Dump Trailer Cylinder Size

KentP · Feb 25, 2006

I just received my dump trailer from Country Manufacturing and now I need to purchase/install the hydraulic cylinder.

I know almost nothing about hydraulics so I search the forums but found nothing that will help me set the hydraulics up. (I apologize in advance if I missed info that has already been posted.)

The trailer accepts a 24" cylinder up to 4 inches. It is designed for a max load of 4000#.

Question 1: Is a 4x24" the best size to buy or would a smaller 24" x ?" be okay (and cheaper)?

Question 2: Should I plumb both sides of the cylinder for hydraulic oil or will the gravity of the raised box falling push to oil back?

FYI I have a Deere 4310 with rear hydraulics.

Thanks a bunch for any help!

Kent

rswyan · Feb 25, 2006

( Question 1: Is a 4x24" the best size to buy or would a smaller 24" x ?" be okay (and cheaper)? )
A 4" x 24" is a common size, often available for ag applications at places such as Tractor Supply (TSC), Homier, Surplus Center, etc. It will be easy to find and might even be cheaper than a 3" x 24" (I think I paid around $110 for my 4" x 24" Eaton from Surplus Center - and that included shipping.)

A 4" x 24" will generate more than enough force to raise and dump the trailer with any load you could realistically put on it.

A 3" x 24" cylinder might work ok too - at 2000 psi it should ultimately generate something on the order of 14,000 lbs of force - although you lose alot of force initially with either cylinder because neither will be a straight push - they will mounted to the trailer at a small angle. One advantage the smaller cylinder would have is a faster cycle time (at a fixed rate of flow the smaller cylinder is moving less fluid to extend and retract.)

( Question 2: Should I plumb both sides of the cylinder for hydraulic oil or will the gravity of the raised box falling push to oil back? )
I believe you could use a single-acting cylinder - regardless of whether or not you control valve is double acting or not .... seems like this was covered in another thread here recently.

rswyan · Feb 25, 2006

Another advantage of a single-acting cylinder is that it is impossible to retract it too far:

I have a 4" x 24" double acting cylinder on my Country Dump Trailer - to mount it it actually has to be extended slightly. This means that when I lower the bed after dumping I have to watch it - otherwise I put the cylinder mounting ears on the trailer under compression if I retract it too far.

I have actually broken off the forward mounting ear already, although I think it was more from side stress on the ear (from dumping without being totally level, side to side) and from the box tube the ear is welded to having too thin a wall thickness.

MadReferee · Feb 25, 2006

I used a 3" x 24" Chief from Surplus Center, part # 9-4302-24, cost was $119.95.

The 3" bore with the 1-1/4" rod is more than adequate for the CM dump wagons.

rswyan · Feb 26, 2006

Mad,

Good to know ..... I need to pick up another cylinder to replace the one on the dump cart (..... so I can use the 4" x 24" on the logsplitter which is what I originally bought it for.)

Just looking on Surplus Center's website I see they have some new 3" x 24" for a pretty cheap price:

3" x 24" cylinder