Trailering a tractor

[JOHNINMA]

I just bought an equipment trailer for my L3540 and I was wondering what the best way is to trailer it. I am not sure if I should back the tractor on or drive it on and haul it facing forwards or does it matter? Also at what points on the tractor do people typically attach securing chains etc. Any recomendations on the best and safest way to haul this tractor are appreciated.

 

[Agrantina]

I have a new L3240 and use it away from my house so I have to trailer it all the time. This is how I strap mine down. I bought clevis's and attached to the frame at 4 points, 2 back to front. Then I bought racket straps from
Ratchet Straps, Tie Down Straps & Cargo Load Bars Manufacturer the 2inch ones with extra cordura sleeves- had to get orange:thumbsup: As long as the strap are not rubbing metal they are o.k. each strap is rated at what the tractor weighs and I have 4 of them. Might be over kill bought it is easy and holds strong. I used chain at first but like this way better. Pull tractor forward on the trailer and strap her down.

AndyG

 

[Ivan1547]

I have a new L3240 and use it away from my house so I have to trailer it all the time. This is how I strap mine down. I bought clevis's and attached to the frame at 4 points, 2 back to front. Then I bought racket straps from
Ratchet Straps, Tie Down Straps & Cargo Load Bars Manufacturer the 2inch ones with extra cordura sleeves- had to get orange:thumbsup: As long as the strap are not rubbing metal they are o.k. each strap is rated at what the tractor weighs and I have 4 of them. Might be over kill bought it is easy and holds strong. I used chain at first but like this way better. Pull tractor forward on the trailer and strap her down.

AndyG

That is a great idea using the clevis...thanks!

 

[BrianR]

I put a clevis in the drawbar hole and run the 2" strap through the clevis at the rear and tie off to each side of the trailer, and then run another 2" strap through the front lower portion of my brush guard and tie both ends to the side of the trailer.

I will be going to the 4 clevis system as above, though. That is a clever idea.

 

[JOHNINMA]

Thanks for the quick responses everybody. I like the clevis idea. I have clevis's and plenty of chain and load binders, so I am going to use the same setup. The only thing I still wonder though, is does it make a difference whether the tractor is facing forward or backwards on the trailer? My main concern is making sure the tractor is stable and under full control when going on and off the trailer over the trailers loading ramps.

 

[Agrantina]

I like to pull forward on the trailer. Why- the back tires are centered over the trailers tires that way. Gives me good tongue weight but not to much as to make the truck jump up and down while pulling the rig. Also I would rather back off the trailer than backup the ramps. I can center the tractor on the trailer better pulling straight up the ramps then trying to back up them. Once I get on the trailer I center my ramps and back straight back not having to touch the steering wheel at all.

AndyG

 

[aczlan]

The only thing I still wonder though, is does it make a difference whether the tractor is facing forward or backwards on the trailer? My main concern is making sure the tractor is stable and under full control when going on and off the trailer over the trailers loading ramps.

With a wide front end tractor, you will not see much difference loading fowards vs loading backwards.
I would use the way that the tractor balances on the trailer to decide which way I loaded it. Depending on the tractor, trailer, implements and tow vehicle, it may work better to load the tractor in one direction.

Aaron Z

 

[Carykong]

I drive my TC35 on my 16' trailer facing forward. I have loaded tires that place the center of gravity of the tractor over the double axles. Trailering your tractor in reverse could put excessive weight on the trailer hitch and tongue.

 

[Uncle Wayne]

Some very good suggestions. A state trooper here in Alabama told us we had to use 4 separate straps to tie down anything hauled on a trailer. He said we couldn't use one strap to tie down 2 corners.

Might ought to check with your local law enforcement before getting pulled over. He was going to make us leave the trailer on the side of the road until we tied it down on all four sides / corners using a separate strap on each side / corner. Luckily we had the extra straps with us so we didn't have to do that.

 

[lawn_king]

I have a 3540 and i use a car carrier trailer to haul it. How i have the tractor set up with implements, dictates how i load it on the trailer. If you search my pictures, you will find custom made brackets on my machine for chaining. Massachusetts dot requires chains/straps -binders on the 4 corners of the machine.

 

[PHILIP8N]

Here are some other thoughts. I like to drive on frontwards, always thought it looked kind of stupid seeing a tractor going backwards down the road! Philip.

 

[jbooth]

If for some reason you decide to back your tractor on the trailer and it is equipped with a hood that hinges in the front, verify it is latched good. I choose to haul a small tractor backed on the trailer and the wind current ripped the hood off. Luckily it didn't hit anyone behind, but did require new hood and hinges. When required to haul that tractor backward, you can bet I will strap the hood down.

 

[lawn_king]

Buy dot approved chains & binders, straps slip,rip and fray!

 

[Motractr]

If for some reason you decide to back your tractor on the trailer and it is equipped with a hood that hinges in the front, verify it is latched good. I choose to haul a small tractor backed on the trailer and the wind current ripped the hood off. Luckily it didn't hit anyone behind, but did require new hood and hinges. When required to haul that tractor backward, you can bet I will strap the hood down.

Thanks, I never would of thought that could happen.

 

[gleb]

another thing , if you criss cross one of your sets of tie downs it will help to keep it from moving sideways on the trailer

 

[LBalliett]

Here are some other thoughts. I like to drive on frontwards, always thought it looked kind of stupid seeing a tractor going backwards down the road! Philip.

What's the name of the implement on the back of Philip's tractor in the picture with the FEL attached?

 

[aczlan]

What's the name of the implement on the back of Philip's tractor in the picture with the FEL attached?

This one?

From the list of implements in his signature, I would guess it to be a 6 foot pulverizer similar to a Landpride SP30.
Aaron Z

 

[PHILIP8N]

What's the name of the implement on the back of Philip's tractor in the picture with the FEL attached?

It is an older Gill/Woods 6' pulverizer. It is an I-beam with two rows of spikes and two spring loaded rollers with smaller spikes. Great for braking up dirt clogs as a final preparation before planting grass seed. Philip.

 

[JOHNINMA]

I plan to use chain and load binders to secure the tractor to the trailer. I currently have a front end loader on the tractor and a ballast box on the 3pt. I think I will also chain down the ballast box and loader unless anyone sees any reason not to, just to prevent them from bouncing.

 

[sparkyz68]

Wayne: I live in CT. we have to have one strap or chain on each corner of the machine, and if you have a bucket or atachment there has to be separate strap or chain on each. So a tractor with Loader and backhoe requires 6 straps or chains. Seems like overkill but there are reasons. Definitely makes the machine secure, and we wouldn't want to damage our machines now would we.