Small dump trailer re-build

[SkunkWerX]

This is an old old old beat-up little trailer. It's hand-me-down from a friend, I have been using for general around the yard hauler.

I finally destroyed the original tongue, , and figured it was time to give the 'beater' some TLC. It was a 4'x7' box, but the extra length made the dump angle too shallow, which caused extra work dumping dirt, mulch, etc.

I have cut off approx. 1 foot from the rear and welded it back together, now a 4'x6' trailer. Picked up a new coupler and a nice stout piece of 2x2 square tube for the tongue.

Borrowed the cylinder from the grader blade, since it sits a lot, and starting working out the geometry for the dump cylinder. The cylinder is mounted to the grader blade and dump trailer with quick pins, so that it can easily be moved between uses.

Progress so far. Frankenstein's Dump Trailer?

video:
Dump Trailer First Test


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[kennyd]

Very cool, It's operated from the tractor hydraulic's I assume?

 

[SkunkWerX]

Very cool, It's operated from the tractor hydraulic's I assume?

Kenny, thanks for the kind words.
Yes, powered by tractor hydraulics.
2.5" cylinder, 8" stroke, 1.5" rod (nice heavy rod).

Down side is when using FEL, trailer must be detached, then reattached when going to dump. Was getting tired of raking 3/4 of the mulch and woodchips from the trailer. Another TBNer, ktmpat, brought over some fill dirt and that was the final straw, shovelling dirt out of a dump trailer is pretty dumb.

Overall, even having to re-attach to go dump, it should save time (and effort) at the delivery end of of the load.

I am trying to develop a good tail gate design, that will allow it to hinge top and bottom, and the latches be released from drivers seat.

 

[Renze]

I am trying to develop a good tail gate design, that will allow it to hinge top and bottom, and the latches be released from drivers seat.

In Holland, the "French" tailgate is popular: this is a construction with a long arm attached to the tailgate, with a pivot on the bucket. When the trailer is tipped, the pivot point on the bin goes up, but to the other end of the arm, a chain is attached to the chassis. This way the tailgate opens automatically when the trailer is tipped.

When moving muck and branches, you need the pivot arm long enough so the tailgate opens high enough above the trailer, that no lumps of grass or muck will plug up behind the tailgate and pull the tractors rear axle off the ground when the center of gravity moves behind the mid and plugs there.

 

[GuglioLS]

.....Snip......I am trying to develop a good tail gate design, that will allow it to hinge top and bottom, and the latches be released from drivers seat.

SkunkWerX,
Nice start on the rebuild - when you figure out the tailgate let me know so I can copy it, as I want the same thing for my home made dump trailer
It must hinge down and be supported like a tailgate of a pickup truck, yet also hinge from the top to open from the bottom like a traditional dump gate. I have a rough idea of what it would take, but never took the time to build it. So I look forward to you paving the way.


Larry

 

[SkunkWerX]

SkunkWerX,
Nice start on the rebuild - when you figure out the tailgate let me know so I can copy it, as I want the same thing for my home made dump trailer
It must hinge down and be supported like a tailgate of a pickup truck, yet also hinge from the top to open from the bottom like a traditional dump gate. I have a rough idea of what it would take, but never took the time to build it. So I look forward to you paving the way.

Larry

Larry, my same requirements for the tailgate, exactly.
I think I have it figured out.

Here is a simplistic sketch to show the idea for the latches.
They will be held in the latched position with springs.
The bottom latches will have steel cables attached, and run toward the front of the trailer, so that when they are pulled, the bottom latches release.
Top latches will be operated manually from rear of trailer, like a pick-up bed.
Steel cables to hold the tailgate level in "pick up" mode.

PS: This design also allows for the easy removal of the gate, in it's entirety, for jobs like hauling brush and other unwieldy loads.


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