Dump Trailer

[sandman2234]

I didn't want to reinvent the wheel, so I converted a 45' fifth wheel commercial boat trailer into a 20' flatbed. I had an old trailer that was given to me, and I probably wasn't going to ever sell it, so rather than it sit in the yard another 5 years, I took a torch to it. Cut the fifth wheel hookup off it, pulled the frame rails together and welded on a plate for an adjustable pintle hitch. Probably not most peoples choice of hitches, but I needed to be able to haul it with my tractor or my p/u. I wanted a trailer to haul my JD2555 on, but needed a dump trailer to haul some free dirt on that was too far for my scoop. So I compromised... and built a 20' flatbed, with the rear 12' of it being a dump trailer. Because I was going to haul the tractor and it was stretching the limits of the fender wells, I decided not to put sides on it, just a piece of angle iron that I could bolt a 2x6 to. That would give me some sort of a side without keeping wide mowers and such from being hauled on it.
A friend gave me a scissor lift that he had stashed, but due to axle placement, we couldn't put it where we wanted it, and it was too short to go out near the end. Another compromise, but the drawback was a 40 degree dump, or thereabouts. I used some aluminum for the deck, but didn't have quite enough for the whole trailer, so just the dump got that.
Other events caused the dirt to be needed immediately, so anything not required to move dirt was put on the back burner.
I removed the flail mower from my boom/ditch mower on the Ford 7710, built a 42" bucket and used it to load the dirt, and the JD to haul the trailer to the house.
Basically, I have a triple axle trailer for my tractor that will also haul dirt, and I have $110 in it, not including electricity for the welder. It isn't much to look at, but hauls six yards of dirt and dumps it fine.
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

My ugly trailer...not finished, but already working!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/sandman2234/tractors/myuglytrailer.jpg
Another ugly trailer picture
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/sandman2234/tractors/myuglytrailer2.jpg
The back end of the ugly trailer and it's four hinges I made.(opps, only 3 showing)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/sandman2234/tractors/rearofdumptrailer.jpg
This is the $110 part after tax that I had to buy. I could have bought a lighter duty version, but wanted the insurance of the heaviest one I could find.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/sandman2234/tractors/onlypurchasedpart.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v177/sandman2234/tractors/2inchreceiverfortractor2.jpg

Hope you enjoyed looking at my ugly trailer pictures,
David from jax

 

[dangier_VA]

Iplayfarmer,

"How does that tailgate ramp work? What do you do with it when you are dumping? Post more pics if you have them. I'd like to see you loading/unloading and what it looks like when it's dumping a load.

Since you mentioned brakes, I'm still wondering if there's a way to rig my mechanical brakes that are integral in the axles I'm using so that they can be useful on this trailer. If anyone has ideas, let me know."

The tailgate has two pins on the top and two on the bottom. Pull the two bottom pins and it will dump. Pull the two top and the tailgate will lay down for a ramp. I am kind of mixed on the tailgate-it is very heavy but usefull for smaller equipment (lawn tractors, etc). It also is a large sail when trying to tow on the highway at speeds. I have more pictures of it and will forward them later (I don't have them with me now). I didn't take any pictures of it actually dumping a load. Will try next time. I have used it more for equipment then soils. I plan to find a local farm for manure this fall. Will take operational pictures then.

The brakes I have are electric and run on a 12 volt controller. As I recall the lawn mower transaxles I had were a lever with a small disc setup and had very little travel to actuate the braking action. You may be able to set up a dual mechanical connection with each brake assembly and some kind of method to operate.
David

 

[patrick_g]

I didn't want to reinvent the wheel, Basically, I have a triple axle trailer for my tractor that will also haul dirt, and I have $110 in it, not including electricity for the welder. It isn't much to look at, but hauls six yards of dirt and dumps it fine.
David from jax

David, I nominate you for clever recycle guy of the year!

Your project is the "BEE'S KNEES."

