hi lads, i always tried to load the track machine’s from the side, gaffer played hell as the floor got chowed up and after a while the floor had to be replaced , this photo is typical of machine’s moved in them days gross weight about 24ton, 28hp 4 speed crash box O model bedford with hydraulic brakes, this would test your driving skill 
bumper
Bumper I had a highwayman and the trailers were all steel deck so D8s would slide about too much so I usually knocked the back end out as it was quicker than if they slid off, smaller stuff was not bad over the side as long as you packed the trailer at the other side.
cheers Johnnie 