DUMP TRAILERs Scissor vs Straight Cylinder

[LD1]

Public schools? 2012-2003 = 9 (actually a little less since it was Dec '03 vs. Sep '12 :thumbsup:

But, nonetheless, quite a good job of using the search function for ethicsg

Good catch:laughing:

Why do you recommend staying away from dump trailers with two cylinders?

I dont think you are going to get an answer from him. The last time he logged on to TBN was almost 6 years ago. According to his profile....1/14/2007:confused2:

 

[Botabill]

I have a 3.5 ton scissor lift dump trailer. It works very well and will dump the trailer even when over loaded. When I was shopping I found a big range of quality in the construction and components offered by various companies. I will say any of electric powered lifts need a well charged battery. One time I was using the trailer with a depleted battery and the trailer only managed to raise itself 1/2 way before stalling. I had to help push it up til the gravel started sliding then it fished the job.

 

[captndavie]

I built a 5 x 10' lat year with a 5000# capacity. I bought the plans on the internet for it. The plans called out for 1 4" cylinder to dump it. I modified the plan to use 2 - 2 1/2" cylinders. I wanted 2 cylinders to KEEP it from twisting. The hinge is approx 18 inches from the rear of the trailer.

The trailer works great, but I would change several things,

1. I would use a sissor lift
2. I would make it as wide as possible (I load my BX22 on it, but I have to remove the mmm every time i load it)
3. I would make it power down, I have a flow control on it to regulate the speed when it is lowered with a load, but when it is cold out (Michigan weather) it lowers toooo slow.

Ok, sissor lift vs cylinder: In my humble opinion, the sissor lit would give you more dumping capacity, plus incresed dump angle (45 deg vs 50+ deg) becuase with the cylinder type the cylinder is laying almost flat, with a HEAVY load, the dump box does not want to start dumping (it is pushing almost strait against itself). The intial "breakover" is incredible.There have been times when I have had to help the box up for the first few inches.

The sissor lifts ae designed to accomadate this, thats why they are on dump trucks.

Sorry for the long post.

Hope that helps

I had a southern sales brand dump trailer and it had the scissor lift. With a heavy load it would stall on initial lift and need help to get it started as well. It was the 6'x12' low profile trailer. Something like 12k lb rated.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I think the initial lift is the fail point on any style lift be it single, dual or scissor style.

Stability after the dump is important to me because I want to start moving before it gets back down.

The 16' flat dump on the F700 has twin three stage cylinders that gets high and requires a 25 gallon tank but is too much weight/cost for many dump trailers for typical farm use.

When hauling dirt on the place it is easy to just load tail heavy but when on the road balancing the weight can reduce the 'blue' light road side specials (remember K-Mart many years ago).

Dump trailers if one has a good TV set up is so much more practical than keeping up a 1-2 ton truck with dumping bed.