Dump Truck

[Makers_Mark]

I was going to build my own dump trailer with hydraulic lift. But by the time I priced everything out and upgrading my tractor with rear hydraulics, I found myself back at the drawing board. Then I ran into this: www.northerntool.com
- do a search for hoist kit.
It took me about 8 hours. It would have taken 4-5 if the instructions were understandable. It works great. I wish I had a heavier duty truck to have done it too. But I was hauling 6 truck-loads of manure per hour. I only have 10 more hours to go /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Makers_Mark]

image2

 

[Makers_Mark]

image3

 

[Makers_Mark]

image4

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Looks good, I bought the same hoist kit for my 1 ton Chevy. I bought my kit from Pierce Sales in Texas as they sell it for less than Northern Tool (they actually sell their hoist kit to Northern Tool who then marks up the price)

The first kit they sent me was for the wrong year truck and I was tearing my hair out trying to make it fit, I called them and they sent the correct kit. I agree the instructions must have been written by a 5 year old and were hard to follow but I got mine hooked up and love it.....I love the look on folks faces when I raise the bed to fuel up or dump something and only have to hit the switch to accomplish it.

Did you have any trouble putting your rear bumper back on?

 

[Whiskey]

Makers-Mark:

Now that is sharp....very sharp. I haul horse manure too and have to borrow a dump trailer to do it, what a pain, now this would cover the way to transport and dump when I get it to where it's going /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Whiskey

 

[Makers_Mark]

Yes. You're right. It's Pierce sales. I discovered that afterwards and got my 110% price match refund. It's very cool. If it wasn't a crap truck amybe I'd chrome out the truck frame /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif.
I haven't put the bumper back on. My existing bumper is rusted out and bent, so I didn't want to waste time welding it back on. I'm thinking of fabricating something cool. What did you do?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I'm glad you got some $$ back from Northern Tool.

Here is Pierce Sales website Pierces Sales

I havent put my bumper back on, as they say it should be welded to the dump hinges but if I do that it will contact my Drawtite hitch when I dump...so I think I will just fabricate something out of box metal that will allow me to fasten the bumper to my hitch and be able to slide it on and off and fasten with a hitch pin....after all the bumper is just for looks now anyhow /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jrlichina]

When I did this to my old truck I had to cut out the center part of the bumper to clear the hitch. Now to connect the bumper to the hinge you can do one of two things depending on the location of the bumber brackets. What I did was drill and tap 2 holes into each hinge bracket then easily bolted on the bumper. If that doesn't work you may need to weld a small extension to the hinge and use that to bolt the bumper on. This way you can remove the bumper much easier if you have to, I didn't like the idea of welding it on. Suggestion, you may want to relocate the pump into the back of the cab. I live in Wisconsin and the road salt and snow were not kind to the pump connections, just something to keep in mind. Also, you may want to make a replacement tailgate that allows it swing open from the bottom, that's what I did. When you have a full load of dirt or stone it puts too much pressure on the gate so you can't pull the latch to open it. You end up having to dig some out away from the gate, kind of a pain. Oh one more thing, if your hydraulic cylinder starts to leak, it is not the rebuildable type. Pierce sells replacement ones for like $125.00 bucks, ouch! BUt Surplus Center has them for like $60.00 bucks!!!

 

[Makers_Mark]

I really put it to work this weekend. Pierce claims in will lift 4000 lbs? I filled the truck - must have meen wet soil. It wouldn't lift. I had to take some dirt out. I thought the cylinder was going to brake through the bed. My truck is only 1/2 ton. I was thinking of putting in some stronger rear springs. Is this possible?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Great project! Thanks for posting it. I just started building a landscape rake and now I have to start tearing my truck apart /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
Do you happen to know the part number for the two hole tines? I was going to order them but the website doesn't list the part number. I've ordered a catalog but I'd like to get the tines coming so I can finish this thing...

Thanks

 

[CTyler]

LOL!!.....The wieght adds up quick!

I had a load of 3/8 gravel dumped in the back of my 1/2 ton Silverado. I paid for 1 ton and they filled the box. The truck weighed 8350 on the scale...LOL!

 

[jrlichina]

Ahh now you are seeing the weak points of this setup. The box is not meant to have a force applied to the center of the bed which makes it push in quite a bit. What I did was make a subframe for the bottom of the box to help stiffen it up. Now for the 4,000 lb. rating. If you have a dual battery setup it will work much better at least it did for me. This setup works muck better on a short box, less leverage on the sicssor. They do offer a heavier duty one that has a larger bore cylinder. Now for the spring question. You would be better off getting a pair of 5,000 lb. Ride-Rite air bags. They will give you better control of the load and when not using the box loaded you can air them down for a better ride. Now something you probably don't want to hear at this point(since you already bought it and installed it) /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif A slide in dump box insert is really the way to go. It slips in and bolts down using 4 of the existing bed bolts, lifts a true 6,000 lbs., has a dual action tail gate. They cost around $2,000.00 but you can easily swap it from truck to truck when you get a new one. I have an E-Z dumper and love it. E-Z Dumper or Maxi-Dump

 

[Anonymous Poster]

My dump bed hoist also has trouble lifting my bed when its filled full of dirt or rock and I have a 1 ton truck. What exactly did you do to stiffen up your sbox so the scissor lift could hoist it up? Do you have any pictures of your setup?

I have a welder and chop saw so I can easily fab up something in order to gain more lifting power /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

On a side note I put my pump inside my truck cab as I have an extended cab, it fits under the rear seat very nicely and stays dry/rust free there.

 

[jrlichina]

Sorry no pics, I sold that truck a few years back. What I did was make a frame built around the perimeter of the box with 2" 1/4" angle iron. Then where the hoist attached to the box I used more angle iron to reinforce that area. This won't really provide any more lifting power, but will help keep your box from falling apart prematurely. Like I said earlier you may want to try a dual battery setup. Those pumps draw a lot of current so the more battery power behind it the better it worked for me.

 

[Makers_Mark]

Ok, air bags, new battery and support frame. Maybe I should trade up to a landscape dump truck. The hoist works great though. I have gotten so much done with it. Unfortunately I should have done this 5 years ago. Between the tractor and the dump, this will be a very productive year.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

If you decide to go with airbags I found the best price at Century Performance in Arizona. Made a huge difference in my motorhome...
I put a one ton rear axle in my 1/2 ton, but kept the softer springs for ride quality. I'm going to need to put air bags in it if I go with the dumpbed.

Dave

 

[Makers_Mark]

I didn't wan't to spend too much. I found these which serve my purpose and are cake to install.
http://www.bsaohio.com/categories.php?id=16

Thanks for steering me in this direction.