Moving Mowers and Yard Equipment at the End of the Season

As the mowing season winds down in Michigan, a lot of equipment starts moving. Mowers head to the shop for a tune-up, tractors go into storage, and seasonal gear gets swapped out for snow equipment. Whether you're a homeowner with one lawn tractor or a crew moving a whole fleet, here's how to haul it all safely.

Plan the load

Before you load anything, list what's going on the trailer and how much it weighs. Owner's manuals and manufacturer websites list machine weights.

• Push mowers: light, easy to lift or roll on
• Lawn tractors: several hundred pounds
• Zero-turn mowers: often heavier than they look, especially commercial models
• Tillers, aerators, and dethatchers: compact, but some are heavier than you'd expect

Add it up with the trailer's empty weight and check it against the trailer's GVWR. Our guide to towing capacity and payload shows how.

Our 18 ft landscape trailer is made for this kind of job, with a 7,000 lb GVWR and a rear ramp gate for rolling equipment on and off.

Loading low-clearance mowers

Zero-turns and lawn tractors often have very little clearance under the mower deck. On a steep ramp, the deck can catch at the top or bottom.

• Raise the mower deck to its highest setting before loading
• Load on level ground so the ramp angle is as gentle as possible
• Go up slowly and straight, and don't stop on the ramp
• Back zero-turns up the ramp if your manual recommends it. Many zero-turn makers suggest backing up ramps to reduce the risk of tipping. Check your operator's manual.

Our article on ramps and dovetails explains why a lower loading angle helps.

Position and balance

• Heaviest machine first, positioned slightly ahead of the trailer axles
• About 60 percent of the weight forward of the axles
• Centered side to side
• Leave space between machines so they don't bump into each other on the road

Strap them down right

Mowers are often strapped down poorly because they seem small. But a loose mower can slide, tip, or bounce off a trailer.

• Use at least four tie-downs per machine, one at each corner
• Strap to the frame or designated tie-down points, not to the seat, steering wheel, or plastic hood
• Set the parking brake and, if it has one, engage the transmission lock
• Strap push mowers too. They're light but they can tip and roll

Learn more about strap ratings in our tie-downs guide.

Fuel and fluids

• Turn off the fuel valve if the machine has one
• Tighten the fuel cap
• If you're heading to storage, follow your owner's manual on running the fuel out or adding fuel stabilizer
• Carry gas cans upright and secured, never loose in the trailer

Protect your equipment

• Remove loose items like baggers, cup holders, and tools that can blow off
• Lower or remove sun canopies on tractors before highway driving
• Cover equipment if you're driving through rain, and secure the cover tightly so it can't flap

End-of-season trailer care

After the season, take a few minutes to look over the trailer, too:

• Clean out grass clippings, dirt, and leaves. They hold moisture against the deck and frame.
• Check tires for cracks, bulges, and pressure. See our trailer tire guide.
• Test the lights before winter.
• Grease the coupler and jack.
• Check the bearings if it's been a busy year. See our wheel bearing guide.

A quick summary

• Raise mower decks and use a gentle ramp angle
• Heavy machines forward, centered
• Four tie-downs per machine, to the frame
• Fuel off, caps tight, loose items removed
• Clean the trailer when you're done

Moving equipment this fall? See our Rental Fleet or the Which Trailer Do I Need? guide. Call or message for rates.