I've been thinking about a dump trailer for a few years and wanted to jot down some of my ideas and open this up for discussion. I have a john deere 1026r. The problem is that my tractor is no good for moving dirt long distances. If I had a trailer that I could pull with my backhoe still attached I'd be tickled pink but there's no way I can see to do it. Instead I propose a dump trailer that can attach to my loader bucket with a hitch that articulates a great deal. This would give me a 600 pound or so dump force using the loader to pick it up. Since it would be at the tongue I should be able to get about 3600 lb ft of torque at the axle on level ground. With that much weight it will need brakes.
I'm thinking to put the axle at the end of the trailer to improve steering stability and put a leg on the front that is spring loaded. When the front leg is on the ground it will actuate the truck axle brakes and compress the spring. When it is in the air the brakes will release because the spring extends the leg. It would have a big wide foot so if you were going down a hill you could let it drag a little by lowering the loader bucket. When you unhook it from the loader the trailer brakes would be engaged because the tongue is on the ground.
I'm not sure if I would put suspension on the axle or not. Maybe just a rubber bumper between the axle and frame then let the axle float a little. Otherwise I could put heavy leaf springs on it. One problem would be pushing it up a steep hill. If I hooked a hydraulic motor to the axle with an overrun valve I could plug into my front remotes and have it powered. Maybe I just don't use it where the hills are steep.
I also want it to be as small as possible because I work in yards all the time never in the country hardly. I will probably use a ranger or s10 axle with big wide tires for flotation. The deck will probably be 4 ft x 6 ft or 4 x 8. Any suggestions? Should I do the sides with stake pockets or permanent sides? I want to keep the trailer weight as low as possible for maximum payload. I want it to carry 3000 lbs gross when loaded. I will have my backhoe attached for counterweight but I worry about it on sidehills as the tongue will be pushing side to side on my loader. I think maybe I can put in a valve to lock the brakes on the trailer if it starts trying to steer or roll my tractor. I could also just keep it low and drop the tongue to apply the brakes but I would like a more user friendly approach. This is my only concern so far. Any ideas? Concerns?
I'm thinking to put the axle at the end of the trailer to improve steering stability and put a leg on the front that is spring loaded. When the front leg is on the ground it will actuate the truck axle brakes and compress the spring. When it is in the air the brakes will release because the spring extends the leg. It would have a big wide foot so if you were going down a hill you could let it drag a little by lowering the loader bucket. When you unhook it from the loader the trailer brakes would be engaged because the tongue is on the ground.
I'm not sure if I would put suspension on the axle or not. Maybe just a rubber bumper between the axle and frame then let the axle float a little. Otherwise I could put heavy leaf springs on it. One problem would be pushing it up a steep hill. If I hooked a hydraulic motor to the axle with an overrun valve I could plug into my front remotes and have it powered. Maybe I just don't use it where the hills are steep.
I also want it to be as small as possible because I work in yards all the time never in the country hardly. I will probably use a ranger or s10 axle with big wide tires for flotation. The deck will probably be 4 ft x 6 ft or 4 x 8. Any suggestions? Should I do the sides with stake pockets or permanent sides? I want to keep the trailer weight as low as possible for maximum payload. I want it to carry 3000 lbs gross when loaded. I will have my backhoe attached for counterweight but I worry about it on sidehills as the tongue will be pushing side to side on my loader. I think maybe I can put in a valve to lock the brakes on the trailer if it starts trying to steer or roll my tractor. I could also just keep it low and drop the tongue to apply the brakes but I would like a more user friendly approach. This is my only concern so far. Any ideas? Concerns?