Using FEL to dump trailer?

3RRL · May 4, 2006

OK last attemp here...don't laugh too hard.
Have you tried backing up real fast and then slamming on the brakes yet? How stong is your hitch?
Another thing to try is take off your side boards and drive real fast in a tight circle?
I know... crazy but tilting it didn't work...?? Maybe? LOL...

KiotiJohn · May 5, 2006

It's pretty much as I first posted, the rear of the trailer hits way too soon to be able to get much of an angle on the dump.
It's a rather precarious and possibly dangerous way to do it with a full load on board as well.

Let me suggest that you get a good, strong tarpauline that has eyelets on the ends, fashion a system of hooks that will end up with a place that you can hook a chain from your tractor that will evenly pull all the hooks at the same time, then load the gravel on the tarpauline and pull it off when you get to the dump site.

You can either leave the trailer hooked to the tow vehicle, or you can chock the tires well and raise the front end of the trailer onto something to get more angle first, then pull off the load.

This has worked well for me in the past. I used clothes line wire threaded through the eyelets and a chain that met at the middle of that.
John

WVBill · May 5, 2006

You might want to consider a Load Handler . I got one for my pickup truck and was able to easily off-load over 1600 lbs of gravel. I'm sure you could figure out how to attach it to the back of your trailer instead of the tailgate. The sliding piece on my Load Handler is at least 12' long.

KiotiJohn · May 5, 2006

( You might want to consider a Load Handler )
Exactly. This is the same principal as what I said above. I like this load handler thing. It sure looks as though it would work just fine adapted to a trailer.

The only thing is, unless npaden is going to be getting loads and loads, he's going to pay more than having it brought in to get one of these. Although I could see a future for one myself.
John

npaden · May 5, 2006

Can you install and remove the load handler thing very easily?

It might be worth it to get it if I can take it on and off the trailer when I don't need it.

KiotiJohn · May 5, 2006

Nathan, I just looked at your home page and just about freaked when I saw your log home. It looks almost exactly like my cousin's in Louisiana. The inside walls are similar looking, but much of the inside is different. Very beautiful home.

Even the chimney is in the same place and it has the same placement of dormers . I wonder if it came from the same company, which I don't know anyway.

John

npaden · May 5, 2006

Thanks. It is from Brentwood log homes. It is the "Lakeside" model except we changed around a bunch of the downstairs interior walls and added a 2 story garage on the end. Here is a link to the floorplan - http://www.brentwoodloghomes.com/lakeside.htm

Harborfreight has a 3,000lb version of the Cargo LoadHandler for $109.99 and I have a 10% off coupon from them so that would get it to right around $100. If it really works good I could justify spending the extra $50 to get something I could use down the road. It lists the dimensions at 52"W X 15'L so it would get the bulk of the gravel unloaded. I could scoop a few buckets off the trailer to start if it was to heavy. I think I'll go ahead and try that.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91872

Thanks for the input.

KiotiJohn · May 5, 2006

( I think I'll go ahead and try that. )
I'd try to determine in the store whether it can be adapted to your trailer. There may be a little work in getting it hooked on. I'll have to go over to HF and see one.

Keep us up on how it goes, okay? Also, thanks for the plans. I'm going to call my cousin and see if he has his. He bought it from the first owner, and may not have them.
John
BTW, my cousin's has a garage on the end where yours is as well. They sure are nice homes.

npaden · May 5, 2006

I checked out the loadhandler's website and they had a link to some pictures of a guy who has it on a flatbed trailer. It's a smaller trailer but it looks like it should work. My only worry is that it looks like the crank needs to be off to the side a bit so I might not be able to center the tarp on the trailer but I did some math and I think I should be able to get it within a couple inches from center.

I have some caliche that I want to add to my road, and have been thinking about buying or building a dump trailer but didn't think I would use it enough to justify it, so this might be a good option.

More pictures here - http://www.firechat.com/loadhandler

KiotiJohn · May 5, 2006

Nathan, I'm glad you started this, as it appears we've both possibly found a way to make things easier thanks to WVBill, who has had good ideas before.

If I put one of these on my trailer, it will be easier than doing it the way I posted earlier. It's not always easy to get the tarps hooked just right to pull off the trailer, and this way, the tarp won't still be covered on the ground as in my method.

John