Trailers

[picframer]

I have three landscape trailers that all cause me the same problems, same manufacturer, different sizes, when loading or unloading the garden tractors the deck will catch, I have tried just about everything, I tried extending the ramps, a 2 X 10 if positioned properly workd but it's a pain, I adjusted the deck guage wheels to the max which is also time consuming, I built a slider for the sides of the decks which worked but it catches on some lawns....surely they make trailers that we can simply drive on and off or has anyone come up with a simple solution?

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Andy
Halifax, Nova Scotia

[CheapNEasy]

Lawn care business tips

I had a similar problem with one of my trailers... To avoid buying a new one with lower axle and lower loading angle. I welded a skid plate across the back of the trailer.... a short length of angle iron ( "L" shaped, or if you want some diamond plate material) works rather well to stop this. I am assuming you are talking about a *Grate* bottom trailer and it is cathing on the grating. Hope this helps at all.... I have since purchased 2 dump/pivot trailers for my maintenace trailers... Each holds a 50inch ZT Mower, a self propelled mower *One with a 30inch reel mower*, weedeater, edger, pole hedge trimmer and blower. Works well for maintaining lawns... I use the other ramp trailer for cleanups now.

[picframer]

Thank you and this is an idea that crossed my mind, does this effect the traction at that angle as what you are suggesting will work.

My concern is we are about to head into leaf collection season, three of my tractors will have either sweepers or the commercial Dr. Vac units, I need something so that we can simply drive on and off without friggin around or any danger to the operator.

The X729 is a four wheen drive tractor so it would be fine with the skid plate, the X500 has a diff lock so it might be ok, the x300 would worry me, we have almost upset it backing sprayers off a few times.

I have a cargo trailer and it is excellent however I can't fit the vac units in as they are not high enough.

Deere sells these trailers and I guess it's a fairly common complaint.

This diamond plating stuff, I have seen it on trailers but it looks slippery, appreciate your feedback.

Andy

[picframer]

Things that are not working as they should bug me so I played around with this tonight, here is the issues and images

In Image 1 you will see the gauge wheels are no longer touching however the deck is tight against the underside of the tractor (no more lift) so skids on the side did not work as I am afraid it will damage the deck or underside of the tractor.

In Image 2 you will see it's the blades that are catching, I thought of maybe a simple skid plate but I am concerned the wheels would just spin when they get to it

Image 3 - this works perfect except I don't think it's safe, basically if the ramp was 8" higher at the end it works, this would mean a ramp that was 48" longer to get this same angle

[turfmaster]

Originally Posted by picframer

Things that are not working as they should bug me so I played around with this tonight, here is the issues and images

In Image 1 you will see the gauge wheels are no longer touching however the deck is tight against the underside of the tractor (no more lift) so skids on the side did not work as I am afraid it will damage the deck or underside of the tractor.

In Image 2 you will see it's the blades that are catching, I thought of maybe a simple skid plate but I am concerned the wheels would just spin when they get to it

Image 3 - this works perfect except I don't think it's safe, basically if the ramp was 8" higher at the end it works, this would mean a ramp that was 48" longer to get this same angle

Andy I have the same problem with my open trailer .
I ended up building a 30 deg ramp out of wood that I put under the ramp.
It raises the end up 6 inches. That is enough height for my stander mowers and my John Deere tractor to clear the grate on the ramp. I hate hauling the thing around though.
I'm thinking of fabricating a hinged extension of my ramp that will fold down and swing out.

I wish I could post some pictures for you but my daughter has my camera at college right now.

[picframer]

That would seem to be the best route, Deere offered a gate that is sprung in the middle for free, I think I will try and make something, just wanted something simple and quick to get on and off.

[justin_time]

My trailer seems to be pretty low but it's probably because of the weight in the back of the trailer. I usually don't hit it with my ZTR from the back but when I load my tractor on the side, i usually hit there.

[CheapNEasy]

Ok, similar problem as I had, but not the same...

I like what you did in Picture 3...

You could fabricate a pivot *gate* like the one you have, weld in some *Heavy Gauge* Bars to pivot it from the underside (if the gate were down) up and that would create enough stress to keep it strudy when loading.

Basically similar to how the gate folds down off the trailer, but as you lowered the gate down, you would pivot the extention out then finally lower the full gate...

Make any sense?

Hope I have helped at all...

[mark123]

This is a common design flaw with trailers. The back gate needs to be curved not flat. I've never bottomed out on a curved ramp.

[picframer]

Thx bud and it makes sense, I will have to make it removable as I use these trailers for the excavators and larger tractors which are desperate heavy, it's a drag that we spend so much money on a landscape trailer and have these issues but such is life