AirFlo dump bodies

[MA Arborist]

Any of you guys use this brand??
Do you know the hoist rating (power)?

I am looking at a truck with the 11 foot (Pro Class) dump body. The dump hoist is slow.

The dealer is supposed to get back to me with specs but a little “insider” info is always appreciated!

Thanks
JC

 

[Reach]

They seem to have a good reputation, especially as a salt spreader manufacturer. Hoists are not always made by body builders though, and the chassis weight class of the truck makes more difference in hoist size than the bed length. Also, electric over hydraulic hoists are slow, the stronger they are the slower they lift. PTO hoists are far faster, but cost MUCH more.

 

[MA Arborist]

My last three trucks had electric over hydraulic hoists but none were this slow.

This electric pump motor sounds like it’s strained/bogged down

 

[Reach]

My last three trucks had electric over hydraulic hoists but none were this slow.

This electric pump motor sounds like it’s strained/bogged down

If that’s the case, it’s either way too small, or something is not right. Are all the moving parts properly greased? A bound up scissor mechanism or pair of hinges will take an incredible amount of force to move, but they will still move, so you might not know there’s a problem.

Also, a pump that’s been run when low on oil can act like that even when it’s full, due to damage to the internal components.

 

[MA Arborist]

If that’s the case, it’s either way too small, or something is not right. Are all the moving parts properly greased? A bound up scissor mechanism or pair of hinges will take an incredible amount of force to move, but they will still move, so you might not know there’s a problem.

Also, a pump that’s been run when low on oil can act like that even when it’s full, due to damage to the internal components.

interesting...and good to know. Thanks

 

[Reach]

interesting...and good to know. Thanks

Interesting happening in my life as an example to that one, actually: I used to have an old worn out ‘92 F150. While driving it, I noticed over time the steering wheel getting harder to turn, to the point where I was ready to have the steering box replaced. We started taking it apart to replace it and found the left front outer universal joint had become so tight it was taking all the power of the power steering just to make it flex.

 

[MA Arborist]

Finally heard back from my dealer.

He added another battery. Said that the voltage wasn’t enough from just one battery

Doesn’t seem right to me since it’s only an 8 ton hoist.

 

[Reach]

An 8 ton hoist is pretty powerful, but they all use the same pumps, which pull around 100-120 amps, if I remember correctly. Same pump is in a dump trailer too, which only has one battery. If the voltage is too low for the hoist, I would think bad cables or cable terminals-possibly even just dirty connections, I have one truck that does that every few months for no apparent reason, or the battery is worn out.

 

[MA Arborist]

An 8 ton hoist is pretty powerful, but they all use the same pumps, which pull around 100-120 amps, if I remember correctly. Same pump is in a dump trailer too, which only has one battery. If the voltage is too low for the hoist, I would think bad cables or cable terminals-possibly even just dirty connections, I have one truck that does that every few months for no apparent reason, or the battery is worn out.

My last truck had a 10 ton hoist. Just one battery and plenty of power

 

[Reach]

My last truck had a 10 ton hoist. Just one battery and plenty of power

Sounds about right, I would think, especially if the engine is running, as the alternator provides a boost. If I set the rpms up a bit on my electric hoist trucks, I can hear a difference in the pump speed, as the voltage goes up so amperage goes down in the motor and the motor is able to do its with less, so to speak.