Reversing a trailer
If you can’t back a trailer at all (or you’ve had some bad experiences while trying to) follow these simple rules:
In an open area, start with the tractor and trailer in a straight line. Remember that every movement of the steering wheel requires a correction.
Sit in the driving seat so that you can see the back corners of the trailer deck or sides. Don’t watch the front wheels, the front of the tractor or the drawbar while you are learning this procedure just watch the back of the trailer.
Attempt to back the trailer in a straight line, using the LOW ratio reverse gear, proceed slowly backwards, watching the trailer as it veers off line.
If it veers to the right, turn the steering wheel down to the right also know as right hand down, until the trailer stops moving off to the right. Next, centre the steering. If the trailer then moves off to the left, turn the steering wheel down to the left also called left hand down. When the trailer stops moving to the left return the steering wheel to straight or centre. Practise these manoeuvres, turning left and right, until you become competent at it.
If the trailer veers to the right, turn the steering wheel down to the right until it stops moving off to the right.
Try as far as possible to keep your movements or turning of the steering wheel to a minimum (try not to overcorrect or turn too far one way). This will be achieved by watching the back edge of the trailer very closely and moving the steering wheel accordingly to correct any movement off line just as soon as you notice it.
Note: If the trailer veers too far, stop, drive forward until the tractor and trailer are in a straight line and start again.
Turn a trailer
Make sure you can competently reverse the trailer before you start this task.
Turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction to the direction that you want the trailer to go. Remember, every movement of the steering wheel will require a correction to straighten the tractor and trailer once you are heading in the desired direction.
Note: Be careful not to jack-knife (rear tractor wheel jammed against trailer drawbar). This is extremely dangerous and has caused serious accidents.
Turning while reversing a trailer.
Always use low ratio, not high, when reversing. In high ratio you have to ride the clutch, or continually push the clutch in and out to keep control, which is an extremely bad practice and will eventually damage your clutch. Everything happens that much quicker when you reverse in high ratio and you have to make continual adjustments.
Suggestion: To improve at these tasks, practice manoeuvring between hay bales or empty drums. Start off with the drums or bales fairly wide apart and move them closer together as your skill and confidence increases.
Note: Once you start manoeuvring around objects, you must also watch the front of the tractor.
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