Videos: Trailer Loading and Transportation Tips for Bobcat Compact Equipment

Bobcat is a famous American brand, but today its operations are quite global. Bobcat’s North American operations are based in its classic home of North Dakota, with administrative, sales and marketing offices in West Fargo and production and engineering facilities in Gwinner, Bismarck and Wahpeton, North Dakota, and Litchfield, Minnesota. There is also Bobcat EMEA, which covers Europe, the Middle East and Africa (the EMEA). Its operations are based in Europe, with administrative, sales and marketing offices in Dobris, Czech Republic, and production and engineering facilities in Dobris and Ponchâteau, France, with a parts distribution center in Halle, Germany, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

I give you all this backgrounder because I’m a big fan of Bobcat EMEA’s YouTube page. The division does tons of great tricks and tips video content, which it provides in multiple languages. A lot of these are filmed in Dobris in the Czech Republic. Here’s a great example: Bobcat EMEA’s “Loading & Transportation” series of trailing videos. Tomáš Mrkvička, field product trainer for Bobcat EMEA, shows us how to safely load, fasten and transport your Bobcat equipment. Protect your investment and stay safe watching the trailering tips in the excellent vids posted throughout this article.

Trailing Tips for Compact Equipment

To give us some space to embed all these awesome trailer tips videos, let’s give a few tips of our own. Let’s start with weight ratings. First, there’s the trailer’s gross vehicle weight rating or GVWR. This is the max weight the trailer is rated for. The GVWR must not exceed the combined weight of the machine, attachments and trailer itself. Then there’s gross combination weight rating or GCWR. This number represents the entire weight of a vehicle with a trailer, including vehicle, equipment, driver, fuel and payload. Along with these two numbers, always confirm the length, width and height of the exact unit to ensure it fits on the trailer dimensions.

Check Your Tow Vehicle

Confirm Towing Capacity

Your truck must be able to handle the combined weight of the trailer and its load. Ensure the trailer hitch meets or exceeds the required capacity.

Consider Licensing Requirements

If the gross combined weight rating exceeds 26,001 lbs, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) may be required. Depending on the state, a Class A commercial driver’s license would allow drivers to operate any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of more than 26,000 lbs — with the GVWR of the trailer being towed weighing more than 10,000 lbs.

Trailering Tips: Load the Equipment Correctly

Prepare the Trailer and Tow Vehicle

• Park the tow vehicle and trailer on a level surface.
• Lock the vehicle’s parking brake.
• Use stabilizers or blocks if necessary.

Drive the Machine Carefully

• Align the unit with the trailer ramps.
• Drive slowly, ensuring smooth transitions onto the trailer.
• Position the machine’s center of gravity slightly ahead of the trailer axles to balance the load.

Balance the Load

• Attachments and tools should be arranged evenly over the axles. Too much weight at either end can destabilize the trailer.

Secure the Load Safely

Use the Proper Tie-Downs

• Secure the loader with four chains and binders, attaching at four separate points.
• Tie down attachments or loose items separately.

Protect the Exhaust

If the exhaust faces the tow vehicle, tape or plug the outlet to prevent debris from entering during transit.

Double-Check Everything

• Test all lights and brake connections.
• Inspect chains, straps and locks before hitting the road.

Trailering Tips: Drive and Unload with Care

Monitor the Load During the Trip

Stop occasionally to check the chains and tie-downs, especially early in the journey.

Unloading Safely

Park on level ground, lock the parking brake and unload slowly. A spotter can help ensure safe transitions off the trailer.

By following these steps and watching the videos above, you can transport your compact track loader, mini excavator or utility tractor safely and efficiently, ensuring it’s ready for action at the next jobsite. Learn more about trailering with these archive articles.

Keith Gribbins is publisher of Compact Equipment.

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