3pt carry all gravity box?

[lloyd430]

Well folks here is my idea...... I burn coal for heat, I buy about 3/4 ton every couple of weeks, I have a homemade single axle dump trailer that i currently use, but its too low for the coal to flow in the basement window. SOOOOO I am thinking of making a box to go on the FEL or a box on the 3 pt hitch, either way it would have to be like a mini gravity wagon. That way I could pull up to the side of the house, raise to the height I need and ramp it through the basement window.

Open for ideas or suggestions as to if this is feasible. I have a NH TC40 with a 16a loader. I wouldn't get more than 3/4 ton at a time even though the coal bin in the basement holds 2.5 tons, I like to keep it full. I know people put a lot on the carry all's with firewood, but I was thinking more of the quick attachment on the FEL. I buy coal 1/4 mile down the road from my house, too easy to get and gives me tractor seat time.

Any input would be great!

 

[wploetz]

I have a TC40DA w/16A loader. It only gets about 1200 pounds up on a 4' pallet so keep your box as wide as possible and as close to the tractor front end.

Or
I am assuming you have a bucket for your loader? Mine is about 1/2 yard. Why not make a chute through the window and just dump the bucket into it? Then you wouldn't have to worry about your loader capacity

Well folks here is my idea...... I burn coal for heat, I buy about 3/4 ton every couple of weeks, I have a homemade single axle dump trailer that i currently use, but its too low for the coal to flow in the basement window. SOOOOO I am thinking of making a box to go on the FEL or a box on the 3 pt hitch, either way it would have to be like a mini gravity wagon. That way I could pull up to the side of the house, raise to the height I need and ramp it through the basement window.

Open for ideas or suggestions as to if this is feasible. I have a NH TC40 with a 16a loader. I wouldn't get more than 3/4 ton at a time even though the coal bin in the basement holds 2.5 tons, I like to keep it full. I know people put a lot on the carry all's with firewood, but I was thinking more of the quick attachment on the FEL. I buy coal 1/4 mile down the road from my house, too easy to get and gives me tractor seat time.

Any input would be great!

 

[lloyd430]

I thought about that too, making a 6' box/chute outside and pouring in, only thoughts would be 2 or 3 trips more seat time though:thumbsup: any ideas on the 3pt end, I should be able to get the height when I raise up.

 

[cartod]

I wish you luck, how much does 3/4 ton of coal cost?

 

[stuckmotor]

Your access to coal takes me back. Our coal yard shut down about 30 years ago. Now, I wouldn't know where to buy coal if I had to.

 

[lloyd430]

Coal up here is $240 ton loose, 3 ton min if delivered, $280 ton bagged. Cheapest most even heat I've ever had, I would not give it up! My dealer just sold out, new owners OK for now, but there are a couple of place within 20 minutes that sell coal, so I'm not too worried about it.

 

[wploetz]

My TC40DA does have much more guts on the 3PH either. I don't see how you can haul it all on one load with the tractor you have. 3 trips still beats shovelin'

I thought about that too, making a 6' box/chute outside and pouring in, only thoughts would be 2 or 3 trips more seat time though:thumbsup: any ideas on the 3pt end, I should be able to get the height when I raise up.

 

[lloyd430]

I'm thinking like a small gravity box 4'wide 4' tall and 2' deep with a pitch at the bottom to a coal chute. that would get me around 30+ square feet, they figure 40 for a ton of coal, but its actually 36 square feet. So in theory I could hold 1 ton, but i know I won't load it that full, do I put it on the FEL or on the 3pt? I scan some sketches tomorrow if I get a chance.

 

[wploetz]

If you put it on 3PH, it would help to have a hydraulic top link, you already have a tilt for FEL.
Just had another idea. If your dump trailer is too low to dump into basement window, how about making a ramp to back trailer onto? One less handliong of the coal?

 

[Leejohn]

Show a picture of your trailer. That might help, the 3pt with a dump well be low when dumped.

 

[lloyd430]

OK this is what I'm thinking, puts a whole new meaning to clip art! If I did the 3pt I would get 36" of travel height, the FEL would get me more. Its the scan.pdf file. I guess thats the problem with an old house and a 24" think stone foundation.

