Backhoe Empty dirt from pickup with backhoe mod?

[cgraham]

I would like to devise a way of emptying an 8' (beat up) pick-up bed trailer of a clay/ gravel mix, using my backhoe as an assist. I have a fair amount to move, but can't afford a tilt trailer.

The backhoe is on a (small) Kioti LB1914, and has an 8.5' reach: however, because of the bed height, I can't use all the reach. As I pull material out, I can perhaps ramp up the tractor on the spoil, so improving the reach a bit.

I have a 2' bucket. The exposed teeth would likely be detrimental to the bed, and will prevent removing all the material.

I'm thinking about bolting a steel strap over the teeth and attaching a board or piece of plate to extend the width and reach. Board would be easier on the bed, but less strong.

Has anyone attempted something like this?

Perhaps there is an entirely different approach I haven't thought of. I have seen a open-bottom sled-like device that goes in the bed. I'm not convinced the Kioti would have sufficient traction to pull it out (light weight, industrial tires, loose surface).

I have a friend who would cut and weld a small job like the strap.

I guess if I can't get ALL the dirt out each trip, it doesn't matter much. (You can tell I'm allergic to shovels!)

Suggestions greatly appreciated.

C

[patrick_g]

I used to put several pieces of old pipe sideways in a PU bed and put 3/4 inch ply on top. The 4ft width of the ply fit between the fenders. I loaded in several thousand pounds of broken concrete. I had to hand unload any crete interfering with the fenders and then I removed the tailgate, backed up smartly and jammed on the brakes.

With a pickup bed/trailer... Can't you devise a way to lift the tongue way up in the air till the back of the bed hits the ground. Much of the load might fall out and the backhoe could reach the rest easier.

Chock the wheels and use a "Hi-Lift" utility jack (way bigger than an old fashioned bumper jack but works the same) to lift the front of the trailer to, in effect, make it a dump trailer. Don't stand under the raised trailer and do move the tow vehicle out of the way.

There is a fairly inexpensive unloder with a crank handle demonstrated in the advertisements by a small lady. It is built for unloading a pickup truck and even if it can't handle a full load of your mix, after removing part of a load it would remove the rest with no backhoe damage to the trailer and it is way simple to use. It might eliminate the backhoe from the unloading process if that doesn't upset you. Some folks decide to use a particular thing and just have to work it in even when not really needed.

Pat

[dbdartman]

I think you're trying too hard. I'd just grab the trailer tongue with the bucket & lift/dump the trailer.

[Rara Avis]

It sounds like you are looking for a nail...because you happen to have a hammer...

Try this....

Load handler pickup truck bed unloader for unloading pickups and truck boxes 2000 and 3000

[SFish]

C:

Your ideas are similar to what I have been thinking about. I am going to try just a wood attachment for the backhoe. The sled idea might work by just chaining it to something solid and driving off. These are inexpensive ideas to try before buying one of the dump bed devices, so please post how they work if you try them.

Steve

[cgraham]

Thanks for the fast and varied responses. Gives me some great ideas to think about!

Gotta use that backhoe to justify the purchase to the wife - anyone got a nail?

Seriously, solutions not using the backhoe are an advantage to me, as I then don't have to move two vehicles.

Solutions not requiring unhitching are attractive. I'm thinking of plywood on PVC pipe laid crossways, combined with a back-up and sudden stop (thanks Patrick). Of course, I now have to go get the tractor to dig out the plywood.

Has anyone used the Load handler pickup truck bed unloader? How hard is it to crank, and what does it's useful life look like?

I will be working on a pretty steep driveway, so any unhitch and dump solutions will require chocking wheels and a suitable length safety chain attached to the disconnected tow vehicle. A bucket lift as suggested by dbdartman might be good if it is chained to the tongue to prevent a runaway.

Sfish, I'm in the planning stages now, so I doubt I'll have any experiences to share anytime soon. Please post yours.

Charlie

[LBrown59]

Has anyone used the Load handler pickup truck bed unloader?
*How hard is it to crank, and what does it's useful life look like?

Charlie

I bought 1 2 years ago at wall mart for 89 bucks.
Used it to haul 35 pick up loads of dirt down off the hill. Would have been 105 trips hauling it with the tractor FEL.
Should have bought one 30 or 40 years ago.
*Easier than lifting a shovel. Not that bad and it gets easier as the load dumps.

[Rara Avis]

Has anyone used the Load handler pickup truck bed unloader? How hard is it to crank, and what does it's useful life look like?

Charlie

If you have a Linux spray in liner....then you need to order...the DoubleMat that you place under the LoadHandler...otherwise it is a real exercise to crank it...
Loadhandler LH2000M Pick Up Unloader for Mid-Size Pickup Bed Shop, Find and Buy at ComfortChannel.com.

[MarkV]

Your idea to fabricate a solid piece that covers the backhoe teeth is not off the wall at all. You can buy just such a thing to fit backhoe buckets. They are used to finish grade side hills or ditch banks. The ones I have seen were for larger TLB’s or excavators though I don’t see why it would not work on a smaller tractor.

MarkV

[nightrodjc]

I plan to make one for my backhoe out of a old garden tractor snow plow. I want to be able drag mulch or gravel off the trailer with out damage. Needs to be quick attach.