Extending a 22ft deck over trailer by 3-1/2 ft.

[mcmxi]

I have to haul the MX and flail to a job this afternoon/evening so had to wrap up a few things. I got the pallet forks cut down so that the rear of the deck sits flat on the ground. I also managed to get all four bolts through the stake pockets and trailer frame and nuts installed.

I welded up the top flanges of all of the C-channel cross members and will get to the underside later. I finished up all the welding under the deck with the exception of the deck to the frame. I made it much harder for myself by putting the deck plate on before doing all of the vertical up welds. I did a bunch of overhead welds too and am ok with how it turned out.

I don't need the extension to haul the MX and flail but I can put the bucket on and have lots of room to move the load around. I do need to weld on the CURT load leveling hooks at some point but will need to add plate inside the I-beam web area.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Nice welds.

 

[mcmxi]

Nice welds.

Thanks.

I towed the MX and flail yesterday afternoon for a 4-1/2 hour job, and the trailer worked well other than incorrect tongue weight on the way out. It's not fun when the tongue weight is too light for the load. I rolled the bucket back and got the tractor further forward for the return trip and it was a lot better. I have to say, the reduction in deck angle is an improvement for sure.

Here's the hefty MX with much of the weight sitting on the extension. I have a bit more welding to do before I haul the M6060 and folding cutter to my friend's place. I ran out of ER70S-6 welding wire so need to pick up some more. I have two rolls of flux cored wire and plenty of 6011 and 7018 rods but need wire regardless.

 

[Tarmy]

Thanks.

I towed the MX and flail yesterday afternoon for a 4-1/2 hour job, and the trailer worked well other than incorrect tongue weight on the way out. It's not fun when the tongue weight is too light for the load. I rolled the bucket back and got the tractor further forward for the return trip and it was a lot better. I have to say, the reduction in deck angle is an improvement for sure.

Here's the hefty MX with much of the weight sitting on the extension. I have a bit more welding to do before I haul the M6060 and folding cutter to my friend's place. I ran out of ER70S-6 welding wire so need to pick up some more. I have two rolls of flux cored wire and plenty of 6011 and 7018 rods but need wire regardless.

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You still have that scale I sold you? Hope it is still serving you well…

Nice posts on the extension…love the attention to detail…

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Man you do NICE work !!!!
When you figure out 'THE' position for the tractor, take a picture and print a copy, store in the truck.
Do that for all the 'combinations' you have to haul. That way, it's EASY to SEE the proper place for the load.

 

[Flintknapper]

Any of the Marker Lights or reflective tape need to be moved to the rear?

Looks like the original configuration had them on a rear 'bumper', but don't know if they required for regulations in your State or DOT?

The extension was a great idea. Nicely done.

 

[mcmxi]

You still have that scale I sold you? Hope it is still serving you well…

Nice posts on the extension…love the attention to detail…

Yes, I still have it thanks to you. I haven't used it for a while but it's good to keep around. I was in a rush yesterday to get on the road so didn't take the time to get the tongue weight sorted. I wish I had easy access to a scale so that I could get accurate weights of various pieces of equipment. If you don't know the weight, you can't figure out what the tongue weight should be.

 

[mcmxi]

Any of the Marker Lights or reflective tape need to be moved to the rear?

Looks like the original configuration had them on a rear 'bumper', but don't know if they required for regulations in your State or DOT?

The extension was a great idea. Nicely done.

Thanks very much. $600 or so rather than a new trailer seemed like the best way to go.

You make great points. I do plan on adding red and white, DOT approved tape to the end of the deck, but I might have to grind off the "diamonds" first. I'm not planning on moving the lights rearwards.

 

[mcmxi]

Man you do NICE work !!!!
When you figure out 'THE' position for the tractor, take a picture and print a copy, store in the truck.
Do that for all the 'combinations' you have to haul. That way, it's EASY to SEE the proper place for the load.

Thanks.

I took a picture of the MX on the trailer this morning before unloading it. I do need to make some notes on where equipment has proven to ride well. I probably should have backed the tractor on the trailer to give me more options in placing the load.

The big test, and reason why I extended the trailer, is coming up later this week.

 

[mcmxi]

I stopped by the local welding store this morning with the intent of buying some MIG wire. I ended up walking out with MIG wire, hard and soft grinding discs, and another Metabo 4-1/2" angle grinder that's made in Germany. I've had a DeWalt angle grinder for decades but it's finally on its last legs so time to upgrade. I like having two grinders, one with a hard disc and one with a sanding disc.

My friend works there and gave me a discount on the grinder, but it was still a $300+ hit.
There's so much in that store that I want but I have to put my blinders on. My friend is no help. He could lock the door when he sees me pulling up in the parking lot.

 

[Henro]

looks great.

Curious…What make truck is that in the background of your last photo?

 

[mcmxi]

looks great.

Curious…What make truck is that in the background of your last photo?

Thanks.

It's a Stewart & Stevenson M-1078 made in 1998. It has a 6.2L fully mechanical Caterpillar diesel engine, a 7-speed Allison transmission, it's AWD and weighs around 17,000lb unloaded. It's rated for 2.5 tons in the bed. When I picked it up at the docks in Seattle it only had 4,500 miles on it. Now it's a little over 5,000 miles.

Last year I designed and made a 3" receiver for it so that I can pull trailers around with it.

 

[Henro]

Nice!

Son-in-law's brother named his first daughter Taome… that would work for your truck too!

The Apple Of My Eye...

The color is a good compliment for your orange tractor...

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Thanks.

It's a Stewart & Stevenson M-1078 made in 1998. It has a 6.2L fully mechanical Caterpillar diesel engine, a 7-speed Allison transmission, it's AWD and weighs around 17,000lb unloaded. It's rated for 2.5 tons in the bed. When I picked it up at the docks in Seattle it only had 4,500 miles on it. Now it's a little over 5,000 miles.

Last year I designed and made a 3" receiver for it so that I can pull trailers around with it.

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That is Kick Ass man!

I remember the post for that hitch too.

Nice machine!!!!

How many gallons to the mile does that get?

 

[mcmxi]

That is Kick Ass man!

I remember the post for that hitch too.

Nice machine!!!!

How many gallons to the mile does that get?

Somewhere in the 8 to 12 mpg range when the fuel filters aren't clogged. When they're turned into overlanders with heavy boxes on the back and lots of gear, the fuel consumption is more like 6 mpg. It has a 60 gallon fuel tank so a range between 480 and 720 miles in my current configuration.

 

[The Evil Twin]

If you haven't already found out (by accident), watch the tail swing on that trailer when turning tight. Nice work and welds!