One of my least favorite loads is the Cat D-400 trucks. With the offset cab, it is hard to center up on the trailer without a spotter. We haul Volvo's and Cat 7XX series trucks all the time, and they are easy enough for one person.
First time I had to load a D-400 by myself was an experience. It is still the only machine I have ever had fall off of a lowboy. It is made worse by the fact that there is only about 1/3 of the tire on the deck of the trailer once you pass the 10' wide section over the axles. My first trip, I lined up (I thought) and headed up onto the trailer. I made it about halfway up the deck, and felt the truck leaning left a little. This happens when there is less tire on one side than the other. I stopped to look, and had only 6 inches of tire on the deck. I tried backing up while turning slightly, but all this did was get the rear off the other side. When I pulled back forward, the left front dropped off the trailer. I stopped and thought about it a bit, then decided to turn left and drive all the way off the trailer, then try to line it up again.
After this, I lined up again and tried again. Too far to the right the second time. Repeat of driving off the trailer, and line up for round 3. I am NOT giving up on this. Finally, the third time, I got it centered. There is about a 2" window where you will stay on the trailer, and off either side of this 2 inches, and you are going over the side.
The good thing is the trucks are stable enough to drive off the side without upsetting or anything like that.
I remember my then new driver going for his first D-400. When I got the call from him, I knew already what had happened. You should have heard him when I told him "No problem, just turn left and drive on off the trailer and try it again" He was pretty sure I had lost my marbles, until I assured him the same thing happened to me.
First time I had to load a D-400 by myself was an experience. It is still the only machine I have ever had fall off of a lowboy. It is made worse by the fact that there is only about 1/3 of the tire on the deck of the trailer once you pass the 10' wide section over the axles. My first trip, I lined up (I thought) and headed up onto the trailer. I made it about halfway up the deck, and felt the truck leaning left a little. This happens when there is less tire on one side than the other. I stopped to look, and had only 6 inches of tire on the deck. I tried backing up while turning slightly, but all this did was get the rear off the other side. When I pulled back forward, the left front dropped off the trailer. I stopped and thought about it a bit, then decided to turn left and drive all the way off the trailer, then try to line it up again.
After this, I lined up again and tried again. Too far to the right the second time. Repeat of driving off the trailer, and line up for round 3. I am NOT giving up on this. Finally, the third time, I got it centered. There is about a 2" window where you will stay on the trailer, and off either side of this 2 inches, and you are going over the side.
The good thing is the trucks are stable enough to drive off the side without upsetting or anything like that.
I remember my then new driver going for his first D-400. When I got the call from him, I knew already what had happened. You should have heard him when I told him "No problem, just turn left and drive on off the trailer and try it again" He was pretty sure I had lost my marbles, until I assured him the same thing happened to me.