Dump Trailer Build

[JFoshee]

Decided to build my own dump trailer. I traded an old bandsaw for a 1 ton frame. Here are some pics of the build. Any comments are appreciated, good or bad.

We have the frame bent and we're getting ready to put the hitch on.

1/2" plate welded to the front with 1/2" plate on top and bottom. Already had a pintle hitch and mount, just drilled holes and bolted it right up.

We've got the bed frame tacked together and setting on the frame here. We used 6" channel for the mainframe.

Here's a side view.

We drilled a hole that just fits the pipe which will be used for the bushing on the pivot point.

Here is the pipe sticking in the hole. The inside is plated with 1/2" x 6" flat steel. [Pipe not cut to length, obviously]

I got the jack welded on tonight. I welded a piece of 3"x5"x1/4" angle inside the frame and welded my 5,000# Bulldog Jack to that.
This is all the pics I have for now, I will work on it some more this weekend. More pics later.

 

[Ign]

I think it's cool. Probably the best use for a 10.25 too LOL

 

[HOTFR8]

Looking good. Looking forward to see it finished.

 

[willf650]

Do you intend on using the brakes on the axle? If you are how are you going the actuate them?

 

[dirttracker18]

I wonder how one of those hydraulic units that mounts between the hitch and the tongue would work with a stock braking system?
You would likely have to spend some money to get one but with the loads you will be carrying I would not want to go without some form of brakes.

 

[JFoshee]

Not really planning to do much hauling on the road. Mostly just around the house. Probably pull and dump with the tractor for now. Maybe later add a 12 volt hydraulic unit to dump with. I know that makes it not quite as versitle, but I'm trying to use material that I already have,(mostly), and I don't have a 12 volt hyd pump.
I might look into one of those hitch units if I decide to pull it with my truck. All of the brake stuff is still intact on the axle.

 

[nolatoolguy]

Not really planning to do much hauling on the road. Mostly just around the house. Probably pull and dump with the tractor for now. Maybe later add a 12 volt hydraulic unit to dump with. I know that makes it not quite as versitle, but I'm trying to use material that I already have,(mostly), and I don't have a 12 volt hyd pump.
I might look into one of those hitch units if I decide to pull it with my truck. All of the brake stuff is still intact on the axle.

What about hydrulic system on your tracor what type do you have

 

[jmh21586]

yeah put a ram on it and dump it with the tractor hydraulics if it has them.

 

[jmh21586]

I'd like to build a smaller dump trailer for my lawn mower. Something better than those crappy dump carts sold at most box stores.

 

[D KRAGER]

Looking forward to seeing this.... Me and a buddy built one a couple years ago. We used an old wagon and cut it down instead of using a truck frame. We used the sideboards off an old 2 ton grain truck. We can haul around 5 Ton.

How many tons are you figuring you can haul with it?

What are you gonna use for the floor and side material?


I love using old stuff and fabricating it into something new. Keep up the good work!

 

[JFoshee]

What about hydrulic system on your tracor what type do you have[/QUOTE
3020 John Deere with single outlet hydraulics

How many tons are you figuring you can haul with it?
No idea.

What are you gonna use for the floor and side material?
3/16 sheet steel in the floor and treated wood for side planks.
I'll try to load a few more pics a little later, they are downloading to photobucket now.

 

[JFoshee]

Still working on posting using the "quote" deal. Guess I need some more practice.

 

[akdiesel]

It looks good and should handle a good amount of weight.
I am sure you are planning on centering the dump box over the axles but some loads will be loaded unevenly and dumped unevenly, so with the singel axle you may and will have some issues of over weight on the tractor and pickup as well as possibly lifting the rear of both vehicles when dumping the load.
You may think about adding some rear drop supports and lower them prior to dumping.

 

[JFoshee]

These will mount on the outside of the truck frame for the pin to go through for the dump frame to pivot.

I used 4" channel to box in the inside of the frame. The 1/2" x 6" plate will weld to this.

I have the bushing welded in here. Getting ready to pin it.

Got it pinned here. It pivots great.

Another shot from the back.

I am sure you are planning on centering the dump box over the axles but some loads will be loaded unevenly and dumped unevenly, so with the singel axle you may and will have some issues of over weight on the tractor and pickup as well as possibly lifting the rear of both vehicles when dumping the load.

It sets four inches to the front of the axle. If I pull it with a truck I won't be hauling much weight, only bulk material. But that's a good idea. If I have problems dumping like that, I'll keep it in mind.

 

[JFoshee]

We tacked some pieces in to see how our cylinder was going to work. Well, it's not. The cylinder I wanted to use only had a 24" stroke. I knew it was going to be close, but it is just to short. If I move it farther back I'm afarid it won't dump enough weight. I'm looking for a 4"-5" cylinder with 36" stroke. Pretty sure I can make that work and be satisfied with the results. The picture shows the 24" stroke maxed out. The angle is probably enough for most stuff, but if I ever wanted to haul some dirt I want it to get high enough to get it all out.

 

[JFoshee]

Sorry forgot to turn the bottom onr 90 degrees.

 

[PurdueSD]

Man i need to build something like this.... Keep us posted...

 

[JFoshee]

No pics tonight, not much progress I'm afarid. I did find another cylinder today though. The new cylinder only has 32" of stroke instead of the 36" I wanted, but it has a 4 1/2" tube. I will make it work. I got a great deal on it to. It came off a John Deere skidder that had been junked, but hooked it up on air and it dosen't seam to leak by the piston seals. Maybe it will be OK. I can always repack it if I need to.
Does anyone have any suggestions for the lower mount. It will have to be very strong to hold the pressure of the load pushing againist it and not bend. I was thinking about some 3" x 5" heavy wall tubing. Any ideas?

