Dump Trailer, rip / rap / shotrock

[AlanB]

The dump trailer is starting to pay off. The boss did a ditch project today that involved shot rock or rip / rap or rocks from a quarry about the size of a football, whatever you call it in your area.

The part I thought I would mention is something her or I came up with (she say's she thought of it, I say she thought of it right after I said it )

Anyway, we went and bought 3 horse stall mats that are about 3/4" rubber 4' X 6' and laid them on the bottom of the trailer. This absorbed and distributed some of the impact from the rock as it came down, had to reset them each dump, but all in all it went well. Probably well worth the $140 or so that it cost, and I think they will be around a long time.

Another thing that made me feel I made the right decision going with the heavier axles and smaller box,,, I suggested she haul 3 tons per load, she decided 4 tons, (go figure) and when she tried the quarry closer to the job site, the guy loaded 5 tons..... glad I did not go with the model with the 3500 lb axles because somehow I am positive the loader operator did not check axle spec on my trailer before dumping the rock in it.

Did find it funny that first quarry loaded 3.98 tons the first load and something like 4.03 ton the second time and the other quarry missed by a ton! Add to that the "good" quarry was $2 a ton cheaper, and you see why she made the longer drive the next time.

Anyway, just thought I would share that on the horse mat's and that it worked out well so far. Another couple tons to haul tomorrow she said.

I think making that thing into the swing gate is coming just around the corner, they pulled the gate completely off to get it out of the way when dumping.

 

[wushaw]

The loader driver at the gravel place I go to loads 20 ton trailers and larger regularly and when a little trailer pulls up you have to get out and tell him when to stop dumping or you will get 9 tons from one scoop.

 

[plowking]

My wife drives a triaxle and they have had the loader put some dirt on bottom to absorb the shock of rocks, depending on how the loader operator finesses the rock or if he dumps it with bucket up high, determines how much damage your trailer absorbs. The new loaders are computerized so operator know how much you get. The loaders at the salt yard are set up this way when they load trucks with road salt off the ships. plowking

 

[Ford960]

Hey Allen,
Wouldn't a couple of sheets of plywood work just as well at a fraction of the cost of the horse mats?
The loader drivers where I get my crushed rock and pea gravel have a habit of rolling forward as they are dumping into my trailer and I always have to get them to stop and back up to even the load. I've learned that they will stop dumping before I get a full load and I have to signal a little extra to make it a paying run.
The mine where I get my fill dirt uses a loader with a 2 yard bucket and the woman loads my trailer the way I want it first time, every time. Not only that but they are only 5 miles down the road and if I'm hauling multiple loads I can get my empty weight on the first trip and then go straight back to the dirt pile all the next loads. Saves me a lot of time, especially since it gets dark so early now.

Just for reference I pay $6.50/ton for fill dirt, $8.95/ton for crusher run, and $13.95/ton for 78M pea gravel.

 

[ovrszd]

As a used to be Dump Trucker, plywood works great. Usually lined the sides 4 foot high as well. Rip Rap will tear the h*** out of your trailer over time.

 

[AlanB]

We thought about plywood, but my thought was that it would slowly tear up, I think the rubber matt will actually hold up better long term (except where I tore the edge playing with my bobcat and the toothbar hooked it )

and my wife just made me write that

Looks like we are paying about $7.50 a ton for most materials. I did 4 tons of crusher run Friday for our storage lot drive.

It sure is nice to have the trailer and just go get it and dump.

I think the gate is about to become barn door style, even if it means eliminating the spread and tailgate fearture. I tried "spreading" and it takes two, and heck, I still have to get the bob or the tractor involved, so I could have just dumped a pile and called it good.

Oh, and as to rolling forward, when they loaded me (I think they were disappointed to see me and not the wife) but they rolled back and forth a bit to evenly spread the gravel over the entire area of my trailer, their bucket is longer then my trailer (I am guessing 12') and they let a bit fall of the back, and very very very few fell over the front of my trailer (and nothing hit the truck)