Here's a "drawing" with the measurements for the corn picker trailer I made last summer. The axle is cut down from an auger truck and re-welded in the middle. 2 things I'd do differently (I'm going to change mine this same way before I use it again): 1) The axle from the auger flexes too much. I plan to weld a 2"x1/2" thick "spine" to the bottom of my axle to help with this. 2) the tongue also flexes too much. A fella should either use thicker walled square tube or, as I plan to do, find a smaller square or round tube to fit in the middle to strengthen it. I didn't figure the weight distribution correctly I guess. One more thing: The axle is 90 inches so that, with the tire and axles mounted, the trailer WILL fit on a 108" trailer for long distance travel. Thanks and enjoy! Josh
Yeah, I found that out too on the one I built a few years ago. The picker is heavier than you think! I put a bridge truss-like bracing under my axle to keep it from bowing. Mine has a pipe A-frame hitch so it flexes a little but holds the weight well. And I also made mine narrow enough to fit on a 102" wide trailer and have used it several times for hauling a picker home. Everywhere I have picked up a picker the seller was wondering "how in the world do you lift that gathering unit to load it?" until I show up with my trailer, shove it under the picker, and load it on the gooseneck trailer slick as a whistle!
Mine has a pipe A-frame hitch so it flexes a little but holds the weight well.
Could you post a picture of your hitch sometime when you have a minute? I'd like to see what you did differently, may adapt mine accordingly... Also, I mean't 102", not 108" wide...
Thanks for the timely info on a picker trailer. I just bought a JD 70 with a JD 227 picker about 2 1/2 hours away and was wondering how I was going to haul it home on my 5th wheel trailer. Included some pics. She's in her everyday clothes, but it was too good to pass up.
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"If ignorance was bliss, I'd be the happiest man alive".
Jdtom, glad you told me the page number. I knew you had pictures posted. I looked all over for them last nite, even did the search, but I couldn't find them. Found your post today though. Thanks for the info. Your's was part of the inspiration behind mine. Thanks again!
-- Edited by jdsierks on Thursday 1st of September 2011 11:00:30 AM
Thanks for the encouraging words! I have enjoyed reading this forum for quite a while and have thoroughly enjoyed the comradirie shared on these pages. I can't wait to get my JD 70 and 227 home! The family I bought this from went out of their way to make sure I got it and I want to do them proud by restoring it. It's amazing how these old pickers are more than old iron. They are reminders of a simpler time, of hard work, cold hands and toes, and the best feelings about ourselves and watching a season of hard work come to fruition and knowing we were a small part of God's handiwork. Thank you for having this forum and allowing me to relive some of the best times of my life.
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"If ignorance was bliss, I'd be the happiest man alive".