 

[e-tek]

WOW - HEAVY DUTY stuff! Is that your shp or work?

 

[JFoshee]

That's my shop at home. Just a little place to get away from the wife. Just kidding. The part where the trailer is measures 28x38x16. The part behind the trailer, where the boat was(different post on different forum) is about 20x30x8. I am very lucky to have this, but it has taken three generations of my family to get it to this point. Thanks for noticing.

 

[kbs2244]

You should have plenty of slant to dump anything short of wwet clay.
The slickest way (Ahem) to fix that problem that I have seen is to use the plastic wall sheets they sell for dairy barns on the floor and sides.
It is water proof and nice and slippery.

 

[JFoshee]

Not much done again tonight, had to work on the fridge in the house. I did buy the metal for the upper and lower cylinder mounts today. I decided to go with 3" x 5" x 1/4 wall thickiness and use 1/2" plate to mount it to the frame. I will try to post some pics soon, just not much to show right now. Maybe some good progress tomorrow night.

 

[JFoshee]

Here is the trailer with the final dump angle. I think it should be enough. I found a cyl with a 32" stroke and a 4 1/2" bore pretty big, but it was cheap, and I believe it is good.

Here's a side view of the front mount. I went with 3" x 5" tubing 1/4" thick. Pretty heavy stuff. The mount for the cylinder pin is 3/4 material.

Here is a closer look at the front mount and how the cylinder mounts.

I used the same 3x5 tubing on the dump part of the trailer. All of the work is just tacked in in the pictures, I currently have it all out welding it solid. I'll try to post some more pics the first of the week. Won't get much done this weekend since it's Easter. Happy Easter to you.

 

[jmh21586]

looking good!!

 

[thump186]

Very nice job. Can't wait to see more pics of the progress and pics of it in action.

 

[kbs2244]

That is pretty steep.
It should dump just fine.

 

[JFoshee]

Although I'm not working on the tailgate yet, I trying to look ahead a little. I'm planning to build two doors that hinge on each side and latch in the middle like semi trailer doors. The only difference being that semi trailer doors latch at the top and bottom, but my trailer will only latch at the bottom. Any ideas on how to make the latch. One method is like on the semi truck doors. This is basically all I can come up with. Any ideas.

These are the type doors I am talking about, but I'm having trouble finding a picture of the latch. Guess I could go to a truck stop with my camera. Other type latch ideas are what I'm really asking for.
Thanks for the motivation posts. It really makes you feel good.

 

[jmh21586]

bolt on one side, hole on the other?

 

[Technic_569]

You could use a couple of these along the seam where the two doors meet. They are designed for horse stall doors but could be beefed up a bit along the mounts to make it stronger

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(g...tdetails.aspx?sku=998018587&source=GoogleBase

Riley

 

[JFoshee]

bolt on one side, hole on the other?

That would be cheap and easy, but not sure how tight they would stay closed.

 

[malodin]

one question, is the ram on a slight angle if not wont you have a hard time actually getting the bed in the air especially when its loaded down? i cant tell from the pictures.

 

[JFoshee]

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days, but my internet has been down I have some more pics, but can't upload yet due to over shooting my upload limit with Wildblue. Never fear soon there will be pics.
Someone asked about the angle of the cylinder. Not sure exactly, I haven't found my angle finder yet, possibly borrowed and not returned, but it is on an angle. I have the cylinder mounts welded in now and have the cylinder mounted. Also, got the cross braces in for the floor this weekend. At a little bit of a stand still right now until I can bite the bullet for the dough it will take to floor it, but I'll try to pick it up soon. Again sorry no pics this time.

 

[JFoshee]

Finally got my internet connection repaired. Here are a few up to date pics.

This is how we ae holding the pin in at the pivot point. This also helps keep it from spreading.

We used 3" channel for the frame work under the floor.

We've got all the frame work in place now.

Here is the all the progress to date. I'm ready to put the floor in. Maybe in the next couple weeks I can get that done.

 

[PS6L]

This build is a nice one and will give years of service. I see that someone already warned about the weight shift while dumping but be especially careful when dumping while hitched to the tractor 3pt, been there, done that.

To build the gate as a fold down or split swing you need to build a 3 leg rectangular frame that is hinged at the bottom and latched at the top of the box on each side. The gates then are hinged on each side of this rectangular frame and latched to each other at the top. Don't skimp on the hinges or latches.

I bought a used Bri-Mar single axle dump several years ago and then found out that the local quarry had a policy banning single axle trailers. So I had to go 35 miles farther to a family owned quarry. I hauled a lot of ROC and pea gravel with that trailer and overloaded it often. It was the same design as your's and it never failed to lift and dump the load. Quite amazing to tell you the truth.

I sold my trailer last year for the same $$$ that I paid for it plus an extra $50 for the pintle hitch. I've got a picture here somewhere.

PS6L

 

[JFoshee]

I know it has been forever, but I finally finished my trailer.

We finally scraped up enough money for the floor and have the side supports on now.

I know it is premature, but we put the side planks on before we painted it so it could be tested. It done very well. I don't have pics, but the wood was taped off while painting.

Finally it's painted and ready to use. I still need to add the lights, but it won't hit the road any time soon. We hauled some old brush piles with it and it did pretty good. I did load it one time to heavy and it wouldn't dump, but it was loaded very heavy. For the money I have in it I am very satisfied with what I have. Not to mention all the one on one time I spent with my dad building it. I had a blast and if it fell apart tomorrow I would still have that. Thanks for all the support during this build.m

 

[HOTFR8]

Looking good. Glad you have your net problems fixed.

 

[Rockford514]

Very COOL,I love built not bought