Use a Mini Excavator to Move 19' in Driveway?

[PKI]

As I read the thread, I was hoping someone would suggest a winch. It's an interesting idea for a straight pull. Hope it works well for you. If you have a Harbor Freight, Tractor Supply, or similar discount store in the area, they have wheels and other inexpensive hardware that can be used for light duty applications. I use one of their swivel casters on a light boat trailer and it's easy to push on level ground. Takes two to three guys to push it up a ramp, so the winch is something we have considered. Hope this works for you. Pat

[xrvr]

Something to think about. Was watching a truck driver winch a trailer from a flat bed truck and the winch gears broke. The trailer boogied down the ramp at warp speed hitting nothing and stopping mainly because the truck driver pulled the breakaway switc just in time. Be sure the winch is powerful enough, the cable is in good condition. The gears can strip if overloaded and a runaway occurs. Slow and deliberate. Good luck.

[xrvr]

Last year after tons of rain while camping at my brotherinlaws farm in Ohio there was no way the truck could pull the Avion through the mud. We used a Bobcat with a trailer ball attached to the bucket to pull the trailer out. A winch was the next option, so it should work for you.

[jdalrymple]

Lynn,

The winch can be relatively small, you are not lifting the trailer just pulling it.

if the poles of the carport are in concrete in the ground, they are likely strong enough. Otherwise, a steel stake used to hold concrete forms driven in the ground at angle opposite the load will hold the winch.

A dolly wheel instead of the flat plate for the tongue jack and I think you are set.

Regards,

JD

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by lcurrie

Thanks again for all of the info. Here's the plan, which is already in motion:
<snip>

• Post to attach the winch to and lay across driveway in front of carport posts - hoping to borrow this from one of several friends. Again I don't want to store anything I don't have to, but if needed I'll purchase from Home Depot.

Lynn

Thinking a little further down the road.... What is the plan when you are ready to get the trailer back out of the driveway?

[cwf]

Originally Posted by A W Warn

Thinking a little further down the road.... What is the plan when you are ready to get the trailer back out of the driveway?

I think an easy shove to the slope while under winch control should work.