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Tag Tilt Options

Joined
Jan 18, 2021
Messages
22
Location
WA
We are getting to the point where we need to start shopping for a tag tilt trailer before the end of the year. Our mack tandem axle is becoming critical in our business and we are still moving our CTL and KX040 separately with the 5500. Ideally we want the ability to move both of those at the same time to a job.

Do you guys use a valve on the hydraulic cylinder to lock the trailer tilted down or use the equipment to hold it down while loading the first machine?

Additionally, our next purchase will likely be a larger excavator in the 8 or 15 ton range so we are also thinking about just jumping to a triple axle which will give more room for double loading and allow for more weight later on. From reading and talking to others it sounds like the front tires get beat up pretty hard. Does anyone on here have a triple with a front axle lift?

Finally, are there any other things I should consider with this situation?
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,250
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
Welcome to the Forums!

Give us a little background on what you do and how often you move. The first advice is always buy the largest and heaviest trailer you can afford that works for you business. Of course there are many other factors.

Not familiar with tilts but I have a 54K tandem tag that we've hauled 953's, D6N's and 315's on a regular basis. It's good for 40K lbs which all 3 of those were close. Anything heavier would require a 3rd axle. I've kicked around the idea of adding a 3rd air lift axle but don't have the truck to pull that kind of weight.

Once we moved a 321CLCR on it a short distance and I made a deal with the Lord that if he showed us grace to get to where we were going I would never do it again and I will keep that promise till I die.
 
Joined
Jan 18, 2021
Messages
22
Location
WA
We specialize in concrete, but does a lot of excavation and piping along with that. Hoping to add in septic systems to that list next year as well. Most jobs are 2-6 days. Some short ones and some longer ones for bigger foundations where we do the excavation and all the concrete.

Right now we mainly use a 14k gooseneck dump trailer to move everything. It works for our smaller deere 35c and the skid steer, but the Kubota is getting too heavy. We had planned on get a drop deck tilt with 10k axles, but they are pretty pricey and we are noticing that the dump truck is coming to pretty much every job anyway.

We have looked at a couple used two axle tags locally but they don't come up often and have all been way too beat up for the price. Looking at new the price difference between a quality two axle versus three axle isn't that bad. I think we could squeeze everything we want onto a two axle, but I also don't want to limit myself in excavator choice. If we get to the point of needing a 160 or larger we would likely move to a lowboy.
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,250
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
A 160 is doable on a heavy tandem here but I'm not familiar with your weight laws in WA.

If I had to buy another heavy tag it would be a tandem with 3rd lift axle. Might as well have the extra capacity and keep it up when not needed. If the 3rd axle has brakes even better as you can lower it on the HWY for a smoother ride and extra brakes. Now I wouldn't own a tri-axle trailer that didn't have an air lift front axle. Tri's are hard on front axle tires whether single or dual.

Never had a tilt trailer but would consider one. Tilts are not very common here as most of the tags are the "paver special" types with the long beaver tail and long hydraulic ramps which work well.
 

skyking1

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2020
Messages
7,465
Location
washington
We can't go beyond the JD 120 I have on a tandem here. It is maxed out to the federal 34K per two axle rule. Do check on the local laws.
I have loaded two lighter pieces on it, but always a pain by yourself.
The tilt cushion cylinder does not have a remote valve to lock it in place. It is a metering valve to make for a nice soft tilt action.
Two guys it is a breeze. One drives up till he just clears the tail, and then the other guy starts on. Lighter piece of iron up front.
Then they both move forward close together and the trailer does not tip prematurely due to the heavier equipment halfway on the back.
The advantage of the tilt IMO is maneuverability. It is short and easy to get into tight jobsites, and I knife it to drop the tail to the other side of a curb without blocking a whole road.
 
Joined
Jan 18, 2021
Messages
22
Location
WA
That's what I was thinking regarding WA limits. All the 145s and 160s I see are on triples out hereits pretty crazy to post this and within two hours have someone reply who's a stones throw away. Saw your thread on the house and found out you're near sequim too.

I reached out to capital equipment who make the Olympic tilt trailers about getting it plumbed with a lock out valve and asked if they can do an air lift front axle.
 

