[DIY] half Ton Trailer for lawn tractor - a simple build

 Facing a multi-year landscaping project that required moving tons of dirt and rocks up and down a large berm, using a wheelbarrow was clearly going to be a lengthy and back-breaking business... Instead, letting the lawn tractor handle the carrying seemed more likely to save my back and sanity.

 This super simple and robust trailer took only 1 day to assemble. It can carry about half a metric ton of weight (1000lbs). For a while I did ;oad with almost twice that weight, as in the picture above. However, after a dozen trips, both tires split open. Ok, time to back down to half a ton max... 😅

 Keys specs / material

• 40x48" bed size (with side walls, the project took about 1.5 sheets of 3/4" plywood)
• Flat free wheels (Marathon wheelbarrow 13" tire diameter, 5/8" axle diam, 3" thick) 
• Removable side walls, held in place by 8 zinc plated post holders (can be found in most hardware stores)
• Everything is screwed together, mostly with 3" and 2" screws
• The metal bar hooking to the tractor is a 1ft piece of 1"x0.25" galvanized steel (from my junk bin, but something equivalent can easily be found in most hardware stores)
•  No other special equipment / hardware required

 The frame is simply made out of 2x4s

 General dimensions:

  Exploded view:

 The Sketchup Make 2017 CAD model can be found at https://github.com/RaphTronic/Half-ton-Trailer-for-lawn-tractor

 The model incorporates a couple of improvements, not present in the photographs, based on the learnings from this build:

• Straight metal tongue hooking to the tractor. I had bent mine (pics below) but it makes the trailer's bed noticeably tilt forward
• Double 2x4s for the arm connecting to the tractor. I am still amazed by the amount of flex exhibited by the current single 2x4 under heavy loads. How has that guy not broken yet ?
• Full length side 2x4s to remove the need for a 2x6 under the front assembly
• Axle moved back to put more load weight on the tractor's rear wheels (might not be enough, another 2-4" would likely be better). Otherwise the wheels lose traction on steep or loose slopes

 Been using and abusing it for about 10 years now. The plywood bed is almost worn through, but it can easily be replaced, and the frame is still in top condition. My back is forever grateful to The Little Trailer That Could. Boop !