Tractor dual wheels for launching on pebble beach

[dfox]

I've got a little 700kg 4WD hydrostatic Kubota that I'm hoping to use to launch and retrieve my 12ft tinny off a pebble beach

Without the boat attached, the tractor can get up and down the beach fairly well, but it wouldn't take much towing drag for the thing to just sink into the pebbles. The tractor would get stuck if I tried to tow the tinny up the beach as is

I'm planning on attaching dual rear wheels for the added floatation

So I'm wondering if anyone has experience with how much of a difference dual wheels on the back makes. In my mind it will nearly double the floatation and towing capacity as there will also be a solid spacer between the rear wheels

Can anyone attest to the improvements made by dual wheels for beach launching? Any general advice?

Thanks in advance

 

[William_H]

I presume by using the word "floatation" that you are referring to the ability to stay on top of the pebbles rather than sink in. ie not floating in water. I have no idea if the dual wheels will be a good idea. Obviously they will help. Big farm tractors use dual wheels front and back for huge draw bar pull. I would suggest that you put a front wheel on the trailer and try pulling on a long rope when recovering such that the tractor is in a better place for traction. good luck ol'will

 

[Seajet]

dfox,

welcome to the forums,

our club uses a tractor and hydraulic hoist for launch and recovery of the cruisers; the tractor is always shackled onto a very secure hard point and chain at the top of the slipway, that's a smooth concrete slip so a lot easier than pebbles, but involves big heavy boats up to 35'.

I'd think securing to a hard point if possible would be a good idea in your case, ideally to a winch on the front.

 

[sarabande]

It's not so much 'flotation' as the direction of the pull that the tyre exerts.

On a large radius tyre the treads' effort is directed almost horizontally; a small radius tyre will 'scoop' the pebbles upwards and dig itself in. If you put larger tyres on, the gear ratios may be to high to crawl up the beach.

WillH has the right ideas. A wheel or a big skid plate under the nose of the trailer, and a long rope to the tractor driving along more solid ground at the top of the beach. Perhaps via a big pulley embedded in the ground ?