converting a flat bed into dump bed

[jodystreeserv3]

This is a 1992 F Superduty. The bed is not welded to the frame. What would i need to convert this flat bed into a dumper? What are some different options?

 

[jodystreeserv3]

pic

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Call salvage yards...there's a big one near Waxahatchie that might have a hoist.

Northern sells hoist kits. Plenty of truck outfitters that would love the business.

Use this to search Craigslist:

http://www.searchtempest.com/

When you do the conversion you MUST take lots of pics and share a build thread.

Or...follow this idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiSZW6aztQE&feature=fvwp

 

[jodystreeserv3]

I didnt realize the kits where so expensive. The truck cost 3. Are there other options? Maybe some kind of crank lol until we decide to get the kit? Otherwise im going to build a box on it and just put a heavy duty tarp on the bottom, attach a rope, tie it to a stump and pull it out.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Look for the Loadhandler from Northern.

It would be super simple to make a loadhandler.

 

[jodystreeserv3]

Looks pretty cool. Has anyone here used it? What did you think?

 

[treeman75]

I have worked with trucks without dumps. I think its worth 3 grand to sit in the truck and push a button. Put a dump on it and you will have a 6k truck.

 

[jodystreeserv3]

we eventually will, but for now are looking for something less expensive. We are purchasing the f450 and hopefully before summer we will have a chipper to go with it. We are a 2-3 person company so it starts adding up quick. Even if we had to pull out the chips with a tarp it would be a much better improvement from the way we've been doing it for years. Loading a 16' trailer with 4' side boards, and diceing it up with the saw, load and dice, load and dice. Sucks!

 

[treeman75]

I loaded trucks and trailers for years that way and it does suck. I surprised alot of people of how much I could get on the truck. I have a roofer budy and he will have three or four tarps and layer the tear off on top of the tarps it makes it easier to pull each tarp out. You might try somthing like that, chips get heavy fast.

 

[jodystreeserv3]

sounds like a good idea. Ill give it a try

 

[jodystreeserv3]

Called a welding company in town that does really good work. He said he could fabricate the frame and all we need is the hydraulic pump and it would cost around 3k or 4k.
Iv also got a cousin that builds lowriders with hydraulics and he said hes real familiar with doing it all I need is the hydraulic pump and he can build a frame. I think im gonna go with my cuz. He sounded more confident about it and i dont think he will charge nearly as much. What size hydraulic pump would you guys recommend getting?

 

[Maui Palm & Tree Care]

5 ton rating. we have one on our band new landscaping truck ford F350. we load that thing to the brim sometimes with gravel and compost. i dont have a ton of experience with dump beds but i know its better to have more power then just barely enough because we had to repair our last dump truck in november. it was a 2 ton and we were over loading it which lead the the failure of the main pressure bushing in the cylinder. trust me its better to have more lift then you need.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

The pump needs to be matched to the needs of the cylinder and how fast you need to dump. For arbos who dump maybe once a day cycle time is irrelevant. You do need enough to lift the heaviest load you expect to dump.

Look here:

https://www.surpluscenter.com/home.asp

Northern also handles pumps. Copy their systems or call a distributor.

Wow...these kits look good:

http://northernhydraulics.net/dump_bed_kits.php

 

[Maui Palm & Tree Care]

this is where we got ours tom. http://www.splitez.com/Dump_hoist_kits_pickup_truck.html