Converting lowloader

[YELROM]

Might have the chance to buy this HGV lowloader to convert to tractor drawn but think the axles are a bit far back, the centre of the rear axle is 5’ from the back of the trailer and the axles are on 4’6”centres.
If I cut the swan neck off and had it as a 30’ flat bed would it over load the tractor draw bar with a 13t excavator on.
Anyone have an idea what it might be worth it is 2001 and looks shabby but is still mot’d
@Andrew would you have any idea as you post on a lot of trailer threads

 

[carbonfibre farmer]

@Nearly is good on this too.

 

[Nearly]

I've found front axle should be just behind half way down the trailer bed.
Looks that a drawbar on that will cause the back end to cut corners.
Take 4ft off the front of the bed?

 

[Andrew]

I've found front axle should be just behind half way down the trailer bed.
Looks that a drawbar on that will cause the back end to cut corners.
Take 4ft off the front of the bed?

I’d agree with Nearly, axles will be too far back, be a lot of drawbar weight with a 13t.
Not sure on price, I’d guess around the £10k mark?

 

[YELROM]

I've found front axle should be just behind half way down the trailer bed.
Looks that a drawbar on that will cause the back end to cut corners.
Take 4ft off the front of the bed?

Yes I think it would be better cut down to 25 or 26 ft but just trying to make it multi purpose as l would struggle to justify it as just a lowloader

 

[YELROM]

I’d agree with Nearly, axles will be too far back, be a lot of drawbar weight with a 13t.
Not sure on price, I’d guess around the £10k mark?

I know the bloke that has it and he said though around 5k but would let me know.
Do tractor air brakes work at the same pressures etc, would it be as simple as connecting the existing trailer air system to the tractor?
We have three tractors on air but no air braked trailers

 

[Chuckie]

I know the bloke that has it and he said though around 5k but would let me know.
Do tractor air brakes work at the same pressures etc, would it be as simple as connecting the existing trailer air system to the tractor?
We have three tractors on air but no air braked trailers

Yes just plug in and go

 

[startinghandle]

I can't work out how you can have 13 tonner loaded correctly if you remove swan neck

 

[YELROM]

When he has moved my 13t before the tracks sits hard to the base of the swan neck with the arm facing the ramps

 

[Mur Huwcun]

I can't work out how you can have 13 tonner loaded correctly if you remove swan neck

Over the trailer axles with a max three tonne on tractor hitch or if like most around here with machine wedged against headboard, tractor on it’s arse and complain about the ride quality…..

 

[powerontheland]

The centre line of the axles , in this case the middle axle, should be 1/3rd from the rear of the trailer. So if the bed is 30ft, the middle axle should be 10ft from the rear for optimum balance

 

[Farmer_Joe]

surely for that price your best getting a used one from a dealers ready to go?

 

[Skintagain]

Brand new one. I don’t think they are expensive to be honest.

 

[betweenthelines]

View attachment 968663
Might have the chance to buy this HGV lowloader to convert to tractor drawn but think the axles are a bit far back, the centre of the rear axle is 5’ from the back of the trailer and the axles are on 4’6”centres.
If I cut the swan neck off and had it as a 30’ flat bed would it over load the tractor draw bar with a 13t excavator on.
Anyone have an idea what it might be worth it is 2001 and looks shabby but is still mot’d
@Andrew would you have any idea as you post on a lot of trailer threads

Unless you're using the excavator for farm work, you shouldn't be shifting it on a trailer towed by an agric. tractor

 

[Skintagain]

Unless you're using the excavator for farm work, you shouldn't be shifting it on a trailer towed by an agric. tractor

Or on a Sunday

 

[snipe]

If you loaded the digger with the counter weight close up to the ramps and pulled the bucket up to the digger cab the trailer would be quite well balanced. If your not going to be loading the trailer to the maximum weight could you remove the rear axle.

 

[Bobthebuilder]

Be easier in the long-term to just buy a proper low loader rather than faffing about cutting up and moving axles

 

[lexion780tt]

We've got one we use with a dolly works fine but trailer is a fair weight with nothing on it

 

[IH 414]

View attachment 968663
Might have the chance to buy this HGV lowloader to convert to tractor drawn but think the axles are a bit far back, the centre of the rear axle is 5’ from the back of the trailer and the axles are on 4’6”centres.
If I cut the swan neck off and had it as a 30’ flat bed would it over load the tractor draw bar with a 13t excavator on.
Anyone have an idea what it might be worth it is 2001 and looks shabby but is still mot’d
@Andrew would you have any idea as you post on a lot of trailer threads

Would suggest find out what it weighs as it is plus a dolly plus 13 tonner plus buckets. Prob overweight for a tractor. Cut neck off and load 13 tonner with ballast at rear buckets at front. Keep weight over trailer wheels and it would be a few tons lighter but a lot more work involved.

 

[v8willy]

surely for that price your best getting a used one from a dealers ready to go?

Brand new one. I don’t think they are expensive to be honest.

Be easier in the long-term to just buy a proper low loader rather than faffing about cutting up and moving axles

So 5K to buy it then a grand or more to sort drawbar, sort the ramps & lights & it's still not "perfect" for the job.

Would think as it's not a fulltime digger shifter you would be better off going for a agri low loader, either new or s/h with a bale wedge or if you can justify it one of the hyd beavertail jobbies, depends what you intend doing with it really but once you get over the idea of the spend you will never look back, bought one here a few years ago & never regretted it.