roll pickup bed unloaders, any opinions

[LBrown59]

I need to move some dirt around and doing it a bucket at a time a half mile isn't time or cost effective. Anyone have an opinion of those roll up pickup unloaders? Could they move a yard of dirt, or atleast half a yard? At 90.00 it's probably worth a try.TIA, Mark

I had an 18 ton pile of dirt up on the hill at the back of my property.
I was filling in the road ditch in front of the property and needed that dirt to cover over the culvert.
I bought a load handler for 89 dollars for my little import Dodge D-50 pick up.
I loaded the truck with 3 buckets of the BX23 fel per trip.
Took 36 trips to haul that pile of dirt off the hill.
I drove 5 miles hauling the 18 ton of dirt.
Hauling the whole pile with the BX23 fel would have taken 108 trips with the tractor
It would have been a 15 mile drive with the tractor.
Driving a truck 5 miles sure is a lot quicker than driving a tractor 15 miles.
I got my 89 bucks and then some back out of the load handler just from moving that pile of dirt.
__________________Larry

 

[LBrown59]

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/search.php?searchid=1627259

If this link don't work see post # 11.

 

[LBrown59]

1*As the fabric pulled the load to the rear, it started rolling on the bar uneven, got caught on the LH bracket and started to tear the fabric. Got the load off anyway, fixed the fabric with duct tape, and it still works fine.
2*I do wish they had an adapter so I could use a 3/4 drive ratchet instead of the long handle.

-Eric

1* You do have to keep the truck pretty level side to side or it will do like you said.
I did the same thing you did once / didn't tear it but frayed up the edge of the fabric on one side.
2*Makes it a bit of a bear when you run into the not enough room to turn the handle 360 degrees.

 

[jdmar]

Has anyone mounted one of these on the back of a trailer?
Did you have to make a special braket or did the standard work OK?

Peter

 

[LBrown59]

Has anyone mounted one of these on the back of a trailer?
Did you have to make a special braket or did the standard work OK?

Peter

Yep:
I've seen post about that somewhere.

 

[NuBota]

Has anyone mounted one of these on the back of a trailer?
Did you have to make a special braket or did the standard work OK?

Peter

I read on the Loadhandler site that you can call them for a special order to support your trailer. I think the brackets will work up to 4 or 5 inches - more worried about the ground clearance - the handle is long - not sure you could crank 360 degrees with how low the trailer sits. Goes back to my wish for an adapter for a ratchet or breaker bar - once I learn how to use my stick welder, I'm gonna add one.....

And I think the fabric is only 15' - my trailer is 18

 

[kossetx]

Well Guys, The verdict is still out for me. The LH is nice to have but it won't move much moist sandy loam. It will only handle 1 bucket at a time which is about 1/4 to 1/3 of a yard. An estimate in weight this is only about 500-700 lbs.

I first loaded it with 3 buckets. Big mistake. Had to shovel most of it out. Even 1.5 buckets is too much. The tarp just won't slide on the bed even though it is smooth and not dented up. The load remains centered so it is not locking at the wheel wells.

I'm kinda wondering since it is soft dirt if it is forming to the ribs in the bed and locking there. I plan on puting a sheet of osb in the bed covered with some 6mil plastic tarp. This will give a truly flat, slick surface to slide on.

Even at 1 load it goes much faster than moving the dirt by tractor. If I could bump it to 1.5 buckets I would be happier. By the way, I got my loadhandler at HFT for 83.00 with a 15% off coupon.

Thanks for the info.

 

[LBrown59]

1* It will only handle 1 bucket at a time which is about 1/4 to 1/3 of a yard. An estimate in weight this is only about 500-700 lbs.
2*The tarp just won't slide on the bed even though it is smooth and not dented up.
3*Even at 1 load it goes much faster than moving the dirt by tractor.

1*I can haul 3 BX23 bucket loads in mine. I'm guessing that's about 1200 pounds.
2*Tarp slides fine in mine.
3*Top speed is a lot higher on a pick up than it is on a tractor hain't it ?
L B

 

[NuBota]

kossetx, not to be contradictory - but try making the bed slick. I ordered the LH mat as well - haven't tried without it

Sunday I rolled off two full scoops of topsoil from the nursery - 2 heaping 6' bucket scoops (can never remember translation to yards and/or weight). The first 360 degree crank takes a little effort - but once the load is on the tailgate - rolls right off

And I think I mentioned it before - got a load of damp bank run once - "lady" running a JD 724/744 type - completely full 8' bed and I stress "full" - the mound was high so I smoothed it even in the bed, about an inch below the sides - in my RAM 2500. I drove home like a granny expecting the tires to come off the rims.

I got it off with the LH. It was work, but mainly, I think, because I was not level side-to-side - and the dirt - then the LH fabric - got hung in the low rear corner - tearing the fabric a bit.

I don't generally overstate things - and I honestly had low expectations for the LH - but after that bank run - I was really surprised. I'm am thinking the mat really makes a difference. Maybe try the WD40 on the metal bed. But I don't regret the extra $$$ on the mat....

Good luck!
-Eric

 

[john_bud]

Well Guys, The verdict is still out for me. The LH is nice to have but it won't move much moist sandy loam. It will only handle 1 bucket at a time which is about 1/4 to 1/3 of a yard. An estimate in weight this is only about 500-700 lbs.

I first loaded it with 3 buckets. Big mistake. Had to shovel most of it out. Even 1.5 buckets is too much. The tarp just won't slide on the bed even though it is smooth and not dented up. The load remains centered so it is not locking at the wheel wells.

I'm kinda wondering since it is soft dirt if it is forming to the ribs in the bed and locking there. I plan on puting a sheet of osb in the bed covered with some 6mil plastic tarp. This will give a truly flat, slick surface to slide on.

Even at 1 load it goes much faster than moving the dirt by tractor. If I could bump it to 1.5 buckets I would be happier. By the way, I got my loadhandler at HFT for 83.00 with a 15% off coupon.

Thanks for the info.

Your technique is bad. I've used one to move 3000# loads of wet black swamp type dirt off of a 5x10 trailer. You need to pull the fabric out, all out except for the 3 turns on the roller. Then make 12" fold unders in the fabric. 2 or 3 of them. By doing that, you segment the load into multiple smaller piles.

If you are not envisioning my crude term, picture the roller on the right and the fabric pulled out to the left. Got that? Ok, now on your desk in front of you starting on the right and moving to the left, draw a horizontal line, then a captial "S" and continue the line to the left. The line you drew is what I am calling a "fold under". The amount folded under is about 12" Do that and you will be shocked at how much easier it is to move and how much more is moved. (I was).