HELP BIULDING HYD. DUMP TRAILER

j475usa · Mar 5, 2010

Here is the deal...I have biult some trailers and don't have a problem with that part of it...HERE'S MY QUESTION...I have priced two different styles of hydraulic tilt set ups...one is a scissor type with single cylinder that costs approx $1500 give or take...the other is a standard dual cylinder set up that is nearly half the price.....WHAT I NEED TO KNOW....what are the pro's and con's of each style and what is best to use and lifting capacities and any other info related to dump/tilt system???????????THANKS

dboacres · Mar 5, 2010

I recently bought a 8000 lb two axle dump trailer. New! In central Calif, $3000 Paid $150 more to have second axle with brakes. Could not buy material that cheap. Unless you have extra material laying around, search Craiglist, etc. In this economy there are lots of deals to be found.

Diamondpilot · Mar 5, 2010

The 14K dump trailer my uncle has just has the standard lift with 2 cylinders, no scissor. It does fine.

Chris

Skyco · Mar 5, 2010

j475usa-
The con of the dual no scissor style is usually they won't go to as steep of an angle for dumping. This can be a problem with some materials not wanting to slide out. The pro, as you found, is they cost less.

AlanB · Mar 6, 2010

The straight lift type is at a real mechanical disadvantage at the start of the lift. They are usually pushing against the hinge / pivot and not really up.

The scissors also are capable of heavier weight.

I would go with the scissor lift if I planned on hauling over 3.5 tons.

My homesteader does 3.5 tons, single cylinder, straight lift and would not do more. It works, but if I could have a heavier one I would, and it would be a scissor.

Surplus Center an advertiser here carries the scissor kit.

wroughtn_harv · Mar 7, 2010

Most of your one ton dumps have twelve volt scissor systems. The trucks wear out long before the dump systems do. Keep your eyes peeled for old dump bed one tons sitting in backyards and business storage lots. You can usually get a good deal on them. If they're pto driven you can either change over to a 12 volt pump system or you can use a small gas powered auxillary unit to power the pump.

The scissor system not only offers higher lift as mentioned by others. It also takes up less space. I've seen cylinder systems where ground clearance was minimal, not a good thing for a trailer that might be going over rough ground.