Dump Trailer

[gemini5362]

You probably wont need to worry about the pipe fittings unless you decide to run 4000 psi. But to be on the safe side. I would see about getting the hydraulic adapters. We have a farm suppy called atwoods and I bought a 1/2 x 1/2 inch pipe to hydraulic fitting adapter for my dump trailer and it was 1.99 so I would imagine that the one you need probably wont be much.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I've posted another picture of my progress.

I know that it doesn't look like I've done much since the last picture, but it took me all day to get this far. The first picture is a picture from the back of the subframe all welded up. I still may put in some angles to strengthen things up, but the basic outline won't change.

The first picture is the subframe from the back.

For the second picture I set the bearings for the dump loose on the subframe to get me started visualizing the dump bed and how it will be situated.

The third picture is a picture from the side. The bed will extend beyond the back of the frame about 6", and the front of the bed will be just even with the front of the top "layer" of the subframe.

I'm still debating on placement of the hydraulic pump...

Option A: put the pump back under the bed where it will be protected from the weather. In this case I would rig a lever out on the tongue with a connecting rod to run the cam to operate the pump.

Option B: Mount the pump somewhere out on the tongue and run longer hose to the cylinder. The hose that came with the pump is plenty long enough. I'm just not sure what the weather will do to the pump.

 

[BTDT]

That is looking really good. On the pic with the bearing placement, the tubing looks to be a little thin walled. For a little added strength, might think about welding a piece over the end of tubing. Keep track of your time and money spent, you may be building a bunch of these to sell. From what I've seen so far, this would be a marketable project.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

That is looking really good. On the pic with the bearing placement, the tubing looks to be a little thin walled. For a little added strength, might think about welding a piece over the end of tubing. Keep track of your time and money spent, you may be building a bunch of these to sell. From what I've seen so far, this would be a marketable project.

The tubing is pretty thin walled. That part of the trailer is going to bear almost all of the weight when I go to dump it. I had thought about welding something over the end for strength, but I need to access the inside of the tube to put the bearings in. I've thought about adding a layer of angle over it. I'd be open to other ideas too.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I really haven't spent much money or time on it yet. I'm in to it for about $200 in materials and about 8 hours so far. The main reason for that is because I'm using a lot of junk and scrap.

If I could find a steady supply of old lawn mower axles and used hydraulic pumps, I might be able to make a go of it. I'm sure that if I had to buy materials, though it would cost a lot more than a new one.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I'm redoing all the calculations now that I decided on a 6" longer bed. I've got one question that I really need the voices of experience on...

How steep of an angle do I need to really be able to dump stuff?

The further forward I put the ram, the more weight I'll be able to lift, but it will decrease the final angle of the dump bed. I'm going to have to find that spot in between that optimizes both.

Additionally...Any advice on having the ram angling forward vs. angling back? The original design had the ram angling from between the two axles up and forward in order to get the connection point on the bed far enough forward to have enough leverage to dump a heavy load.

 

[gemini5362]

From my experience with my dump trailer I just bought I would try to get it as straight up and down as I could get it. Some stuff does not dump easily.
I also have a question for you or others reading this post. How much weight will the gearboxes from a riding lawn mower hold ?

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I also have a question for you or others reading this post. How much weight will the gearboxes from a riding lawn mower hold ?

I'm glad you asked because I don't know. Hopefully someone will chime in here with the answer.

 

[mopacman]

If you put your pivot on the back at the bottom of the frame instead of on top and point the rams to the back it will dump more weight. You will have to run arms from the bed down to the pivots. When you do it this way the bed will rase and move back. The move back motion will create lift because of the arms on the back of the bed are hinged low. This way you can move the rams back for more hight. Any thing less than 45 deg. will only dump water or dry sand, 90deg. works ok for brush. Hope this helps.
good luck.---------Larry

 

[bbabineau]

I had a small dump trailer built and attach some pictures that might just give you some ideas although I really like what you have done so far.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I had a small dump trailer built and attach some pictures that might just give you some ideas although I really like what you have done so far.

Perfect!

That's exactly what I was looking for. I just wish I could have seen those pictures about two weeks ago.

Does that much of an angle dump pretty good? Do you ever have stuff hang up in the bed?