Deck dragging P/U ramps

[oldman2u]

Hello Y'all,

First post for this old man and hoping someone can give me a solution. LT is 1525, w/38" deck. I recently purchased a set of aluminum truck ramps w/a weight capacity of 1500#, nice 12"w. Today was the first time I had to unload it with the deck attached. When backing off truck and deck began approaching the tail gate, it hung up w/me on it and no where to go but forward again. Holding my breath, I played with it until started rolling down the ramps. These ramps have red plastic fingers on them and in the process, tore one of 'em pretty good. Don't care about that.

My question is this: Is there a device or accessory to prevent that deck from hanging up? Any solutions are sincerely appreciated. See attached pic.

[T-Mo]

That's a common problem. Solution is to try and get the truck bed lower, i.e. park where the bed would be lowered a bit. Try finding a slight hill, incline, slope, etc that will elevate the lower part of the ramps. Also, try putting a 2 x 4 under the lower part of the ramp. And be sure you secure the ramps to the truck good. Finally, it's safer to walk the tractor up and down the ramps instead of trying to ride it up and down. Less painful that way if the ramps slip.

Best solution is a small tilt trailer, or better yet a trailer with a ramp gate.

[oldman2u]

Originally Posted by T-Mo

That's a common problem. Solution is to try and get the truck bed lower, i.e. park where the bed would be lowered a bit. Try finding a slight hill, incline, slope, etc that will elevate the lower part of the ramps. Also, try putting a 2 x 4 under the lower part of the ramp. And be sure you secure the ramps to the truck good. Finally, it's safer to walk the tractor up and down the ramps instead of trying to ride it up and down. Less painful that way if the ramps slip.

Best solution is a small tilt trailer, or better yet a trailer with a ramp gate.

Thanks T-Mo! When you speak of the 2x4"s on the lower part of the ramp, are you speaking placing them on the ground thus elevating that position?

[cub149]

Would the deck clear a 2x6 or 2x8 on level ground with the deck up? If so, cut a 2x6 with a bevel on the front and mount it to the ramps where the rear tires will go up on them before the point that the deck wants to grab. You would probably only need about a 1 or 2 ft piece. That extra 1.5 inches of lift should raise the deck enough to clear. Just a thought.

[cub149]

This is more of what I was thinking. The blue would be the blocks laid flat. If it works you could secure them to the ramps so you wouldn't have to get them out each time.

[T-Mo]

Originally Posted by oldman2u

Thanks T-Mo! When you speak of the 2x4"s on the lower part of the ramp, are you speaking placing them on the ground thus elevating that position?

Yes, and to "steal" from Chip's idea, take a two small sections of 2 x 6 or 2 x 8, bevel an end on each. Then place one each to the bottom of the ramp with the beveled edge away from the truck. Secure them to the ramp so they won't move. You will be raising the lower portion of the ramp, therefore reducing the angle and also adding whatever length to the ramp which would also decrease the angle.

[Yosemite Sam]

My mower decks all get "hung up" right there at the ends of the ramps too. If I do haul a Cub in the truck I try to find a low spot or ditch to get the rear tires in (rear tires of the truck) often times the ramps end up being more of a bridge than ramps.

I've found it's just easier to use the tilt trailer.

I think the arch shaped ramps help to eliminate that problem.

[oldman2u]

Ok, understand the blocks, BUT :-) wouldn't that be raising the rear and lowering the front end to make the problem worse? Or am I missing something? And there isn't any kind of ditch around reasonable distance from my house to back the truck into...

[Rhoderman]

Originally Posted by oldman2u

Ok, understand the blocks, BUT :-) wouldn't that be raising the rear and lowering the front end to make the problem worse? Or am I missing something? And there isn't any kind of ditch around reasonable distance from my house to back the truck into...

Just raising the rear. The front tires would be up on the tailgate.

[Yosemite Sam]

Anything to get the ramps and the bed of the truck closer to the same plain will lessen the problem.