Dump Trailer

[Iplayfarmer]

I was looking around the net to compare pictures of dump trailers to decide if I want to paint the wood or stain it.

I found this...


Now I have to go back to square one and re-design and re-build the whole thing.

 

[Renze]

At the company, we paint the hardwood trailer floors with Bangkirai oil. This leaves no surface layer, so it cant be scratched off like paint, but penetrates the wood like tar. It just doesnt stink, and it doesnt sweat out of the wood when the trailer is parked in the sun. We buy it at DIY shops and it aint expensive.

 

[sandman2234]

I like the contrast of wood appearance versus the black steel. Gives it a better look, but that is my opinion.
Better watch out for that boom, as it will give you reason to start manufacturing more attachments. With a clam shell attachment, you won't even need the dump trailer, as you can just remove the contents with the boom.
I did a quick favor for a guy, fixing the retaining plate that holds down his boards where his guys dragged a bucket across it. He knows I am looking for dirt and he showed up yesterday with a rental dump trailer fully loaded with grass/topsoil from a driveway job. The trailer won't dump the load due to the battery being too weak. That trailer uses a 110v charger to keep the battery charged. Probably a good thing for a rental, but for everyone's personal trailer that uses a 12v pump, consider charging the battery from the pigtail of the towing vehicle. That guy just drove 30 minutes that the battery could have been charging, instead of shutting down to quick charge it. Keep in mind all the angles you can cover when you build a trailer.
David from jax

 

[dangier_VA]

Iplayfarmer,
Lookin Good! What do you estimate your loads will max out at? Let us know how it dumps with a full load.
David

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Iplayfarmer,
Lookin Good! What do you estimate your loads will max out at? Let us know how it dumps with a full load.
David

I'm anticipating a max load of about 1,000 pounds. The I.D. of the box is going to be 52" X 36" X 16" = 0.64 Cubic Yards. Based on the numbers I got at the the beginning of this thread for damp dirt, I'll easily overload it if I pile damp dirt real high. For the most part I'll be hauling grass, leaves, wood, and lighter materials. I even designed stake pockets at the top of the removable sides to add higher sides later if I want.

I'll just have to take it easy when loading it with damp dirt or gravel.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I got some more woodwork done. I planed another 8 planks for the sides and another 4 for the back/tailgate.

I went through my inventory of old wood stains and finishes and found a half gallon of hardwood floor covering. I figure that should be about as tough as anything out there. I think I'll use it for the wood rather than paint.

I'm planning on putting a single coat on all surfaces of the boards while they are off the trailer. They I will attach everything to the frame with counter sunk bolts and add a second coat to the surfaces on the inside of the dump box.

Since the Crate I am getting the wood from sat out in the weather for a few years, and I didn't plane all of the grey out, I think it will actually have a pretty cool look to it. I guess I'll have to wait until I see the finished product to pronounce final judgement.

 

[dangier_VA]

Iplayfarmer,
I would assume you are interested in protecting the wood vs making it look pretty? After a few loads of dirt (or otherwise), it will take on its own characteristics. Anything that will seal the surface will work.
David
ps-any racing stripes planned? ;-)

 

[Lanse]

I have a Deere Dump cart that I got in March, a few scratches, but its 18 cubic feet and I want $300 for it, was $425 new. Like I said, its in great shape. If you are interested call me at 937-570-9263

 

[patrick_g]

They I will attach everything to the frame with counter sunk bolts and add a second coat to the surfaces on the inside of the dump box.

Just a thought... If you use carriage bolts with the heads on top (inside the dump bed) and tighten them snugly but not enough to severely crush the wood you will get better service than if you countersink the heads. If you counter sink the heads and don't peg the holes or fill them with epoxy or... then they will always collect and hold moisture and promote premature rotting of the wood where the bolts are.

Pat

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Iplayfarmer,
I would assume you are interested in protecting the wood vs making it look pretty? After a few loads of dirt (or otherwise), it will take on its own characteristics. Anything that will seal the surface will work.
David
ps-any racing stripes planned? ;-)

That's pretty much it. I've been building this thing for a year now, and It would be a shame to see it all fall apart in less time than it took me to build it.

Your point about the first few loads is actually one of the driving factors in my decision to varnish rather than paint the wood. I figure that after the branches, dirt, or rocks scrape off the paint it will look the same as if I just varnished it anyway.

Just a thought... If you use carriage bolts with the heads on top (inside the dump bed) and tighten them snugly but not enough to severely crush the wood you will get better service than if you countersink the heads. If you counter sink the heads and don't peg the holes or fill them with epoxy or... then they will always collect and hold moisture and promote premature rotting of the wood where the bolts are.

Pat

I bought some flat-head socket-cap style bolts that I'm going to use. The point here was to have a totally slick deck surface. I didn't want the bolt head to interfere with the material sliding out of the bed when dumping.

I had actually thought about the effect water and debris might have on the bolts themselves. This is one of the reasons for my plan to put the second (and maybe third) coat of varnish on after the wood is attached to the deck. In my perfect world, the varnish will cover the bolts and protect them from the elements. Hopefully it will keep water out of the holes too and keep the wood from rotting.