Shoveling out a dump trailer - really!

[coldwxguy]

I lined the bed of my 6x12 dump trailer with 1/4" thick HDP (high density poly) sheets.
It comes as 4x8 panels.
In thicker sizes this is often used as a backstop in hockey arenas.
I have seen trailers that have a fairly shallow dump angle and sometimes this would be a problem that is hard to fix.
Built my trailer to lift to 50 deg which is fairly steep and still have had damp soil hang up.
Have you ever figured out your angle when fully raised?

 

[tstex]

coldwxguy quoted: "Have you ever figured out your angle when fully raised?" LOL

 

[Hoho223]

When I was hauling loads and loads of fill dirt there were frequently loads that got stuck in the dump trailer due to some clay. I started coating the bed with used engine oil before loading it and it worked great. Raise it up some, dump it on the nose of the bed, and let it run down. Problem solved.

 

[Xfaxman]

coldwxguy quoted: "Have you ever figured out your angle when fully raised?" LOL

Don't know about my angle, but it definitely gets bigger and longer.

 

[Jac65]

Clean the trailer bottom and spray it with a silicone lubricant every once in a while.

 

[3Ts]

The manufacturer advertises a dump angle of 42*, so not a whole lot. However, I'm also dumping on a slope which I think (haven't measured it) is about another 10* based on the slope of my barn roof.

Amazon has the truck vibrators from about $500 to $1200 (same size), different companies.

And the silicone lubricant sounds like a good idea also.

You've given me several things to try over the next few months.

 

[Dftodd]

I’ve seen full sized dump trucks with a vibrator attached to the bottom of tge bed.

Isn't that why you hear the tailgate slamming on a dump truck when they unload??? Pop the clutch and slam the tailgate a couple times to knock loose what ever is left in the bed.

 

[tmcj]

I only used the oil for fill dirt. Not for mulch or anything.

My place of work is a pultruded fiberglass manufacturer. We make 4 x 8 sheets as mentioned above. I had considered lining the floor of the trailer with it when it was new but didn't want to bolt it in. It is really slick, especially when wet. Not sure how wet dirt or clay would do on it though. Haven't tried it yet.

 

[Renze]

In

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Why does your trailer dump only like 45 degrees ? It should dump 55 degrees at minimum, some trailers dump even 70 degrees.

 

[Torvy]

Teenage me would say get some M80s and a slingshot. Maybe it works, maybe you blow off a finger. Either way, you have a conversation starter.

Most of the time, I've been able to just 'bounce' the dump. Failing that, rapidly applied brakes seems to work. Best of luck!

 

[3Ts]

In

Why does your trailer dump only like 45 degrees ? It should dump 55 degrees at minimum, some trailers dump even 70 degrees.

That's all the manufacturer designed it for. (The spec sheet says 40*) And, yes, I agree it should be more. I believe 45* is marginal and is the angle of repose for a lot of materials so a few more degrees would be best. Up until this load, I've not had a problem. The shaker idea is really interesting and should be easy to do.

 

[Renze]

That's all the manufacturer designed it for. (The spec sheet says 40*) And, yes, I agree it should be more. I believe 45* is marginal and is the angle of repose for a lot of materials so a few more degrees would be best. Up until this load, I've not had a problem. The shaker idea is really interesting and should be easy to do.

What kind of cylinder does it have, if it is a telescopic one, you could perhaps swap it for one with a stage more than the existing one.

This is really a design flaw that would aggrevate me terribly.

 

[3Ts]

It's a scissor hoist with a pretty big cylinder. I'd have to measure it to see what its size is. I'm not sure if a longer cylinder would work, but I've not paid much attention to the geometry of the hoist. At the moment it is not worth the effort to change/correct anything on the trailer.

On second thought - I was originally thinking that a longer cylinder would lift the bed higher as long as the cylinder rod did not interfere with the pivot point. But then I realized a longer cylinder would not retract enough to lower the bed completely. So, no modifications to that part. That puts me back to the shaker being the easiest fix if the oils don't work out.

 

[ArlyA]

It's a scissor hoist with a pretty big cylinder. I'd have to measure it to see what its size is. I'm not sure if a longer cylinder would work, but I've not paid much attention to the geometry of the hoist. At the moment it is not worth the effort to change/correct anything on the trailer.

On second thought - I was originally thinking that a longer cylinder would lift the bed higher as long as the cylinder rod did not interfere with the pivot point. But then I realized a longer cylinder would not retract enough to lower the bed completely. So, no modifications to that part. That puts me back to the shaker being the easiest fix if the oils don't work out.

I'm 95% sure you can't add a longer stroke cyl and increase its dump height. Might be time for a new trailer....

 

[farmalldx33]

Get a gallon of slip plate or graphite. Tractor supply or a farm supply store should have something for that.

 

[Hersheyfarm]

Get a new trailer

 

[Hersheyfarm]

Isn't that why you hear the tailgate slamming on a dump truck when they unload??? Pop the clutch and slam the tailgate a couple times to knock loose what ever is left in the bed.

Just pulling away from your pile slams the tailgate several times because your gate has to be pulled over your dumped load.

 

[Joel/ak]

On our dump truck, I keep a 3lb sledge hammer in the cab. When that happens, pound on the deck and get out of the way. Same concept as a vibrator but cheaper.

Really wet black dirt I'll climb in and just shovel it. PIA but whatever

 

[YanmarFever]

Wax the bed of the trailer and whooosh out it goes..

 

[kevin37b]

Amazing Again .