Compact Dump Trailer

[Gittyup]

I just got a new CMI 1 ton trailer, 6 ft model, tandem wheels. I also added the manual hydraulic jack lift kit. I had read posts about the 7 footer not being able to dump steep enough due to the overhang length. That is one of the reasons I bought the 6 footer. I expected it to dump higher.... Wrong. It seems CMI chose a jack that provides only a shallow lift angle. I presume this is, in part, related to limiting travel to correspond with the limits of the 7 footer. To complicate matters more, the 6 footer doesn't have enough counter weight behind the wheels to make manual dumping ever an option. I can barely lift the empty bed by hand; and it's dangerous. So, I bought an option that's not entirely useful. CMI could do better here. The really should offer a true hydraulic setup that dumps as high as possible for a given trailer length.

To use it as intended I need it to dump fully. So, I'm considering switching to a hydraulic lift that will run off my machines. I have a couple of questions, and I'm looking for advice.

Seems easier to add a single action (SA) solution (hydraulic up, gravity down); don't have to have perfect closed length. If so:

Can I use a dual action (DA) as an SA?
Will it be safe?
How fast will it fall?

Second issue relates to tractor capacities. I have a Kioti CK25 with rear remotes and a JD 425 AWS garden tractor with 2 sets of remotes forwards of the foot pan.

Can the JD operate the cylinder? Source enough fluid? Speed? I will have to look up the specs on the JD, I suppose.

The CK25 produces 2900 psi (I think). Does this mean that I will need to use a min of a 3000 PSI cylinder?

Is a 2 inch cylinder sufficient for this trailer?


I appreciate the inputs. Off to get JD specs....

 

[Gittyup]

The JD 425 hydraulic specs: 4.5 gpm, 1000 psi. Standard on-board cylinders are 4" x 2.5", 1" travel.

 

[kennyd]

Using a DA cylinder in place of a SA cylinder is fine, it won't lower any faster than the SA cylinder-that's a function of how fast the fluid is allowed to escape to cylinder by the valve. You will have to get a vented cap for the unused port on the cylinder.

I think the problem you will have with the JD is that tank is not big enough-you will run out of fluid before the cylinder reaches full travel.

 

[Gittyup]

I am also concerned with tank capacity on the JD. It's not really in the specs, that I can find. It's all part of the hydrostatic tranny. I wonder if it will rob fluid from tranny while in dumped position, and what effect this might have on the trany if moving.

If I go true dual action, then is the cylinder, in effect, the tank? Might the JD handle this better once the lines are full of fluid?

Starting looking at the dimensions of the trailer frame structures, trying to decide on cylinder size/limitations. It looks like I will have to go with something 24" or larger connected toward the back. I've been looking at mostly welded crosstube types. The best fits for DA use are 27 - 30". I'm thinking 2.5" bore, 1.5" cylinder. I really didn't want to displace that much fluid, and I wanted to be further to the front of the trailer. But, I can't find a cylinder with enough extension that is short enough for the forward crossmember. Closed cylinder length less than 16" only yield a lift of another 9" or so. This only give me 2 more inches of lift than the crappy manual lift. Perhaps, I must look more closely at an added crossmember, at an intermediated length distance......

 

[kennyd]

If I go true dual action, then is the cylinder, in effect, the tank? Might the JD handle this better once the lines are full of fluid?

Yes, kind off...since either side of the cylinder will have fluid in it at any position, this might be a viable option for your JD-good thinking

 

[Gittyup]

Well, I've tentatively settled on a 2.5 x 18 x 1.5 DA cylinder, adding a crossmember in the middle that is exactly located where pump lies when fully closed. This gives me 34" of vertical lift. I'm going out today to set it up manually and verify that it's enough lift. Should be a significant improvement.

This cylinder will still hold nearly 1.5 gallons of fluids. So, I think I'm stuck using a DA solution.

Next will be making it so the hoses fit both machines. I think the JD 1/4" and the Kioti is 1/2". Right now, I plan to make the JD match the Kioti with a set of adapter hoses permanently routed from the control valve to the rear of the tractor, upsizing from 1/4" to 1/2" quick connects. While this will add costs, it will keep the trailer clean with short hoses, and easy hook up.

Once I get this all rigged up, if I switch between the JD (JD Hygard Hydrostatic fluid) and the Kioti (hydraulic fluid), will the oils cross comtaminate? If so, is it ok?

 

[Racer71]

I am not an expert but the general rules is mixing oils is a bad thing. At some point the wrong oil will reach an important spot and not get the job done.

 

[caddison]

Another testimonial for the Loadhandler, sure fooled me, works really well and is fast unload, lot cheaper than some of the alternatives. After I got my wagon and attached the Loadhandler, I found a KK dump trailer at an implement dealer for $1450, I would pobably bought that, although it is smaller, had I not already had my wagon.

Why couldn't a guy add a hydraulic motor to the load handler and run it via a remote??? This would enable you to be able to spread as well as unload.