Calculating moving rear axel to shift front weight

Ok so I pointed the shoot downward to keep chips from piling up toward the front and this is how it was loaded
8495482bc0f9a4d8c1ca7f97c06c93ab.jpg


Then I weighed it
Front 9,400
Rear 10,600
Wheelbase is 162 inches
 
If you don't load it the same every time (hypothetically), we can't assume the CoG of the is static.

Blowing the load at the back of the box doesn't seem terribly practical. I'm in a class today, but I'll work on the equation for the information provided.
 
You will have more loading on the front axle when all the weight is front of the rear axle.

I wonder if a full load of chips is more balanced?

Certainly, still looks to needs shifting.
 
Class is pretty boring...

With that load, to reduce your front axle to 8klbs, you would need to shorten your wheelbase 18.9" to 143.1". To get your front axle down to 7500lbs you would need to move the rear axle a whopping 24.6" forward.

Was your chipper on the truck?

Your front axle was 1400lbs over with a 162" wheel base. If your hitch is 42" behind your rear axle, it takes 3.86lbs of tongue weight to take one pound off your steer axle, which is 5400lbs to take 1400lbs off the steer axle. If you move the rear axle forward, it would take less tongue weight to take the same amount off the front axle.
 
Last edited:
The chipper was not on the truck. The tongue weight of my bandit is a little under 300 lbs.

So basically I need to shoot for 18 inches. I may be able to do that but I will converse with the mechanic man on how. We may need to shift the hoist forward as well as the cross member. The problem that arises is that if we move the cross member forward it quickly comes into contact with the hoist cylinder.
 
I have one suggestion. Put in a bulkhead about 2 feet from the front and put a door on each side of the box so you have a big toolbox compartment up front. That would move your load back 2 feet (and reduce your chip hauling volume, but you said you typically don't make a full load) and give you some extra storage space. You could make a temporary divider with plywood and 2x4s to test the weight shift.
It is a bummer to not have the weight distribution right. I'll bet it steers good, but easy to get stuck with a partial load. And if you do continue to operate over axle rating, you end up damaging parts like springs.
 
Also, I would guess the cost to move the axle would be around $2,500 to $3,000. Plus then everything changes with handling and trailer towing response (sligbtly, but noticeable). Best to you.
 
Ben Heller said:
I have one suggestion. Put in a bulkhead about 2 feet from the front and put a door on each side of the box so you have a big toolbox compartment up front. That would move your load back 2 feet (and reduce your chip hauling volume, but you said you typically don't make a full load) and give you some extra storage space. You could make a temporary divider with plywood and 2x4s to test the weight shift.
It is a bummer to not have the weight distribution right. I'll bet it steers good, but easy to get stuck with a partial load. And if you do continue to operate over axle rating, you end up damaging parts like springs.
Click to expand...

That kind of fab work would be more than the axle moving. I'd have to re letter the box and so forth.

I already have a bent front spring. UD is not known for having cheap parts so I'm moving on this ASAP.
 
Seems like a good idea for good data gathering, before spending money. Just some simple framing and plywood would give you numbers.

If you can't move it so far forward as you may like, simply loosing some excess volume might be part of the fix.

A shorter wheel-base on the truck will magnify the 300 pound tongue weight a little. Probably pretty insignificant.
 
southsoundtree said:
Seems like a good idea for good data gathering, before spending money. Just some simple framing and plywood would give you numbers.

If you can't move it so far forward as you may like, simply loosing some excess volume might be part of the fix.

A shorter wheel-base on the truck will magnify the 300 pound tongue weight a little. Probably pretty insignificant.
Click to expand...

I kind of need the capacity I currently have so money isn't an issue. The issue is having it done right.

Currently the pintle is 30" from the rear axle so another 24" won't matter too much.
 
Gorman said:
I kind of need the capacity I currently have so money isn't an issue. The issue is having it done right.

Currently the pintle is 30" from the rear axle so another 24" won't matter too much.
Click to expand...

Is upgrading your front axel an option? Would that be easier and cheaper than messing with the rear axel? It looks like your only dealing with a few thousand extra in weight to add. Just a thought.
 
ROYCE said:
Is upgrading your front axel an option? Would that be easier and cheaper than messing with the rear axel? It looks like your only dealing with a few thousand extra in weight to add. Just a thought.
Click to expand...

Perhaps, but it would be new springs and axle. Parts alone would be thousands since I already priced out a front spring for $1,200.
 
Not sure where youre located but look for a shop that only does suspensions...stuver spring near cleveland ohio set me up with a pair of springs for a henrickson tandem axle ford about 8 years ago for about $600...made them up while we waited...just a thought.
 
craneguy1 said:
Not sure where youre located but look for a shop that only does suspensions...stuver spring near cleveland ohio set me up with a pair of springs for a henrickson tandem axle ford about 8 years ago for about $600...made them up while we waited...just a thought.
Click to expand...

There's a semi-famous place in the war torn shithole of city called Palmer Spring Co. Been around for a hundred years or something. I'm calling them tomorrow.
 
Maybe I can try but the guy at the scales is getting weird with me. I guess I can go to the dump and pay them to weigh it.

I think the best I will get is 24 inches but it will be a big job so I need to find the shop that will take it first
 
We have two truck stops here with their own scales. One is $10.50 and the other is $8. That's where I go for axle weights. Reweighs are a buck each. They don't care about your weights (unlike DOT!) or how many times you weigh. If I'm just wanting my gross weight (rare), I'll go to the county landfill and occasionally flip the scale guy $5(rarer).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New threads New posts

Back
Top Bottom