A method of supporting a trailer using a portable trailer stabilizer, the method comprising: (i) contacting a trailer engagement element of a portable trailer stabilizer with a forward end portion of a parked trailer using a tractor coupled to the portable trailer stabilizer; (ii) compressing a hydraulic cylinder containing pressurized hydraulic fluid and directing the pressurized hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic accumulator via an open isolation valve by pressing the trailer engagement element against the forward end portion of the parked trailer to compress the hydraulic cylinder to move the trailer engagement element from the fully extended configuration to a partially extended configuration by positioning the portable trailer stabilizer at least partially beneath and the forward end portion of the parked trailer using the tractor, the hydraulic cylinder operatively coupled to extend the trailer engagement element relative to a support surface engagement element, the isolation valve fluidically interposing the hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator; (iii) extending the hydraulic cylinder while maintaining contact between the trailer engagement element and the forward end portion of the parked trailer by lowering the support surface engagement element to engage a support surface beneath the trailer; and (iv) shutting the isolation valve and securing the trailer engagement element against the forward end portion of the trailer by disengaging the tractor from the portable trailer stabilizer, shutting the isolation valve preventing compression of the hydraulic cylinder, where disengaging the tractor from the portable trailer stabilizer actuates a valve operator mechanism operatively coupled to the isolation valve, the valve operator mechanism being operative to open the isolation valve when the portable trailer stabilizer is coupled to the tractor and to shut the isolation valve when the portable trailer stabilizer is uncoupled from the tractor, and where the hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic accumulator, and the isolation valve are operatively connected in a closed hydraulic system.
PORTABLE TRAILER STABILIZERS
2022-11-17
Patent
Electronic Resource
English