Dump trailer conversion

MarcusCarr · Apr 5, 2006

I need a little help choosing a cylinder that will work on this trailer. I have attached a drawing of the trailer. 1 square equals 1 foot.

If anyone can recommend a cylinder and attach points, it would be very helpful. I was told that full dump should be about 45 degrees.

The trailer was used by the previous owner to haul a couple pallets of pellets at a time, which would weight about 4000 lbs. He mentioned that the load never compressed the spings far enough to the overload springs to come into play.

I would like to be able to haul and dump a couple yards of gravel, dirt, compost or manure.

I will get photos tonight.

Thanks,
Marcus

JimR · Apr 5, 2006

I had a UNI Hoist setup under my old Ford pickup bed. It was the scissor style and it worked great. It was located about a 1/3 of the way back from the front of the bed. I would have to say it was close to a 45 degree angle when fuly extended. The load capacity was I believe 2 ton. Check into that setup if you can still find them.
If you use a piston or two pistons. I would hook one end up at the frame inline with the front of the bed. The other end should be somewhere around the 1/2 way back on the bed. This should give you more than enough piston to allow the dump to go high enough. Another way to find the piston length is to lift up the bed to where you want it to be at full dump position. Then measure out the size of piston (s) that you will need to do the job.

AlanB · Apr 5, 2006

I would buy one of the scissor assemblies they have on surpluscenter.com and use it. They come with the pivot points and all.

JimR · Apr 5, 2006

That is similar to the one I had on my pickup. Much stronger than
mine was. Here's the link to it.
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2006040517574837&item=3-1003&catname=hydraulic

Iowachild · Apr 5, 2006

WOW! I am not looking for hydralics, but I sure like this site! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Surplus Center

pat32rf · Apr 7, 2006

Marcus- I would try to move the pivot point as far forward on the dump body as possible, so the load is partially behind the pivot. A yard of gravel weighs about 4000lbs, more when wet so you will have a lot of weight. I always wondered about putting a 5ton hoist on a 3/4 or 1/2 ton pickup, but some of these scissor units are weak when starting the lift so you might need a 5ton if you go that route, even if only dumping 2or3ton. What are you hauling this with? and where? Watch for hills, both up and down. (My 4300JD will haul a bigger load up a hill than I want chasing me on the way down).
I would put one or two cylinders on the front, but they have to be long units. The area of your cylinder bore in square inches times the hydraulic pressure will give you the lift capacity. Most of your load is behind your cylinders so you can add about 1/3 more to your result. As your lift increases the load gets less. Design first, weld after.....