DIY dump trailer for my tractor

[mrmikey]

Nice looking setup Mike. You might have planted a seed for my next project....Mike

 

[Leejohn]

Good job!

If I were to say anything I would say to add a safety chain at the hitch
not only to keep it behind you while towing but the weigh pulling up would
ruin your day if you or someone else was standing over the unit and it
came unhitched.

Also I would add centering guides so when the main body is all the way
down it will not want to move left and right over the frame, the rear is
fixed at the hinge but the front is not



Only pull a dump trailer off of a fixed draw bar!!!! I found out the hard way and I new better, just got in a hurry.
Good job on the trailer and it sure welll pay for itself in a short time.

 

[MJPetersen]

Thanks guys for the very kind words and suggestions. I have enjoyed using it already and believe that I will for a long time. It has worked as well as I could have hoped and without a sign of problems.

that frame looks way to light to handle those loads. I think a pintle hitch would also have been better

When I had a full load I raised the bed about a foot and then dropped it, then I reversed and started raising again. The test was to see if anything flexed or showed any movement. Nothing did--everything was solid. You can make it bounce on the suspension and on the tires, but the frame seems rock steady. I did box in the c channel in a couple of areas and I added an extra piece of flat stock to the insides of the frame in the rear of the trailer. The axle point is spread out through a box section. Time will tell but I think that it will hold

I would say to add a safety chain at the hitch not only to keep it behind you while towing but the weigh pulling up would ruin your day if you or someone else was standing over the unit and it came unhitched.

I would add centering guides so when the main body is all the way down it will not want to move left and right over the frame, the rear is fixed at the hinge but the front is not

I used a standard ball hitch because I can see making this trailer street legal and pulling it with my car too. There is the chance that it could pop off, but I have not seen a hitch come off IF it was in good condition, put on properly, and properly secured. Safety chains are already in the planning as are centering guides, which will unitize the whole structure.

Only pull a dump trailer off of a fixed draw bar!!!!

I considered pulling it off the fixed draw bar, but the convenience and versatility of the 3pt won. I do want to immobilize the 3 pt when the trailer is used. This would have several advantages for me too. I could have the trailer at a set tongue height rather than as low as it goes. As the weight distribution sits right now, there is a constant down pressure on the hitch in all positions of the bed. Unless you raise the bed without first opening the tailgate. There is a balance point beyond which the hitch will jump up. But remember this is not a large tractor and the cylinder is large so nothing happens fast. .

Thanks for looking and making suggestions.

Mike

 

[sdkubota]

Extremely nice and great job of engineering.:thumbsup:

 

[Leejohn]

Just be careful when going down a hill and only dump on flat ground or pointing uphill.

 

[chopped]

I considered pulling it off the fixed draw bar, but the convenience and versatility of the 3pt won. I do want to immobilize the 3 pt when the trailer is used. This would have several advantages for me too. I could have the trailer at a set tongue height rather than as low as it goes. As the weight distribution sits right now, there is a constant down pressure on the hitch in all positions of the bed. Unless you raise the bed without first opening the tailgate. There is a balance point beyond which the hitch will jump up. But remember this is not a large tractor and the cylinder is large so nothing happens fast. .

Just wanted to add that I use a small chain from the draw bar up to the 3 pth part to hold it from jumping upwards.

 

[Agent Blue]

I think it turned out well. I just completed a 12' 12k dump trailer from ideas I received from buuilds just like yours. It is light yet strong enough to do the job. I am impressed with home fabricated machines and their builders ideas. What is next ? I have enough for the next twenty years, many tanks of gas and rolls of wire.

 

[sdkubota]

I considered pulling it off the fixed draw bar, but the convenience and versatility of the 3pt won. I do want to immobilize the 3 pt when the trailer is used. This would have several advantages for me too. I could have the trailer at a set tongue height rather than as low as it goes. As the weight distribution sits right now, there is a constant down pressure on the hitch in all positions of the bed. Unless you raise the bed without first opening the tailgate. There is a balance point beyond which the hitch will jump up. But remember this is not a large tractor and the cylinder is large so nothing happens fast. .

Just wanted to add that I use a small chain from the draw bar up to the 3 pth part to hold it from jumping upwards.

I have, on pretty good authority, a dump truck will stand straight in the air if the tailgate isn't unlatched before dumping. Don't ask me how I know.

 

[cqaigy2]

I have, on pretty good authority, a dump truck will stand straight in the air if the tailgate isn't unlatched before dumping. Don't ask me how I know.

Oops!

 

[Leejohn]

I have, on pretty good authority, a dump truck will stand straight in the air if the tailgate isn't unlatched before dumping. Don't ask me how I know.

Thats just how I found out it well come off the 3pt ball. The trailer set right on the tail gate and I was dumping going down hill. I was lucky, the weight of the dirt was heavy enough to keep it from coming down the hill and into me,