Best Way to load a skidsteer? - Diesel Forum

soccerstud19 · 08-12-2005, 09:41 PM

So we have a T300 Bobcat. Bobcat says it's 9354, so with all the mud, forks, bucket, ect. we'll say 10K just to make it even. We also have a new 18+2 foot dovetail tag trail. What do you think is the best way to load the machine. I ususally tow it so i'm looking for the right/best way to do it. We usually set the bucket all the way to the front, then set the forks in the bucket, with the front of the rubber tracks about 15 inches or so forward from the wheel well. It seems to ride well.. Any comments or ideas?

~Lovin

**Kanman** · 08-13-2005, 01:08 AM

I kin show ya the way NOT to tow it [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

Ohhhhhhh

My

Friggin

Goodness

Notice how all his weight is at the BACK of the trailer. Keep your weight on the bumper, not the trailer axles.

Joshs1100 · 08-13-2005, 08:09 AM

What I did was get a weight of the trailer loaded, and picked up one of these to get the tongue weight. Around 10% with a bumper pull and 20-25% with a gooseneck/ 5th wheel is what you should have.

You'd think this load would be tonge heavy by looking at it, since the skidload weighs 3x the tractor. The total trailer weight here is about 14,000lbs. Tonge weight was only 1500. Way too light for a gooseneck. Since I was going 600 miles with this load, I moved it around till I had 20-25%.

NickKent · 08-13-2005, 08:37 AM

Most of the weight on a skidsteer is in the rear. So I would load it with the rear end pointing forward if possible. If you have to load it front first, then make sure you are ok with the tongue weight. Too little weight on the tongue will casue you major problems at higher speeds.

Rick M · 08-13-2005, 10:19 AM

Besides the wreck itself one thing I notice is that the trailer is obviously very well built. Total destruction of the tow vehicle and I wonder if the tongue is bent at all. I would also be willing to bet that the Max trailer weight as well as the GCWR rating of the tow vehicle were both grossly exceeded.

**Kanman** · 08-15-2005, 12:06 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Besides the wreck itself one thing I notice is that the trailer is obviously very well built. Total destruction of the tow vehicle and I wonder if the tongue is bent at all. I would also be willing to bet that the Max trailer weight as well as the GCWR rating of the tow vehicle were both grossly exceeded.

[/ QUOTE ]

I took the photos of the wreck myself, and best I could tell (was really hard to tell [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]) the pickup was an old Power Wagon. Notice how the trailer is still tied to the hitch of the truck. The bumper twisted all the way around to follow that stout trailer. I couldn't get any closer as I was on the outside of the interstate fence (nor did I try) to get a better look. The guy walked away and was just a little shook up, but he was basically unhurt. He was very much over GCWR.

OP I would definitely get the engine of the skid steer loaded to the trailer nose. Might make things more of a chore to dig buckets and attachments out of the trailer, but you'll be much safer in the long run.

BTW, that hitch scale is totally cool. I have never seen one of those before.

soccerstud19 · 08-15-2005, 06:05 PM

[ QUOTE ]

Notice how all his weight is at the BACK of the trailer. Keep your weight on the bumper, not the trailer axles.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know that the weight on the bumper isn't to little. The trailer rides pretty well. We would like to load it backwards but then we have the PITA bucket. No where to go with it. I'll get a picture soon and you can tell me if ok. Thanks Guys..

O, and i'll have to get some pics of all the other trailers too. One of them is pretty freakin sweet.. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

~Lovin

Coolhand · 08-15-2005, 06:33 PM

All, I agree - load the back end to the front of the trailer.

True Story:

I had my LS160 on my 20' Brimar flatbed, and due to where I had to load, felt more comfortable going forward up the ramps with tracks on.
However - I had NEVER loaded this way, and had a couple attachment at the very front of the trailer, so a I brought the bucket as far forward as possible.

Going home, doing 40 mph on a single lane road, uphill over some bumps, the trailer coupler failed! Thank God that the trailer disconnect worked, slammed on the brakes, and the safety cables held. I was driving a dually at the time and I got it all stopped safely. I turned on the flashers and unloaded / reloaded back end first right then and there. [after I got my heart out of my throat] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

I was lucky that I was going uphill, and no traffic coming my way.

My 0.02

CH

JMS · 08-15-2005, 08:03 PM

I have loaded my LS180 both ways.The only thing that is important is having the weight over the wheels, and 10 percent on the tung.I also look at were I load up and unload. Is the ground level,wet, dry.My forks slid in on the side of the trailer and are always with me.Sometimes I have the backhoe attached and grab the bucket with the hoe and walk up the trailer put the bucket down, backhoe bucket in it to hold it down.You can move the skidsteer back and forward any way you load it to get the weight were it should be.You will find the sweet spot on your trailer.I have stop and moved the skidsteer a few inches and what a difference it can make in your ride.