Dump Trailer Cylinder Removal?

[Stitchit1]

I’m about to remove the hydraulic cylinder from my dump trailer. I have the hoses disconnected, (going from electric to hydraulic straight off the rear remotes on my tractor),… The question I have is, when I lift the bed of the trailer to get access to the bolts securing each end of the cylinder, does it harm the cylinder itself by lifting it and having the cylinder extend? I’m assuming not, but wanted to confirm before actually doing it without the fluid in the cylinder etc.

Thanks in advance!

 

[TheOldHokie]

I’m about to remove the hydraulic cylinder from my dump trailer. I have the hoses disconnected, (going from electric to hydraulic straight off the rear remotes on my tractor),… The question I have is, when I lift the bed of the trailer to get access to the bolts securing each end of the cylinder, does it harm the cylinder itself by lifting it and having the cylinder extend? I’m assuming not, but wanted to confirm before actually doing it without the fluid in the cylinder etc.

Thanks in advance!

No harm - just dont nick the exposed rod.

Dan

 

[Stitchit1]

No harm - just dont nick the exposed rod.

Dan

Thank you!

 

[McMXi]

I’m about to remove the hydraulic cylinder from my dump trailer. I have the hoses disconnected, (going from electric to hydraulic straight off the rear remotes on my tractor),… The question I have is, when I lift the bed of the trailer to get access to the bolts securing each end of the cylinder, does it harm the cylinder itself by lifting it and having the cylinder extend? I’m assuming not, but wanted to confirm before actually doing it without the fluid in the cylinder etc.

Thanks in advance!

Neat trailer. Who's the manufacturer?

 

[Stitchit1]

Neat trailer. Who's the manufacturer?

Thanks George! It’s just an old dump box and framing from a dump truck. I love it! And I’ll have a tractor suitable to pull it with before long. I wish it weren’t as high as it is, but payed next to nothing for it so no complaints. Couldn’t stomach buying a new one and tapping it with the excavator bucket while loading it. lol

 

[McMXi]

Thanks George! It’s just an old dump box and framing from a dump truck. I love it! And I’ll have a tractor suitable to pull it with before long. I wish it weren’t as high as it is, but payed next to nothing for it so no complaints. Couldn’t stomach buying a new one and tapping it with the excavator bucket while loading it. lol

Very cool!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

FWIW, be sure to have TWO safety supports,firmly attached BEFORE you go working under a raised box !!!
One is NOT enough.

 

[Stitchit1]

FWIW, be sure to have TWO safety supports,firmly attached BEFORE you go working under a raised box !!!
One is NOT enough.

Thank you! I’m actually going to use 2 4x6’s as well as my excavator bucket/teeth will be holding the lip of the bed. Can never be too safe!

 

[GreensvilleJay]

GREAT
You would be impressed or shocked to see how FAST a bed can fall down when the hose fails.
I used 2 1/2 thick wall pipe,custom ends, wedged to be 100% sure on my dump trailer.

 

[Stitchit1]

Very cool!

George, a bit off topic,… how would you approach the connection/hitch going from the trailer to the tractor drawbar? I don’t want to go cheap on it as I do not want to have to worry about something breaking and have the trailer slam into the rear of the tractor,… (or me. I really like the pintle hitch but I have only had it on my 3 point on my current tractor for a much smaller trailer.

 

[McMXi]

FWIW, be sure to have TWO safety supports,firmly attached BEFORE you go working under a raised box !!!
One is NOT enough.

I have two PJ dump trailers, a twin axle 16ft and a single axle 10 ft. They both have a single steel support that's bolted on one end and sits in a pocket on the other end. So the number of supports needed depends on what they're made of and how they're used.

 

[McMXi]

George, a bit off topic,… how would you approach the connection/hitch going from the trailer to the tractor drawbar? I don’t want to go cheap on it as I do not want to have to worry about something breaking and have the trailer slam into the rear of the tractor,… (or me. I really like the pintle hitch but I have only had it on my 3 point on my current tractor for a much smaller trailer.

I modified the original drawbar that came with the M6060 to use with a pintle hitch. When I bought the RC3712 the dealer gave me another drawbar at no cost which I've managed to leave unmolested. Pintles work well in this application since they allow for lots of movement and less stress over bumpy ground compared to a typical hitch ball and coupler. A pintle hitch that rotates is even better and my M-1078 had one of those.

 

[McMXi]

Chris, I don't know how big the cylinder is on your dump trailer, or how much fluid the cylinder and lines hold but I would drain out as much of the hydraulic oil as possible before connecting to your new tractor which will come with UDT2 in it (I assume). One of the upsides of an electric over hydraulic pump is the lack of contamination/mixing of oil, but since you're going to all this effort, it's worth it (to me) to empty out the old oil which isn't going to be UDT2.

When I bought a used Buhler/Farm King three-way hydraulic rear blade I drained all three cylinders and all the hoses and got a lot of dark looking oil out of them, around 1-1/2 gallons I think.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I have two PJ dump trailers, a twin axle 16ft and a single axle 10 ft. They both have a single steel support that's bolted on one end and sits in a pocket on the other end. So the number of supports needed depends on what they're made of and how they're used.

safety in numbers though ! It'd be really really bad day if that 'pocket' has rotted through and you were under the box....

 

[McMXi]

how would you approach the connection/hitch going from the trailer to the tractor drawbar?

Talking of hitches, these systems are becoming the standard in the UK for the bigger Ag tractors. They use a 90mm (3-1/2") ball.

*New Dromone D80 Product 2023

The NEW Dromone D80 Ball Hitch System for the Fendt range of tractors offers operators the quietest towing experience when compared to conventional hook and ring systems. The newly developed buffer system eliminates rattle and reduces movement between the ball and the pick-up hitch.

dromone.com

 

[Stitchit1]

Chris, I don't know how big the cylinder is on your dump trailer, or how much fluid the cylinder and lines hold but I would drain out as much of the hydraulic oil as possible before connecting to your new tractor which will come with UDT2 in it (I assume). One of the upsides of an electric over hydraulic pump is the lack of contamination/mixing of oil, but since you're going to all this effort, it's worth it (to me) to empty out the old oil which isn't going to be UDT2.

When I bought a used Buhler/Farm King three-way hydraulic rear blade I drained all three cylinders and all the hoses and got a lot of dark looking oil out of them, around 1-1/2 gallons I think.

Thanks George! That’s great advice. I will do that for sure.

 

[Stitchit1]

safety in numbers though ! It'd be really really bad day if that 'pocket' has rotted through and you were under the box....

I got to thinking George,… due to safety concerns,… Would it hurt to lay the trailer on its side to pull the cylinder?

 

[McMXi]

I got to thinking George,… due to safety concerns,… Would it hurt to lay the trailer on its side to pull the cylinder?

Sounds like a good and safe plan since you have that awesome excavator to help. Most of us aren't in a position to roll a dump trailer to do this sort of work. I know (doubt) I couldn't roll my 16ft PJ with what I have.

 

[Stitchit1]

Sounds like a good and safe plan since you have that awesome excavator to help. Most of us aren't in a position to roll a dump trailer to do this sort of work. I know (doubt) I couldn't roll my 16ft PJ with what I have.

Thank you! I’m going to do that!

 

[GeoHorn]

You should construct a good safety-bar for permanent attachment anyway. Most Dump trailers have them as factory-equipment. Don’t do anything as FLIMSY as THIS Guy, tho’…..

Look at a commercial Dump Trailer and copy something similar, using heavy-wall square tubing.