Could someone tell me what length ramps I need to be able to load a lawn tractor into my 4x4 SCrew from a flat driveway? I know I can find a ditch or hill to try to lower the tailgate height, but wondering what it might take to load otherwise. I did site searches but could not find an answer on what minimal length ramp might work.


I have seen these 7.5 foot arched ramps but not sure if they are long enough to prevent the mower deck from scraping:

 

I bought a ramp kit for some 2x12's and put them on two 8' long boards. I used them for driving my ATV's into the bed of both a 99 Off Road package Supercab and a FX4 Supercrew. I would not want to drive a lawnmower on them with the angle at the tailgate. I have seen some designs of the metal/aluminum ramps that are bowed so the roll over angle is less. That would be better than a straight ramp at 96", IMHO.

 

I bought a ramp kit at Lowes for about $24.00 and that was just the top mounts that fit the boads to the tailgate, I used two 2X8X8 boards and reinfored the center sections where it bows from the extra weight. I have a 42 in cut Craftsman mower that fits right in the back of my Screw and all I have to do is hold up the discharge chute while clearing the tailgate, other then that it fits in fine with the tailgate down.

 

How did you reinforce?

Thanks to all so far for your replies..

 

I just added about 5 feet of a 2X6 in the middle sections on the bottom side using 3 inch screws. Once you get it all together place it on the truck and stand in the middle you will see where it need the most help

 

Here is a picture showing wher I added the extra support,

 

That is what I have but, I used 2x12 instead of 2x8 because I occasionally have a beer while I'm cutting the lawn.

 

Thanks for the pics, his was helpful because I have been wondering what to do.

 

I bought a pair of the telescoping yellow plastic ramps called: RampChamps for my Supercrew. They cost around $175.00 for a pair and the nice thing about them is that they collapse to 61 inches and fit inside the SuperCrew bed with the tailgate up.

I believe they extend to 76 inches and have a slight arh in them to prevent mower decks from dragging as you load. I use them to haul two dirtbike motorcylces and somtimes my 48 inch John Deere Tractor without problems

 

Yeah I agree the plastic ramps or the fold ups are better but $25.00 vs $175 when I only move the tractor about 2 times a year usually to store it in the barn over the winter months

 

That is a similar style to what I have. The only possible problem is the angle at the top of the ramp. 4WD F-150's have a high bed height. The manufactured ramps generally have upward bows so that the deck doesn't get caught. However, if an 8' long boards doesn't work then a 10' or 12' probably will.

 

I used boards 18 feet long for absolutely no problem but, wouldn't you know it, the City went and put up two traffic lights.

 

It's also important to employ corrective employee procedures that mitigate automation resistance.

Such as using PDAs, smart phones, and offer chocolate candies that entice the staff to want to use the automation.

The staff just needs to be sure they don't get their feet chopped off, or entangled in a PTO.

OHSA training is then required if staff suddenly start getting pinned under lawn mowers while loading them in a truck.

Could end up in a very prickly predicament for your lawn care business.