Re: (ET) ET into a pickup truck? Drop pins through ramps

[JBR <reinharj frontiernet net>]

My utility trailer is only 1/2 as high as a full size pickup, but I had 
one of 
my ramp boards slip also.

So, I drilled a hole through each ramp, and a matching hole into the 
trailer, 
and dropped a couple 5/16" carriage bolts in (no nuts required).

These Electraks weigh as much as 950 pounds or so, so I made heavy duty 
ramps:

I use triple thickness 2*10s for my ramps - three pieces stacked, carriage 
bolted together, then beveled on upper and lower ends.  The drop pins 
ensure 
quick width spacing to match the Electrak, and they prevent that ramp 
being 
pushed out, as previous post mentioned. And, they allow quick, easy change 
of 
spacing for other implements.  Otherwise, use OAK if you only want a 
single 
thicknesss of 2*10 or 2*12.

I have often used a Come-A-Long / lever/ratchet action cable puller to 
pull a 
dead ElecTrak up the ramps (or control it as you move it down again), AND 
to 
tie the machine down to the trailer.

You REALLY don't want 1000 pound mass on wheels moving around in your 
truck or 
trailer.

Good luck with moving your Electrak - but as the other guys suggested, be 
EXTRA careful.

John
E-20's, Commuta Cars, etc.

On Monday 28 May 2007 11:12:46 am Thompson, Geof wrote:
> Hi
> DO NOT DRIVE AN ET INTO A PICKUP TRUCK. unless you can drive it in
> straight from something like a loading dock. In which case I'd still
> push it in. The only safe ways to load a tractor  form the ground are to
> winch it in, or if you have a crane lower it in. And the same way out,
> if you driving them on or off, the risk is too great, things can go bad
> very quickly and you could end up dead or missing parts real fast.
> I am not over stating this. I've seen tractors go over, ramps buckle,
> and even seen the tractor drive over the fender and roll out of the box.
> So far all I seen is pretty nasty damage to the tractors and the trucks,
> but it was only luck that the operators are here to tell the tale.
>
>
>
> Geof Thompson