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Pulling 200 track hoe on tag trailer

Willie B

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2016
Messages
4,039
Location
Mount Tabor VT
Occupation
Electrician
I don't do it often, twice a year. I haul behind/on a Chevy C65 27500 GVW truck on a 9 ton trailer a total of 30 800 LB concrete blocks, with a 1200 LB boat.
My truck is powered by a 427 Gasoline engine. I'm weighing in around 42,000. The engine is at its capacity, Hills are overwhelming, up or down, but braking is adequate. I don't see tow ratings for 35000 pound trucks as I do for 13000 pound trucks. Do manufacturers rate trucks for trailer weight? I have been told 20 SAE tons is maximum legal load for tag along pintle tow. I don't know if that number is from DOT rules or other. A 200 series excavator is north of 20 metric tons, well over 20 SAE tons.
 

crane operator

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
8,274
Location
sw missouri
Which is why all my vehicles have dash cams to protect myself.
I'm curious what you mean by evasive maneuver? I don't care if i'm pulling a 200 with a single axle, or a tri-drive, I would not ever dream of swerving to avoid someone cutting me off if i'm going any speed, etc that's a death sentence in any semi. I guess people have different views, but unless a ditch is nearly flat, I would never purposely go into one to avoid a collision with a heavy piece of equipment in tow, or swerve at a high speed because you're going to go over or at least the load will. I know someone who swerved in a loaded tandem dump to avoid a car running a light, and ended up in the hospital very banged up because the truck rolled on it's side. Had he done the smart thing and stayed straight, probably wouldn't have a scratch. Hate to say it, but anytime i'm driving the semi if someone does something stupid my opinion is me before them, if I can avoid something without putting my safety in jeopardy, I will do so, otherwise nope.

Do you really think this? We all are out there driving, and yes, I see people all the time on their cell phone and texting, and others just driving stupid. I can't stop that. But I'm not plowing someone just because they're stupid. And then having to tell some father the reason his wife and kids aren't coming home, is because his wife was distracted by the kids, but because I've got a dash cam video, I'm not at fault.

We're out there traveling big, heavy and long, but I like to think that we're better at it than some of the other idiots behind the wheel. I'll dump my crane off the lowboy in the middle of the street, if I could save from nailing someone, because they aren't going to survive that. I would take the ditch, and we don't have much for ditches by me.

According to you- your buddy that laid down a dump, should have just plowed the person, because he wouldn't have got hurt, the other person would have? I'm thinking your buddy is actually the good guy.....

people who drive for me now, mostly my mom

Please for everyone else out there- leave the driving to your mom.

I guess I'm one of those with different views of things, that you spoke of. Most of the guys I've known and worked with, would do everything we could, so that we all get to go home at the end of the day. Not just looking out for myself, but everybody, and that means the other stupid people out there. Maybe I was just raised different.
 

crane operator

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
8,274
Location
sw missouri
And now that I've got that all off my chest- Sorry guys.

I was thinking about this thread today (I evidently wasn't busy enough) and I've got the solution.

It turns short, got a nice short wheel base, and will take all the power you can put to it.

All the braking is on the trailer, so we don't have to worry about that.

I got a little carried away with ours, so it needs a little frame work, but it will be good as new.

I think we could trust him not to hurt himself or others.

Willing to arrange shipping!

20180110_155220.jpg
 

suladas

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2016
Messages
1,731
Location
Canada
Do you really think this? We all are out there driving, and yes, I see people all the time on their cell phone and texting, and others just driving stupid. I can't stop that. But I'm not plowing someone just because they're stupid. And then having to tell some father the reason his wife and kids aren't coming home, is because his wife was distracted by the kids, but because I've got a dash cam video, I'm not at fault.

We're out there traveling big, heavy and long, but I like to think that we're better at it than some of the other idiots behind the wheel. I'll dump my crane off the lowboy in the middle of the street, if I could save from nailing someone, because they aren't going to survive that. I would take the ditch, and we don't have much for ditches by me.

According to you- your buddy that laid down a dump, should have just plowed the person, because he wouldn't have got hurt, the other person would have? I'm thinking your buddy is actually the good guy.....



Please for everyone else out there- leave the driving to your mom.

I guess I'm one of those with different views of things, that you spoke of. Most of the guys I've known and worked with, would do everything we could, so that we all get to go home at the end of the day. Not just looking out for myself, but everybody, and that means the other stupid people out there. Maybe I was just raised different.

Wanna know why? Because people lie, I am currently fighting with liability of a idiot who ran into the side of me a few years ago trying to blame me, so you bet I got the camera to protect myself.

