo · Jul 5, 2011

Remember that raising the mower on the trailer to clear the sides will make the ramp steeper for loading and the trailer more top heavy when cornering.

Ramps would be the easiest and probably the least expense. If the trailer is going to be used solely for hauling this tractor and the sides are never going to be used, remove them.

This is why I sold my 5 x 8 and bought a 77"w x 10 ft lg.

Roy