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Load From The Front Trailer
This load-from-the-front trailer is a safe, easy way to haul big equipment. I built it from scratch using a 20,000-lb. semi axle and scrap steel. The only new material was hydraulics, lumber for the deck, and paint. The axles at the back end of the trailer and loading ramps are up front on either side of the tongue. When the front end is lowered to the ground, the deck is only 12 in. off the ground. The tongue lays flat to allow clearance for the differential on the trencher I haul on the trailer. Hydraulic cylinders on either side of the trailer rotate the tongue up and down. To hook up to the pintle hitch on the tractor, I raise up the tongue by hooking up hydraulic hoses and using remote hydraulics. Once the pintle hook is in place, I reverse the hydraulics and the trailer deck raises up to approximately 36 in. off the ground. Then we insert two small steel blocks to prevent the deck from dropping in case of hydraulic hose failure during transport. The loading ramps pivot easily up out of the way. I can load the big trencher, hook up to the backfiller tractor, and be ready to transport in less than 10 min. The trailer is fitted with air brakes.
I have also built a blade on my backfiller which swings a full 180?, allowing us to backfill in one pass in either direction at speeds up to 5 mph. (Eric Vagedes, 6855 N. Starnes Rd., Gosport, lnd. 47433)


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1993 - Volume #17, Issue #3