Re: [A/S] Help Needed Parking my Trailer

[Bob Basques <bob.basques@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have a rider set up with a 2" ball hitch, the hitch is only about 8" 
behind the center of the rear axle, I wouldn't put much more than 750lbs 
(on mine) on the hitch, as it would raise the front as
described. I routinely move a small utility trailer loaded to the gills 
with stuff, about 4000lbs of bricks, sod, concrete block, sand and such, 
with no problems. Just stay away from hills and onto
the flat areas. There will be no where near the weight to stop something 
that might roll down a hill. The wheel would just lock-up and slide if 
the brakes were applied.

See my machine here:

     http://64.33.167.222/tiller/tiller1.JPG

Notice my Lawn mower is a bit on the larger side, but with the hitch so 
close in to the rear axle, it supports a significant amount of weight 
before making the front end light. Also if there are any
bumps or hills in the path, I would look for another way of moving 
things, as there is not enough weight in the mower to overcome the 
hill/bump without a good run at it, and I wouldn't advise that
anyway.

But for moving things around in a flat area, I don't see anything wrong 
with using a mower to do it as long as control can be maintained.  It 
would be easy enough to test the stability of the towing
tractor by just hitching up, and trying to raise the front end by 
lifting. counterweights can also be used in the front to counteract the 
weight on the hitch.

The front bumper hitch that folks have mentioned would also be a good 
route to take, more weight will be much safer for maneuvering a trailer, 
if you still don't think that you will have enough room
to navigate with a larger vehicle, you could install the bumper hitch on 
a corner, the inside of the turn, and this would afford a greater degree 
of turning in relation to the trailer. Just some
thoughts. Without know how hard of an angle you need to turn, its hard 
to make the perfect recommendation.

Another safety measure would be to have a leveling jack, with a wheel 
set close to the ground while moving it, so that the mower couldn't kick 
you off if the trailer decided to throw it's weight
around.

bobb