Contents
Transport Trailers
Moving revegetation equipment from site to site requires trailers. Trailers can vary from small utility types pulled by an SUV or pickup to large semi-trailers. Information in this chapter covers some of the basic types that are available, but it is not all-inclusive. Some companies specialize in one type while most companies provide a wide range of trailers. Many welding and fabrication shops build trailers for local and regional needs. Trailers must meet state and federal requirements and have current license plates and safety inspections to be used on public highways. Safety, such as proper hitching including the use of safety chains, trailer lights working properly, and equipment securely fastened to the trailer, should always be practiced.
Cargo Trailers
Specialized Carriers &
Equipment
Utility Trailers
Rollbacks
Hydraulic Trailers
Self-loading Implement Trailer
Semi-trailers
Truck Beds & Cranes
Implement Carrier
Trailer Parts
Description and Application
Cargo trailers are enclosed units designed to protect material carried from site to site such as plants, hand and power tools, research instruments, construction materials, and small tractors. The rear door opens to form a ramp for easy loading. Additional side doors are available. They can vary from 6- to 40-feet in length and may have 1 to 3 axles.
Cargo trailer hauling supplies.
Photo courtesy of Pace American.
Source
The manufacturer’s website lists information on equipment sizes, accessories, dealers, and their email addresses.
Pace American
Indiana
11550 Harter Drive
Middlebury, IN 46540
Phone: 800-247-5767
Phone: 574-825-7223
Fax: 574-825-7393
Website:
www.paceamerican.com
Description and Application
Utility trailers are flatbed trailers designed to haul equipment. They can vary from small units for hauling equipment such as motorcycles to large, heavy-duty units for hauling tractors, implements, and supplies. Trailer tongues attach to the rear of a truck with a ball or “pintle” hitch or a “gooseneck” hitch that attaches to a pin (fifth-wheel or king-pin) in the truck bed. Bed length varies from 6 to 40 feet. They may use 1, 2, or 3 axles with single or dual tires. Some trailers are equipped with manual ramps to facilitate loading tractors. Loading ramps are usually steep and tractors must be loaded carefully. In some cases, when implements are attached to the tractor the steep angle stalls the loading operation. Tilt-bed trailers are available to facilitate loading, and they may be equipped with a winch to aid in loading equipment. These small to medium size utility trailers can range up to about 40,000 pounds carrying capacity. Licensing agencies may rate trailer by GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) or GAWR (gross axle weight rating). Larger trailers are classified as semi-trailers, and they may reach up to 100,000 pounds capacity or more.
Twelve-ft. utility trailer with 12,000 lb. carrying
capacity.
Photo courtesy of Big Tex Trailers.
Heavy-duty, 24-ft., utility trailer with folding ramps
for loading tractors (30,000 lbs.).
Photo courtesy of Big Tex Trailers.
Gooseneck-style trailer with folding ramps for loading
tractors.
Photo courtesy of Big Tex Trailers.
Sources
The manufacturers' websites list information on equipment, types, sizes, accessories, dealers, and their email addresses. These companies manufacture a wide range of trailer types and sizes.
Big Tex Trailers
12400 West I-20 East
Odessa, TX 79765
Phone: 888-333-1754
Phone: 423-563-0300
Fax: 423-563-0738
Website:
www.bigtextrailers.com
Gooseneck Trailer Mfg. Co., Inc.
P.O. Box 832
Bryan, TX 77806
Phone: 800-688-5490
Phone: 979-778-0034
Fax: 979-778-0615
Website:
www.gooseneck.net
Superior Trailers of Colorado
710 E. 68th Avenue
Denver, CO 80229
Phone: 800-326-9989
Phone: 303-287-0223
Fax: 303-287-6306
Website:
www.superiortrailer.com
TRAIL-EZE trailers
P.O. Box 1188
Mitchell, SD 57301
Phone: 800-232-5682
Phone: 605-996-5571
Fax: 605-996-5572
Website:
www.traileze.com
Trailtech, Inc.
