Trailer loading

[DanR]

Last week there was a picture of a Cub howling at the moon. A few rules, Make sure the engine is up to operating temp, always have the trailer pointed down hill, check that the ramp spacing is compatible with the tire tread, back the tractor onto the trailer if at all possible, install wheelie bars on the Cub, don't let the excitement of going to a Cub Fest out weigh your better judgment, and never forget that your Cub weighs more than you do.

[Pony Master]

I am just very thankful that no one was hurt. That could have been very bad.

[phildidit]

we're just glad you were not hurt, thr cub is repairable easier than you would be.

[daddydip]

this reminded me of a very unfortunate situation i experienced a few years back. i was loading my cub 108 onto the back of a pick up with ramps. yup. as i was driving up as i reached the top with the back tires just about on the truck,my tire chains caught the ramp and kicked it right out. i luckily wasn't physically hurt as bad as i was psychologically. the tractor stood straight up in the air and i tried to do the back stroke across the driveway. i learned that needed lesson that,seat time will be respected and i wouldn't make any dumb moves like that again.

[rickguns]

Good advice easily forgotten until it's too late!

[dakcub]

this reminded me of a very unfortunate situation i experienced a few years back. i was loading my cub 108 onto the back of a pick up with ramps. yup. as i was driving up as i reached the top with the back tires just about on the truck,my tire chains caught the ramp and kicked it right out. i luckily wasn't physically hurt as bad as i was psychologically. the tractor stood straight up in the air and i tried to do the back stroke across the driveway. i learned that needed lesson that,seat time will be respected and i wouldn't make any dumb moves like that again.

Holy molly Batman....that image does not sit pretty in my mind.
Robert

[artc]

it must have been 1972 or 73, (i was 17 or 18) i was working in the family business, a Simplicity Dealership. yea, i know not yellow! we had a 1972 international pickup 1210 i think, with a custom diamond plate body designed as low to the ground and as wide as possible. with all that attention to detail, i dont know why the planks we were using to load tractors were simply 2X8's with a 2" lip to catch the tailgate, which customarily was tilted down in a dovetail configuration.
Well, i was backing a nearly brand new customers tractor (gear drive) off the truck at the shop, but i hesitated slightly right with the back tires at the top of the planks. when i released the clutch to get going again, the truck lurched forward (4 speed manual), but the planks did not!!!!! Both ramps fell to the ground, and the tractor, still moving backward, went off the truck landing me on my back with the tractor pointing straight up. it then continued to roll over on top of me. i pushed it off to one side with my feet and was not hurt beyond a couple of bruises.
the tractor suffered a bent steering wheel and scratched seat, both of which we replaced for the customer, of course.
the planks and the tailgate were immediately drilled for pins to prevent that from happening again.

my one and only tractor accident.

i back my tractors on to the trailer, always.

[Scrivet]

..................... always have the trailer pointed down hill, ...................................

Just thought I'd throw in an additional comment here. Be careful when the "load" starts onto the trailer. The rear of the trailer can squat pivoting on the axle(s) raising the hitch which raises (lightens) the rear of the truck. Once the rear of the truck gets lighter being in park, or gear, or the parking brake on really doesn't help. Being pointed downhill makes it easier to get the truck and trailer moving while the load is half on with no control over when everything will come to a stop. When this happens you are usually just along for the ride unless you can get the load quickly onto or quickly off of the trailer. Best course of action is to put blocks under the back corners of the trailer to keep it from squatting BEFORE you try to load. This is the reason a lot of trailer ramps have the extra triagular shape that hangs down when they are flipped into place.

[Bigdog]

We call that "trailer surfing"!

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

never had a problem with a cub, but the first time I loaded EJ after adding the 3rd set of wheel weights I got a brief example of that, except rear wheels of truck were moving sideways.