I can't put ramps in, I've tried, I have to all but jack knife the trailer to the basement window, also attached is the pics of my dump trailer, manual pump or air, it does work great just not for what I want.

I really thought about putting the hopper on the outside of the house as well- but the Mrs. doesn't like that one.....

View attachment scan.pdf

 

[Xfaxman]

I'm thinking like a small gravity box 4'wide 4' tall and 2' deep with a pitch at the bottom to a coal chute. that would get me around 30+ square feet, they figure 40 for a ton of coal, but its actually 36 square feet. So in theory I could hold 1 ton, but i know I won't load it that full, do I put it on the FEL or on the 3pt? I scan some sketches tomorrow if I get a chance.

Why not do both front and rear?

There have been threads on adding wood to the FEL bucket to carry more firewood, I think you could do it with a chute built in for coal.

I saw your scanned drawing, looks like it would work.

Front and back would save fuel and time! :thumbsup:

 

[JoeL4330]

View attachment 349277

I can't put ramps in, I've tried, I have to all but jack knife the trailer to the basement window, also attached is the pics of my dump trailer, manual pump or air, it does work great just not for what I want.

I really thought about putting the hopper on the outside of the house as well- but the Mrs. doesn't like that one.....

View attachment 349276

You might find it easier to maneuver the trailer if it was attached, say, to your FEL (clamp on trailer ball, or welded-on receiver, etc.) ...
Reminiscing about coal, I remember the coal truck that delivered to our house had a scissors lift that raised the whole bed ...and then tilted it.

 

[lloyd430]

I wish i had one of those trucks, often thought about making the trailer raise, but that would be a little more $$$ than I cold justify .I literately have about 25' from the side of the house to steep uphill bank, and the neighbors don't want me to move the bank:laughing:! So its tight weather I go front or back with the trailer.

 

[SSdoxie]

That much weight going on the tractor I think needs to be 2 smaller boxes on each end to keep weight distributed. All on the FEL, you will need some counterweighting on the rear to limit stress on front axle bearings. All on the back, front end might get light and loose steering control.
Have you thought about building a similar gravity box on trailer frame with a side discharge with a fold down chute?

 

[lloyd430]

That much weight going on the tractor I think needs to be 2 smaller boxes on each end to keep weight distributed. All on the FEL, you will need some counterweighting on the rear to limit stress on front axle bearings. All on the back, front end might get light and loose steering control.
Have you thought about building a similar gravity box on trailer frame with a side discharge with a fold down chute?

The backhoe weighs a little over 1000#, I think I should be good for 3/4 ton on the same end?

 

[BukitCase]

How about a shorter version of this

Conveyor, portable, for seed/feed,..... Mayrath mfg.

You could make a collector box on the outer end that's low enough to dump into, and by changing the length of the struts the other end could match your house dump point.

If you do the collector box right, you could approach it from whatever angle you wanted to.

When you're not using it, either hide it in the barn or have the wife knit "cosies" for it, her choice of colors Steve

 

[ovrszd]

I don't see anything wrong with your clipart rear tote box. Your tractor would surely handle that. If it's light in the front you could throw some ballast in the front bucket. Go for the tote box. Post photos when ya get it done. I think it's cool and will certainly be one of a kind!!!

 

[lloyd430]

Yep after reading everyone's opinions, I think I'm going to to the gravity box on the back..........now I just need time, I've been working overtime in Santa's OTHER workshop building gifts for the nieces and nephews. Maybe Feb break I'll give it a whirl, that will give me a little more time to gather some stuff. Thanks for your input, I do appreciate it. I will post pics in progress and done as well.

 

[jrdepew]

I am in the Binghamton, NY area and heat with coal as well. After going one season on oil, I was done with it. I swear you can watch the level indicator drop if the oil boiler is running. Anyway, I can start burning in October and usually don't shut down till mid-late may, using less than 5 tons. I can get it for about 255/ton bagged here. I have a walkout basement and stack about 3-4 tons against one of the walls, then keep the rest outside.

I am sure you have heard of nepacrossroads.com for coal burning? Lots of great bin ideas there, as well as bin loading ideas.

What do you burn your coal in? I have a EFM 350 boiler that I bought and restored. It was made sometime in the 50's, and still works great today.

Thanks,
Joe