Box 988
Gravelbourg, Saskatchewan
Canada S0H 1X0
Phone: 306-648-3158
Fax: 306-648-3305
Website:
www.trailtech.com
Hydraulic Trailers Top of Page
Description and Application
Hydraulic trailers use a hydraulic cylinder to move the axles forward during loading and another cylinder in the trailer’s gooseneck (or tongue) to tilt the bed. This combination provides a loading angle of about 8 degrees. Tractors with attached implements can easily be driven onto the trailer bed. These trailers are equipped with winches to aid in pulling equipment onto the bed and securing it during transport. After equipment is loaded, the trailer bed is leveled and the axles are moved rearward to the normal transport position. A 20,000 lb capacity unit uses two axles with dual wheels, and it can be towed by a medium size truck (2- to 4.5-ton truck). Trailer length is 28, 32, or 39 feet. These trailers are well suited for moving revegetation equipment to work sites because of the ease in loading and unloading in the field. Larger capacity units are available, but they require semi-trucks for towing.
Hydraulic trailer with axles retracted and gooseneck
extended for loading.
Photo courtesy of Landoll Corporation.
Source
The manufacturer’s website lists information on equipment sizes, accessories, dealers, and their email addresses.
Landoll Corporation
Transportation Sales
1900 North Street
Marysville, KS 66508
Phone: 800-428-5655
Phone: 785-562-5381
Fax: 785-562-4893
Website:
www.landoll.com
Description and Application
Lowbed semi-trailers, also called “lowboy,” are designed for loading and hauling heavy equipment. Hauling capacity ranges from 40 to 50 tons or more. They are used to haul crawler tractors, excavators, large rubber-tired tractors, and other heavy machines. Lowbed trailers are designed for loading and unloading under field conditions and several types are available. The large trucks that pull these trailers are equipped with heavy-duty winches to assist in loading. A fifth-wheel kingpin, located under the front platform or gooseneck, joins the trailer to the truck. Many goosenecks fold down or detach from the trailer bed to facilitate loading and unloading. The gooseneck is then repositioned and locked in place for transport. Caution should be exercised when dealing with heavy equipment to prevent injury as well as proper attachment (“booming”) of equipment to the trailer to prevent accidents. Special hauling permits may be required, especially for oversized loads.
Folding gooseneck semi-trailer in transport position
(top)
and loading position (bottom).
Photo courtesy of Terex Load King
Sources
The manufacturers' websites list information on equipment sizes, accessories, dealers, and their email addresses.
Fontaine Specialized
5398 US Highway 11
Springville, AL 35146
Phone: 800-633-6551
Website:
www.fontainespecialized.com
Ledwell & Son Enterprises
P.O. Box 1106
Texarkana, TX 75504
Phone: 888-533-9355
Phone: 903-838-6531
Fax: 903-832-4066
Website:
www.ledwell.com
Landoll Corporation
Transportation Sales
1900 North Street
Marysville, KS 66508
Phone: 800-428-5655
Phone: 785-562-5381
Fax: 785-562-4893
Website:
www.landoll.com
Overbilt Trailer Company
Drawer 272
Drumright, OK 74030
Phone: 888-687-2458
Phone: 918-352-4474
Fax: 918-352-4484
Website:
www.overbilttrailers.com
Terex Load King
P.O. Box 427
Elk Point, SD 57025-0427
Phone: 888-264-5522
Phone: 605-356-3301
Fax: 605-356-3268
Webpage:
www.loadkingtrailers.com
Witzco Challenger Trailers
6101 South McIntosh Road
Sarasota, FL 34238
Phone: 888-922-9900
Phone: 941-922-5301
Fax: 941-924-2402
Website:
www.witzco.com
Description and Application
Flatbed implement carriers were developed to haul wide farm implements short distances between fields. Often they are pulled by the tractor that loads the implement. To lower the platform to ground level, wheel locks are engaged, the carrier bed clamps are released, and the carrier bed is pulled forward. The bed runs down runners to reach ground level. With the bed level on the ground, an implement can be towed onto the carrier bed. After loading, the carrier bed is pushed back over the wheels, and the bed carrier clamps are secured. The wheel locks are released, and the trailer is ready to be towed. Trailer widths are 6 to 9 feet, and lengths are 21 to 48 feet. Carrying capacity is 10,000 to 16,000 pounds. They are well suited for carrying implements, bales of hay, and other supplies in the field or highway.
