Scale weight - can it possibly be right???
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Scale weight - can it possibly be right???
I posted this in the misc towing forum, but it doesn't get very much traffic, so I thought I would ask here, If I shouldn't have done that, I apologize and a moderator can delete.
So I have a 1951 Ford 8N tractor with a bucket loader on it. I'm not sure how much it weighs, so I had it on the trailer today and decided to stop at a local truck stop with certified CAT scales and get myself weighed. I have never used the scale before, but it's not rocket science. But I'm not sure if I am reading the ticket right, and if I am, then there is no way it can be correct - at least I don't think so.
So I have a 2016 F350 XL 4x4 SRW Long Bed. The Ford specs for my truck says 7,720 lbs Curb Weight. Here is what the certified scales said:
Steer Axle === 5,000 lbs
Drive Axle === 6,340 lbs
Trailer Axle == 3,060 lbs
Gross Weight = 14,400 lbs
How can that possibly be accurate???
So I have a 1951 Ford 8N tractor with a bucket loader on it. I'm not sure how much it weighs, so I had it on the trailer today and decided to stop at a local truck stop with certified CAT scales and get myself weighed. I have never used the scale before, but it's not rocket science. But I'm not sure if I am reading the ticket right, and if I am, then there is no way it can be correct - at least I don't think so.
So I have a 2016 F350 XL 4x4 SRW Long Bed. The Ford specs for my truck says 7,720 lbs Curb Weight. Here is what the certified scales said:
Steer Axle === 5,000 lbs
Drive Axle === 6,340 lbs
Trailer Axle == 3,060 lbs
Gross Weight = 14,400 lbs
How can that possibly be accurate???
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Can you post a photo of your setup? Your steer axle looks about right, but if correct you have a LOT of weight on the tongue. What kind of trailer is it on? How is it loaded? Did you position the truck correctly on the scale plates?
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It's not hitched up at the moment, but here is the tractor and trailer. Also, I have one of those hitches with a scale built in and the hitch was reading just a hair over 500 lbs.
And here's the scale weight ticket...
And here's the scale weight ticket...
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From: Isanti, MN
Okay, looks like you weren't positioned correctly on the scale. Best guess is that your trailer tandems were split between two plates, with your front trailer axle on the same plate as your drive axle.
If that's the case this is an easy math problem. The equalizer on your trailer suspension splits the weight evenly between both axles, so you can assume the weight showing as the trailer axle is what was on your front trailer axle as well. Subtract that from your drive axle and it makes more sense.
If that's the case this is an easy math problem. The equalizer on your trailer suspension splits the weight evenly between both axles, so you can assume the weight showing as the trailer axle is what was on your front trailer axle as well. Subtract that from your drive axle and it makes more sense.
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You know, that could be. I just assumed stuff would line up and just pulled up to the spot where you push the button to tell them you are ready. I guess it isn't rocket science, but was too complicated for me! 
I am hauling it again on Saturday and I'll stop at the scales again and make sure I'm lined up right. But what you are saying makes sense. Most likely operator error on my part. Thanks for the info.
I am hauling it again on Saturday and I'll stop at the scales again and make sure I'm lined up right. But what you are saying makes sense. Most likely operator error on my part. Thanks for the info.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: very South Texas
I scaled my setup 2 weeks ago..
locate the Front axle in center of first scale plate..
check that rear axle is near middle of second place..
check both rear axles are ON the third place...
in my case.. I had to exit the truck and press the button, then after talking to operator... get right back in truck.
paper not handy now but
front 4,000
rear 5,000
trailer 8,000
total 17,000
I had 1,000 in bed of truck. (motorcycle & 10 foot ramp)
locate the Front axle in center of first scale plate..
check that rear axle is near middle of second place..
check both rear axles are ON the third place...
in my case.. I had to exit the truck and press the button, then after talking to operator... get right back in truck.
paper not handy now but
front 4,000
rear 5,000
trailer 8,000
total 17,000
I had 1,000 in bed of truck. (motorcycle & 10 foot ramp)
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From: Sioux Falls Area
You need a heavier trailer to haul that tractor; you are overloading the axles by about 500lbs each (1,000 total).
I've never seen a 5-bolt trailer axle rated for more than 3,500 lbs.
At a minimum, check your tires and make sure the rating is greater than 2,000 each. Overloading the tires is a line I wouldn't cross.
I've never seen a 5-bolt trailer axle rated for more than 3,500 lbs.
At a minimum, check your tires and make sure the rating is greater than 2,000 each. Overloading the tires is a line I wouldn't cross.
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From: Isanti, MN
Which matches up well with an 8N tractor. That thing can weigh between 2,800-4,000 lbs depending on configuration. Assume ~2,000 lbs for the trailer and some extra weight for the bucket his weights make sense.
Mountain Pass
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I have a trailer like that which weighs about 1800 lb. I can sort of believe the numbers backward, but I would have believed more trailer weight. My trailer, with a tractor on it, would be awfully close to 7000. You obviously don't have an equalizer and you're not trying to load the tongue. Key thing is those numbers are not right.
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Sioux Falls Area
I don't think so. 3,500 x 2 = 7,000 lbs, and I'm fairly confident he had 6,000 lbs on the axles.
Which matches up well with an 8N tractor. That thing can weigh between 2,800-4,000 lbs depending on configuration. Assume ~2,000 lbs for the trailer and some extra weight for the bucket his weights make sense.
Which matches up well with an 8N tractor. That thing can weigh between 2,800-4,000 lbs depending on configuration. Assume ~2,000 lbs for the trailer and some extra weight for the bucket his weights make sense.
I don't see an 8n with a loader coming in at 4,000 lbs. 6,000 plus the trailer makes more sense to me.
My gut feeling jives with the second set of numbers better than the first....
Believe Nothing
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,514
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From: W. Central FL.
The basic 8N is going to weigh about 2500 lbs. Add another 2000 for that loader and the loaded tires. That trailer will weigh close to 2000 lbs. Almost to the 7000 lb trailer GVWR but with in limits. The way you're loaded, I would say you have a lot of tongue weight.
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From: Isanti, MN
I think you're confusing people. Post 7 is Chuck, whereas the OP with the tractor is fatoldguy. Chuck's sig pic shows an RV, which is what I was assuming his numbers were. He wasn't pulling the 8N on the trailer.
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OK guys, I went back again yesterday and made sure I was on the scales correctly this time. The first time it was operator error and I had pulled too far forward. Here are my numbers from yesterday...
Steer Axle === 4,620 lbs
Drive Axle === 3,520 lbs
Trailer Axle == 5,640 lbs
Gross Weight = 13,780 lbs
The only difference besides getting lined up correctly is that I was outside the truck to push the button, so 250 less for that. And I do have the built-in scale on the hitch which reads a tad over 500 lbs hitch weight, so I don't think I am overloading the hitch at all. With the new scale numbers, I am right on the 10% distribution.
Steer Axle === 4,620 lbs
Drive Axle === 3,520 lbs
Trailer Axle == 5,640 lbs
Gross Weight = 13,780 lbs
The only difference besides getting lined up correctly is that I was outside the truck to push the button, so 250 less for that. And I do have the built-in scale on the hitch which reads a tad over 500 lbs hitch weight, so I don't think I am overloading the hitch at all. With the new scale numbers, I am right on the 10% distribution.