Patrick

 

[sandman2234]

Thanks Patrick,
I will take that as a compliment, and my wife takes it as more junk sitting around getting moved out of the backyard.Being unemployed, it gave me something to finish. Since the trailer was 5th wheel, and I don't have a truck to pull it, it was going to waste. The 5" channel I used in the top frame came out of a rollerbed tractor trailer that I bought for the rollers. The channel was just thrown in to get rid of it. Some required careful choice of which piece I was going to use to keep it straight and a lot more work removing the braces welded on every 10 feet. The aluminum deck was the center section of a flatbed T/T I bought back in 1990. I used the outer sections for a 33' carhauler I built for sale.
Those outriggers on the trailer were left in case I wanted to add a removable deck for hauling wider loads, or using the front ones as points for a landing gear. (square tubing inside square tubing sliding up/down with a cable comalong to push it down). Still need to deck the front, but am considering splitting the front deck down the middle and having each side dump. Would require pulling the trailer thru the small dirtpiles, but would add more capacity. There is going to be more dirt available in the future, as my Church is planning another building, which generates dirt. Lights will also be required if I pull it behind my truck.
David from jax

 

[patrick_g]

David, That absobloominglutely was a compliment. We see a lot of neat adaptations and custom stuff here on TBN where a lot of clever dudes hang out but your project just really caught my attention. It is some seriously good reuse.

I have a HD car hauler a bit over 18 ft on deck (diamond plate) with half dovetail. I have considered removable sideboards and sloping bed liner over a sliding belly dump trap door.I thoiught of a box sitting at the back with electro-hydraulic ram to dump. I eventually gave up on my transformer toy idea as the belly dump doesn't fit my needs, a side dump was a possibility if I used swing down jacks to hold up the side where you dump but I want an end dump and my axles are just way too far from the back end. I have abandoned the project in favor of getting a purpose built dump trailer.

I really didn't want more rolling stock with more bearings to maintain, more tires, and such but looks like that is the way it will be when I can find a dumper I like at a price I am willing to pay.

Pat

 

[sandman2234]

If you do the geometry right, fixed sides can still be side dumped, as long as you leave room for the pivot pin. Plus, higher sides get the dirt out of the way of the tire path. End dumps seem easier, but controling the twist of the bed without fixed sides can be problematic. The biggest problem with mine, and anyone building one should consider, is it is built too well. When dirt gets between the frame and the bed frame, it won't close correctly. I have to sweep the frame rails off every time I dump it. Doesn't take long, but requires me to get off my tush while the bed is still in the air. I am working on a fix for that, for later implimentation.
For simplicity, my cylinder is powered by the tractors remotes. Should I ever need to dump behind my p/u, it will require a 12v pump.
David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

I went back out tonight after I got the kids in bed to admire my excellent paint job...

I really suck at painting!

I think every piece had a place that I either missed or painted too thin. The only exception was the subframe that I painted with the brush and roller the first day, and it had drips. I'm having second thoughts as to whether the spray gun was really better than the roller. Of course I did go back over the subframe with the sprayer to get the parts I missed with the roller.

I do have this to say though: The places where I got good coverage look really good. It's amazing how much better crappy welds look with a good coat of paint on them.

I'm going to have to get the paint back out again after I get the wood deck ready. I may just touch up then.

IplayFarmer,
I am sure your painting skills far excel mine, as you at least do add paint to your projects. I simply add a thicker piece of metal, so when it rusts, it will still be strong enough.
David from jax

 

[Iplayfarmer]

IplayFarmer,
I am sure your painting skills far excel mine, as you at least do add paint to your projects. I simply add a thicker piece of metal, so when it rusts, it will still be strong enough.
David from jax

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I've been that way with all of my wood projects. I very seldom paint or stain anything. I kept trying to get my wife all enthused about painting and staining so that she'd want to take care of all the stuff I made, but she never really caught the bug either.

Metal seems different to me. It just needs to be painted or protected somehow.

 

[Nasty135]

Pat,
It's a 12' premier (2005). Brakes on both axles. Came with a landscape ramp. Don't think I would have requested it though. That sucker is heavy! Empty weight is around 2300# and max weight is 10000#. New was at $5600. I paid around $3500 with very little use. Don't think I will be parting with it any time..... I can haul my L3130 with the front loader attached. If I remove the tailgate, I can have the backhoe attached. Trailers very well with my dodge 2500 diesel.
If one keeps their eyes open, a good deal can be had on ebay.
David

So your the guy that beat me out on the dump trailer....

Just kidding I've seen them on e-bay out of WV I think? Maybe one-day for me... For around the house I got an old boat trailer & cut it up rewelding it together with wood sides 4x8 sheet of plywood ...It'll carry three full scoops from my 60" FEL and I tote it with my 4wheeler ... Ok for now but wouldn't want a steady diet of it...

Iplayfarmer Good project ,I hope the weight of it all loaded doesn't become to much for the axles, but you could always upgrade them...pretty cool project ...Lots of work for sure... Good pics & description of your progress