I recommend having a pretty substantial reinforced edge surrounding the dump box. Try as you might, occasionally it will get bumped with the excavator bucket.
Not a bad idea but if you put slots around the top of the dump box to accept 2x4's they will take a lot more abuse than metal and you can replace them very cheaply. The wood will provide a bit of a shock cushion and will help alleviate dings in the trailer and bucket.
Here is a pic of one I just installed in my rig. When down, all the pressure is put on the scissors, as the hoist lifts, it is pushing straight up initially.
....snip.....snip.....Also thanks, for dragging GugliosLS's thread out of the weeds! I read the whole thing! Couple questions for the "G" man: On your post #66, you comment about the hydro circuits in parallel. My limited hydro experiance is that hydro fluid would flow in the path of least resistance, if all plumbed together. Thus the rear tailgate rams would open to max, bottom out, before the lift rams would pressurize for lift? ....snip....snip.....If I opt for a electro/hydro pump, that would handle this rig, what and where should I look for and where? I'm not adverse to shopping e-bay, but what am I looking for? ....snip....snip....~Scotty
Here are links to scissors hoists for trailers or truck beds, a little pricey if you ask me, especially if you can design a bed and cylinder on your own and get it to lift without tearing up the cylinder mounts or the trailer bed. Why bother installing a 1000 + dollar hoist? I don't get it.
scissor hoist for trailers
scissor hoist for truck beds
Larry
Nice looking trailer Dirtnut!