Trailer in transport position (left), ground level
position (center), and being loaded (right).
Photo courtesy of Donahue Corporation.
Source
The manufacturer’s website lists information on equipment sizes, accessories, dealers, and their email addresses.
Donahue Corporation
P.O. Box 126
Durham, KS 67438
Phone: 800-457-7406
Phone: 620-732-2665
Website:
www.donahue-trailers.com
Specialized Carriers and Equipment Top of Page
Description and Application
Rollbacks are truck beds that roll back and tilt so tractors and equipment can be driven or pulled onto the bed with the winch. Bed lengths range from 22 to 28 feet and load capacity varies up to 30,000 pounds, depending on the size of the truck. Hydraulics power the rollback and winch systems. These units are versatile for hauling small to medium-sized tractors and equipment. State and federal regulations must be observed as well as safe loading practices.
Rollback truck bed extended for loading.
Photo courtesy of Ledwell & Son Enterprises.
Source
The manufacturer’s website lists information on equipment sizes, accessories, dealers, and their email addresses.
Ledwell & Son Enterprises
P.O. Box 1106
Texarkana, TX 75504
Phone: 888-533-9355
Phone: 903-838-6531
Fax: 903-832-4066
Website:
www.ledwell.com
Self-loading Implement Trailer Top of Page
Description and Application
The self-loading implement trailer uses a small crane that attaches to an implement’s 3-point hitch and moves the implement onto the trailer. A self-contained engine on the trailer powers the crane’s hydraulic system. The long, narrow trailer is towed by a pickup truck. It is useful for transporting grass drills and similar implements.
Self-loading implement trailer with a drill being loaded.
Photo courtesy of Tensas Machine & Manufacturing.
Source
The manufacturer’s website lists information on equipment sizes, accessories, dealers, and their email addresses.
Tensas Machine & Manufacturing,
L.L.C.
Route 1, Box 139
Newelton, LA 71357
Phone: 318-467-5254
Website:
www.tensasmfg.com
Truck Beds and Cranes Top of Page
Description and Application
Truck beds, with the exception of those for pickups, are purchased separately from trucks. Many local and regional fabrication shops build truck beds. Several manufacturers build regular, service, and crane specialty truck beds.
Telescoping cranes that mount on service truck beds are useful for lifting heavy loads when repairing tractors and implements. They are powered by the truck’s heavy-duty battery. Boom capacities range from 2,000 to 10,000 pounds and reach varies from 4 to 25 feet. Truck and cargo bed size determines the size of a crane. Crane companies usually offer service cargo beds that match crane and truck size.
Telescoping crane that mounts on a service truck bed.
Photo courtesy of Auto Crane Company.
Sources
The manufacturers' websites list information on equipment types and sizes, accessories, dealers, and their email addresses. Truck bed information is available at local truck dealers also.
Auto Crane Company
P.O. Box 580697
Tulsa, OK 74158-0697
Phone: 918-836-0463
Fax: 918-834-5979
Website:
www.autocrane.com
Douglass Truck Bodies, Inc.
231 21st Street
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Phone: 800-635-7641
Phone: 661-327-0258
Fax: 661-327-3894
Website:
www.douglasstruckbodies.com
General Truck Body Mfg. Company
P.O. Box 16278
Houston, TX 77222
Phone: 800-395-8585
Phone: 713-692-5177
Fax: 713-692-0700
Website:
www.generalbody.com
Reading Truck Body, Inc.
P.O. Box 650
Shillington, PA 19607-0650
Phone: 800-458-2226
Phone: 610-775-3301
Fax: 610-775-3261
Website:
www.readingbody.com
Trailer parts and accessories are available from many parts stores and trailer specialty shops. Cequent Trailer Products owns six trailer parts manufacturers including Bulldog, Reese, Draw-Tite, and others that supply vehicle and truck hitches, screw jacks for trailer tongues, fifth-wheel hitches, etc.
Source
The manufacturer’s website lists information on equipment types and sizes, accessories, dealers, and their email addresses.
Cequent Trailer Products
1050 Indianhead Dr.
Mosinee, WI 54455
Phone: 715-693-1700
Fax: 715-693-1799
Website:
www.cequentgroup.com