If it comes down to only property compared to saving running into someone you bet, but hitting the ditch with a 200 hoe on the trailer for example, the driver of the truck might not make it out, especially with some of the steep ditches we have. I would not risk any maneuver that has a decent chance of killing me to save an idiot, nope not a chance. People who will swerve with a loaded tractor trailer regardless are the reckless ones, who may one day end up killing many many people even themselves. The guy who flipped the dump, is not the good guy, he did the wrong thing and is very lucky to be alive. I don't go out looking for an accident and also don't think "I have a camera I don't care", I will do whatever I can to avoid, even at risk to damage the truck, etc but not to risk my life. Not happening. I meant the camera is there so if I did have to avoid an idiot and damage my rig, I have proof so it's not my fault insurance wise. And that is important, because it can put a guy out of business if you write off all your equipment and are at fault, or can't prove you weren't. For the record, driving schools here even teach that, to be very aware of what you're driving and loaded with and that sometimes the only and best thing to do is try and stop, you're not driving a smart car and cannot do the same things if you want to go home that day. Loaded tractor trailers who go into steep ditches the odds are not good for the driver.

You're welcome to do it your way, there's nothing wrong with wanting to take that big of risk for someone else, but i'm not willing to, and many others won't either and there's nothing wrong with it.
 

Kiwi-truckwit

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2016
Messages
315
Location
New Zealand
Here's my take on it. Obviously we're in a different position here with much lower axle load limits than it seems you have there, and pintle hooks are rarely used, but so far I see everyone in the thread saying it's a bad idea. Now to me, if you keep getting told by seasoned drivers - and heavy haul drivers at that - that your idea is unsafe, then to me it seems like it must be a bad idea, and to keep arguing otherwise is pretty damn arrogant. JMTCW
 

mitch504

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2010
Messages
5,776
Location
Andrews SC
Crane Op, I wholeheartedly agree.

His response to this post tells me a lot when he mentions driving school teaches this. I have a good friend who went to driving school, has a 4 page driving record, and didn't renew his CDL, because no one would hire or insure him. He tells me all the time that it shouldn't be held against him because they taught him to "never leave the pad" or swerve away from someone in a truck. I can't count the amount of times I have violently avoided someone. BTW, I have had a truck driver's license, (they didn't call it a CDL back then), for 32 years and have a clean record for 27.
 

Willie B

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2016
Messages
4,039
Location
Mount Tabor VT
Occupation
Electrician
Do you really think this? We all are out there driving, and yes, I see people all the time on their cell phone and texting, and others just driving stupid. I can't stop that. But I'm not plowing someone just because they're stupid. And then having to tell some father the reason his wife and kids aren't coming home, is because his wife was distracted by the kids, but because I've got a dash cam video, I'm not at fault.

We're out there traveling big, heavy and long, but I like to think that we're better at it than some of the other idiots behind the wheel. I'll dump my crane off the lowboy in the middle of the street, if I could save from nailing someone, because they aren't going to survive that. I would take the ditch, and we don't have much for ditches by me.

According to you- your buddy that laid down a dump, should have just plowed the person, because he wouldn't have got hurt, the other person would have? I'm thinking your buddy is actually the good guy.....



Please for everyone else out there- leave the driving to your mom.

I guess I'm one of those with different views of things, that you spoke of. Most of the guys I've known and worked with, would do everything we could, so that we all get to go home at the end of the day. Not just looking out for myself, but everybody, and that means the other stupid people out there. Maybe I was just raised different.

Thank you for your example. Those of us who drive anything bigger than a Prius have a greater responsibility to do no harm. I'm not saying Prius drivers need not be careful, I am saying the potential for carnage is greater with big vehicles. CDL licensing addresses that fact. My 90 year old father in law was allowed to drive a car. He couldn't count his own fingers, but his driver's license was secure until a law enforcement officer personally witnessed a violation.
I, on the other hand must pass a medical exam annually, and prove to the satisfaction of an examiner that I can tell green from red. I carry a greater responsibility.
 

Willie B

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2016
Messages
4,039
Location
Mount Tabor VT
Occupation
Electrician
And now that I've got that all off my chest- Sorry guys.

I was thinking about this thread today (I evidently wasn't busy enough) and I've got the solution.

It turns short, got a nice short wheel base, and will take all the power you can put to it.

All the braking is on the trailer, so we don't have to worry about that.

I got a little carried away with ours, so it needs a little frame work, but it will be good as new.

I think we could trust him not to hurt himself or others.

Willing to arrange shipping!