DeereJohn

Active Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2014
Messages
43
Location
PA
We are getting to the point where we need to start shopping for a tag tilt trailer before the end of the year. Our mack tandem axle is becoming critical in our business and we are still moving our CTL and KX040 separately with the 5500. Ideally we want the ability to move both of those at the same time to a job.

Do you guys use a valve on the hydraulic cylinder to lock the trailer tilted down or use the equipment to hold it down while loading the first machine?

Additionally, our next purchase will likely be a larger excavator in the 8 or 15 ton range so we are also thinking about just jumping to a triple axle which will give more room for double loading and allow for more weight later on. From reading and talking to others it sounds like the front tires get beat up pretty hard. Does anyone on here have a triple with a front axle lift?

Finally, are there any other things I should consider with this situation?

We bought a Felling FT-20-2T this year, be it smaller then what you are looking for, I can comment on the tilt. It is nothing more than a hydraulic cylinder with both ports tied together with a glorified ball valve. You would not be able to load two machines with this set up. We ended up adding hydraulic jacks and used a switching valve so the pump can control the deck tilt as well.
 

skyking1

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2020
Messages
7,465
Location
washington
That's what I was thinking regarding WA limits. All the 145s and 160s I see are on triples out hereits pretty crazy to post this and within two hours have someone reply who's a stones throw away. Saw your thread on the house and found out you're near sequim too.

I reached out to capital equipment who make the Olympic tilt trailers about getting it plumbed with a lock out valve and asked if they can do an air lift front axle.
I'm not near Sequim..........yet :D
 

Jonas302

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2015
Messages
1,197
Location
mn
Have you seen the tilt trailers with a stationary bed up front? Working 2 pieces on a tilt trailer is a pain they were never intended to have all that weight hanging up front when the tail is on the ground
If I had the plans that you do I would forget the tilt and get something with nice air ramps
 

skyking1

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2020
Messages
7,465
Location
washington
two little pieces of iron are not a lot of weight. a KX 40 and a CTL are only 2/3rds of the JD120, they are pretty gentle on the trailer compared to that hot "steel on steel" action :)
 

skyking1

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2020
Messages
7,465
Location
washington
I think of those as the oil tankers of the trailer world. If I wanted a 160 excavator I'd be stuck with it.
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,250
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
Just my $.035 adjusted for inflation but stay far, far away from Econoline. Very cheaply built trailers, their manufacturing facility is in northwest AL and a good friend of mine used to build them.

A good Alabama made trailer is Betterbuilt. Our heavy tag is a Betterbuilt of 2004 vintage that all we've had to do is put a deck once, tires as usual, a couple of lights and one brake can. It's been a tough trailer I'd recommend.
 

Truck Shop

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2015
Messages
16,556
Location
WWW.
That photo is strictly a representation, For a three axle preferably a Trail King.
 

Tyler d4c

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 2, 2016
Messages
1,750
Location
Salix Pa
Just my $.035 adjusted for inflation but stay far, far away from Econoline. Very cheaply built trailers, their manufacturing facility is in northwest AL and a good friend of mine used to build them.

A good Alabama made trailer is Betterbuilt. Our heavy tag is a Betterbuilt of 2004 vintage that all we've had to do is put a deck once, tires as usual, a couple of lights and one brake can. It's been a tough trailer I'd recommend.
Does Pitts build a tag along I pull a 35 ton hiboy or whatever they call then it's heavy I thing you could put 50 ton on it and not break it. I believe there out of Alabama also.
 

CM1995

Administrator
Joined
Jan 21, 2007
Messages
13,250
Location
Alabama
Occupation
Running what I brung and taking what I win
Trail King is a great trailer, actually one of the best on the market. Special ordered a deck over 14K dual axle single wheel back in 1996. Spec'd the easy flip over ramps and traction aids on the beaver tail. Served it's purpose well for years pulling skids, CTL's and minis behind an IH 4300 and 4700.

A couple of years ago we converted it to a dump trailer as we use pan trailers to move the small stuff.

IMG_2515.jpeg
 
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