Center ramp for narrow front end

[scott>]

I bought a John Deere 50 narrow front tractor. I need to load it in my trailer and was wondering about a center ramp. Would a 2x12 be suitable or would I need something heavier? I’m not comfortable doing the two ramp approach. Thanks

 

[Jim.ME]

Welcome to the forums.

What species 2x12? Full 2" thick?

You might want to consider having a good aluminum ramp made, if you plan on the 50 being a long-term tractor that you are going to move often.

Edit: Length needed for the ramp will be a factor as well.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

2"x 12"rough sawed oak should be plenty strong, I would think.

 

[wh]

Never did it but have seen numerous narrow fronts loaded with only two ramps. Driver comes at angle and drive front up ramp then spins on rear wheel and goes straight.

 

[Jim.ME]

Never did it but have seen numerous narrow fronts loaded with only two ramps. Driver comes at angle and drive front up ramp then spins on rear wheel and goes straight.

Yes, that works and many do load and unload that way. However, in his first post here he said he was not comfortable doing that, thus wants a third ramp.

 

[wh]

Yes, that works and many do load and unload that way. However, in his first post here he said he was not comfortable doing that, thus wants a third ramp.

Don’t blame him. I would try it on a low body trailer but not on a taller one. Have seen it done on taller ones.

 

[Steve in VA]

I bought a John Deere 50 narrow front tractor. I need to load it in my trailer and was wondering about a center ramp. Would a 2x12 be suitable or would I need something heavier? I’m not comfortable doing the two ramp approach. Thanks

A picture of the trailer may help in advise and may offer a new option.

 

[Duner Wi]

Block your 2X12 at the midway point. That will make a difference for how much weight 2X12 can take .

 

[Charlie M]

I've done it with a full 2x12 beech plank before. You definitely want a good hardwood like beech, oak or maple. I've had the weight of the rear of a Farmall H on that plank before but that might have been not the best decision. Got away with it that time.

 

[Jim.ME]

Looking at your avatar a few times today, it appears you have been back at least a couple times. It often helps if you answer questions that have been asked. Two-way communication is good.

 

[flying belgian]

Could you bolt 2 2x12s together? Or would that get to heavy to lift? How long does it need to be?

 

[wh]

4 x 6 would work. Only has to fit one tire.

 

[Tony in SD]

The simplest and easiest way to load a NF, although not the cheapest, is to use a tilt bed trailer. Once you have used a tilt bed, you will never go back to ramps again. For your present need, no lifting heavy ramps, hopeing to set them in the right place the first time, rusted ramp latches, speed of loading and a lot of other reasons.

 

[joeysmith]

Another possibility depending on trailer height
Simple set of car ramps

 

[Tgrasher]

Loaded narrow fronts many times both ways, the middle board is much easier. Made my ramps with a bolted on piece of angle iron that hooked over the metal angle iron going across the end of the trailer. No more scooting ramps.

 

[Sleufoot]

I have a 22 ft dove tail trailer and needed a center ramp so I just went and bought another ramp from a trailer dealer. Much easier and less worry. Tom in Mn

 

[SkipperII]

A 2x12 with 2x3/16 angle bolted to the edges will be more than adequate. Used them for several years on my old car and truck hauler. I also used a couple straps between the angles, to prevent the 2xs from splitting.

 

[ss55]

4 x 6 would work. Only has to fit one tire.

The narrow front on a JD 50 would probably be a Roll-O-Matic with about 5 inches of up and down travel between the two front tires. If one tire drops off the ramp that tire will drop the full 5 inches while the front end of the tractor will only drop 2 1/2 inches, just as if the tire dropped into a furrow. I guess a 4 X 6 could still work as a center ramp under one tire, but my nerves would not let me try it nor watch someone else try it.

I like the idea of bolting two or three angle irons under a pine 2 x 12 ( 1 1/2 x 11 1/4 ) to make a center ramp with blocking under the halfway point. Two pine 2 X 12s side by side bolted to a strong channel running under the center with similar sized angle irons under the outside edges would be more to my liking, ( if I could still lift it ). However, as already suggested, it might be as just as simple to purchase or fabricate a third ramp identical to the two outer ramps in a width that the OP is comfortable with. How long and wide are the two outer ramps?

 

[Princeton Bill]

A picture would be nice. In the Transport forum you stated trailer was dovetailed, how high off the ground is the dovetail?

 

[DPittman]

Friend of mine loads his H Farmall with two 2x8 6’ long. His trailer is deck over tire configuration so pretty tall. Another detail is the H has been fitted with a 7.3 V-8 diesel from an old Ford truck. His tricycle front is pretty heavy