View attachment 176846


I want that tractor, or sell him mine. I can't find a picture of mine. My son on his brother's M 5800 LBS, about 40 HP. M was introduced in 1939, was the biggest of the IH letter series row crop tractors.!cid_image111_jpg@01D3439B.jpg
 

63 caveman

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2017
Messages
340
Location
western Pa.
OK! You guys got me thinking....

I have a 438 40hp (38hp) tractor and with a triangle on the back I would be exempt from normal hauling regs. SO...... do you know how I can rig a 50 ton low boy to it. I will only use it local around town.

Also do you know if IH offer an overdrive or should I just get real big tires so I can do 45mph on interstate.

Also if you think that I am crazy there is something wrong with your thinking.
 

td25c

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2009
Messages
5,250
Location
indiana
OK! You guys got me thinking....

I have a 438 40hp (38hp) tractor and with a triangle on the back I would be exempt from normal hauling regs. SO...... do you know how I can rig a 50 ton low boy to it. I will only use it local around town.

Your pushing the limit with that tractor in front of a 50 ton lowboy .

Now a G 1000 Minneapolis - Moline would be a different story .........:)
 

63 caveman

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2017
Messages
340
Location
western Pa.
JY,
I was hoping you would help fab up my hook-up....but NO you just make a joke..... OR will that really work?

BTW I just got a new to me waist oil burnner, it's a V871!
 

Junkyard

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Joined
Jun 5, 2016
Messages
3,621
Location
Claremore, OK
Occupation
Field Mechanic
Haha the ole Detroits will run on just about anything! That's actually a overly simple explanation of the process to use cooking oil as fuel.

We can fab up whatever you need. A good tandem axle dolly and some sort of air compressor for brakes. Maybe a hand valve to run them.....?
 

old-iron-habit

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
4,233
Location
Moose Lake, MN
Occupation
Retired Cons't. Supt./Hospitals
You can only haul your own agricultural loads or move your own agricultural equipment to be legal. And remember you can not exceed 25 MPH even downhill with your slow moving vehicle sign. A friends brother got a speeding citation from a cop he was often at odds with a few years ago driving his new tractor on the road.
 

63 caveman

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2017
Messages
340
Location
western Pa.
OIH,
If I hitch an old hag on the front of the tractor will I get away with it.
JY,
You aren't scared of s**t are you? I was just going to cage the brakes but that's a great idea to rig up a compressor. I did drain oil from my screaming greeny into the fuel tank.
 

td25c

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 14, 2009
Messages
5,250
Location
indiana
LOL !

To play " devils advocate " .........

When I started working in the truck shop there wrecker was a 1968 IH single axil home made rig . Pretty tough built & reliable .

Long wheel base , 23,000 two speed air shift rear axil , 270 cummins engine with 10 speed & Tulsa 100 winch behind the cab .

We drug everything in with that truck .

Later set up a tandem Kenworth with a 750 Holmes bed ..... Man what a change ! Aint nothing ya caint do with a 750 !
Haul everything with it . http://www.heavytruckforums.com/showthread.php?263-Some-Holmes-750-action&p=2462&viewfull=1#post2462
Still miss running the old IH single axil at times .:)
 
Last edited:

hvy 1ton

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2006
Messages
1,942
Location
Lawrence, KS
Crane Op, I wholeheartedly agree.

His response to this post tells me a lot when he mentions driving school teaches this. I have a good friend who went to driving school, has a 4 page driving record, and didn't renew his CDL, because no one would hire or insure him. He tells me all the time that it shouldn't be held against him because they taught him to "never leave the pad" or swerve away from someone in a truck. I can't count the amount of times I have violently avoided someone. BTW, I have had a truck driver's license, (they didn't call it a CDL back then), for 32 years and have a clean record for 27.

While I get what your saying, I'm not taking the ditch to save someone else. One of my friends cousins had a drunk driver come into his lane and he took the ditch to keep from pancaking the dude. He ate a power pole for his trouble and was dead before the D9 broke loose. It was 11am. He was younger than i am now, and I went to his funeral.
 

Shimmy1

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2014
Messages
4,258
Location
North Dakota
I hate to be the first, and I can't even believe I'm going to rip the bandage off this, but here goes. I believe this ridiculous notion of "maintain your lane no matter what" has been propagated by the giant super carriers strictly from a liability standpoint. It's a largely defendable position, easily teachable, and leaves little room for question by newbie drivers. As an added bonus, the new steering wheel holders can get a confidence boost from the idea that no matter the situation, if they stay in their lane, they can get away with running over pretty much anybody in a situation that would normally require an evasive maneuver. It's total horse**it.
 
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