Tractor weights compared to weight in specs

[screamin400]

Going out looking at trailers in the next few days. I am pretty sure a 7k is borderline but hoping it will work. I have a new Mahindra 2538 which has a spec weight of around 32-3300 pounds. I have a 1000 pound loader on it and about 800 pounds in the rear tires. Anyone ever weigh a tractor to see how close the weight is compared to advertised weight? These weights put me right at the max for a 7k trailer. I am thinking about taking it to get it weighed but it would be a hassle to get it to a scale. What have you folks found?

 

[oosik]

I've done an estimate of my tractor weight and then put it on the grain scales at the Archer-Daniels-Midland milling facility. I was about 300 pounds light in my estimate. The trouble with all this is the spec weight for my tractor was without loaded tires, FEL with grapple & 3-point implement. I had to use spec/calculated weights for all three of those weights also.

However - for my concerns, I guess my estimate would have been close enough. Surprisingly - starting with a spec weight of 4785 pounds for the tractor - the total package weighed 9690 pounds on the grain scales. The "total package" was - tractor, FEL w/grapple, rear tires loaded with Rimguard, and roll-over box blade on the 3-point.

 

[4570Man]

I'm betting it's pretty close. Is the published weight dry or with all fluids filled?

 

[arrow]

If you are concerned, it may be wise to move up to the 10K trailer. For not too much more money, you buy peace of mind (depending on what that is worth to you) and a bit more utility. There may come a day when you want to mount another implement to the tractor and just drive it on the trailer. Also, you get beefier tires with the 10K trailer. Could be advantageous to you in numerous ways.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would move up to a 10k trailer if buying new and make sure you have brakes on both axles. The small price difference will add a lot of peace of mind. The weight difference is minimal and won't make any difference to the pulling rig. I would also get one with a long enough floor that allows you to properly balance the tongue and axle loads. An 18 to 20 ft floor comes to mind, and would allow you to haul a longer implement such as a brush mower.

 

[stuckmotor]

Junk yards have scales.

 

[jeff9366]

Tractor specs are dry weight. That is the way tractors are shipped to dealers. You need to allow for fluids when estimating operating weight.

In some cases FEL weight includes the bucket, in other cases it does not, especially if multiple buckets are options.

 

[Zebrafive]

I would move up to a 10k trailer if buying new and make sure you have brakes on both axles. The small price difference will add a lot of peace of mind. The weight difference is minimal and won't make any difference to the pulling rig. I would also get one with a long enough floor that allows you to properly balance the tongue and axle loads. An 18 to 20 ft floor comes to mind, and would allow you to haul a longer implement such as a brush mower.

Ditto the move up 10K or even 14K. I went 14K since the spare from my truck would work in a pinch. Also ditto on brakes both axles. Some states require them. I bought 18' and should have bought longer. Next time!

 

[Midniteoyl]

My rule of thumb is - if I calculate that I will be ~75% or more of a trailers capacity, I move up to the next size trailer if I have the truck for the total weight.. If not, the load gets split between two trailers, or runs if there's only one truck/trailer. Bigger/more brake capacity is always a good thing. I've done the whole 'at max capacity' thing before and it was not very fun.. :ashamed:

 

[sikmusicfreak8]

I say go larger as well, but keep in mind truck takes 10-15% of the load.

 

[screamin400]

Went out all day looking at trailers. Fell in love with a new 10k sure-trac. Awesome trailer. Has the tube rail around it and is a 20 footer. I am very limited with my Toyota Tundra as I have a tow capacity of only 6900 but figure I am not using it very often and I will not have this truck the rest of my life. Trailer will be around long after truck is gone. Empire Farm Days is this week so I will be checking them out there also.

 

[screamin400]

Borrowed the neighbors trailer today to see how my truck liked it. Truck is a 2005 Toyota with a tow rating of 6900 pounds. Trailer was an 18 foot tilt all steel. I would estimate it right at 2k. Now shipping weight on my tractor is 32-3300. Loader is 1000. 800 in the tires. Had my 6' box blade on that I will estimate at 300. Trailer has a gvw of 7k. As you can see I was overloaded on the truck and trailer. I did not have my equalizer bars on. Truck and trailer felt great. I only went 45mph and only about 3 miles for a test. I am now really wondering what this tractor really weights. I see a comparable John Deere is 1000 less. Could Mahindra be stating weights way to high? This week when I can get my neighbor to haul me to a scale. I will attempt to find out how close we are. Trailer I am probably going to purchase is a 10k 20' between the wheels. This way if I get a larger truck I will be all set for the future. Trailer weight is about 600 more than the neighbors. Will post back when I know more.

 

[jenkinsph]

So are you looking at the 10k car hauler 20' model? I would compare this to the equipment trailer model that is 350 lbs. heavier.

Also I have found that most tilt bed trailers are at least 500 lbs. heavier than non tilt equipment trailers. At least the BigTex and PJ trailers tilt models compared to their non tilt flat beds.

 

[screamin400]

I am looking at the equipment trailer. Weighs about 28-2900 if I recall.

 

[Stinger]

So I had the same issue and built a scale and tested it with my truck and a commercial scale. Then I weighed my Boomer 41 HST. The advertised weight is supposed to be 3490lbs. It was a lot more than advertised. The rear tires are filled but but with no implements (no backhoe or loader) and a half tank of fuel, it weighs 5225 lbs. That's 1735 lbs more than advertised. I don't believe that there is that much just in the tire filling - they should be more like 650lbs for both. I think that the advertised weight must be shipping weight (without wheels and also maybe the battery and 3pt).