Moving yards and yards of material, a hay wagon?

[icehorse]

I've got yards and yards of stuff to move around the farm, which is about 2000' from south to north, so every trip takes some time.

I'm thinking about getting a small hay wagon like the picture below (1 or 2 ton capacity). My thought is it ought to be fairly easy to unload by using the FEL to back scrape (I know how to do that safely).

I'm also looking for used running gear for a hay wagon.

But I'm open to other low budget approaches for moving stuff around. If I was rich I'd get a dump trailer, but alas...

 

[biketopia]

Could you rent a dump truck or trailer for a few days? You'll most likely need to add some sort of solid side to the hay wagon. Then back dragging to unload, will you build up a ramp with the material so you can reach across from one side, or have rows and rows of windrowed piles from pulling material off the trailer? What are you hauling?

 

[icehorse]

Could you rent a dump truck or trailer for a few days? You'll most likely need to add some sort of solid side to the hay wagon. Then back dragging to unload, will you build up a ramp with the material so you can reach across from one side, or have rows and rows of windrowed piles from pulling material off the trailer? What are you hauling?

This is an ongoing need. I move sand and gravel, windfall, brambles, manure, compost...

Yes, my idea is to back drag from the sides of the wagon, and then do cleanup of the dumped piles.

But I'm open to other ideas...

 

[Dchemphill1]

Those wagons are a pain in the arse to backup with...it can be done but it sucks. So keep that in mind as you plan your route

 

[RCW]

This is an ongoing need. I move sand and gravel, windfall, brambles, manure, compost...

But I'm open to other ideas...

Are you planning for something with the L3901 in your profile?

You didn't specify.

I think your plan has merit for a low budget option.

Certainly, a dump trailer could/would be more efficient but at a greater cost.

Your L3901 has some decent towing capacity, but the issue can control/braking if on steep slopes, etc.

 

[icehorse]

Are you planning for something with the L3901 in your profile?

You didn't specify.

I think your plan has merit for a low budget option.

Certainly, a dump trailer could/would be more efficient but at a greater cost.

Your L3901 has some decent towing capacity, but the issue can control/braking if on steep slopes, etc.

Yes, using my 3901 to load, tow, and unload. Luckily our farm is fairly level, but it's good to keep braking in mind.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: Those wagons are a pain in the arse to backup with.
I knew a 12 year old kid that had NO problem backing them,fully loaded with small bales, up into a bank barn. Mind you he'd been doing it since he was 9. He'd beat me every time arm wrestling too........

 

[rc51stierhoff]

Good day.

I am with @RCW and get something that dumps.

Country Mfgn does make a dump trailer and also a dump wagon. I am not sure that is right size or budget but they are built decent. I am not sure where you are located but they are in Ohio.

Utility Dump Wagons | Trailers for ATV, lawn and garden by Country MFG.

Utility wagons for lawn and garden & utility trailers by Country MFG. We sell factory direct.

mobile.countrymfg.com

I have one of their dump wagons (not yet added a cylinder).

 

[Oleracer]

Look on marketplace. I see some beat up dump trailers pretty reasonable. Also some well rusted 1 ton dumps that aren’t legal road trucks anymore pretty cheap.
the more unroadworthy the cheaper. Good farm trucks / trailers

 

[Oleracer]

This is an ongoing need. I move sand and gravel, windfall, brambles, manure, compost...

Yes, my idea is to back drag from the sides of the wagon, and then do cleanup of the dumped piles.

But I'm open to other ideas...

Just remember dragging off the sides you just might flip one of those trailers with sand or heavy materials

 

[mikester]

 

[NCL4701]

Agree with @Oleracer. Have seen it happen with heavily loaded flatbed semi trailers. With heavy loads, suspect you’ll find you have to unload about half of one side, move over and unload the other side, move back and finish unloading the first side.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

check local scrap yards for a dump trailer.
16 years ago I bought a scrapped one, back then yard was paying $100 a ton,it weighed a ton, yard had to double that to sell. So for $200 I hauled it home with my tractor. It's more than paid for itself.

 

[NorthwoodsLife]

Maybe look for an M101 trailer. I have an M101 A2, which I paid about $500 for.

3/4 ton capacity, has brakes, and it dumps.

 

[icehorse]

Agree with @Oleracer. Have seen it happen with heavily loaded flatbed semi trailers. With heavy loads, suspect you’ll find you have to unload about half of one side, move over and unload the other side, move back and finish unloading the first side.

Yes. I was thinking I might have to add corner jacks to the side I unloaded from.

The countryMFG dump trailer is more than I wanted to spend, but it might end up not being that much more if I have to do a bunch of tweaking to a flatbed... sigh

 

[Dustball]

If you wanted to get creative, you could make a DIY version of the pickup bed unloader except that instead of a manual crank, use a hydraulic motor and gear reduction box that runs off the tractor's circuit. You'd line the floor of the trailer with a plastic or sheet metal first for a smooth surface.

 

[icehorse]

If you wanted to get creative, you could make a DIY version of the pickup bed unloader except that instead of a manual crank, use a hydraulic motor and gear reduction box that runs off the tractor's circuit. You'd line the floor of the trailer with a plastic or sheet metal first for a smooth surface.

View attachment 142253

This is very interesting, I could turn my F350 into a trailer... hmmmm...

In the past I've moved material in my truck, but unloading was always a pain.. hmmm..

 

[Donystoy]

If you wanted to get creative, you could make a DIY version of the pickup bed unloader except that instead of a manual crank, use a hydraulic motor and gear reduction box that runs off the tractor's circuit. You'd line the floor of the trailer with a plastic or sheet metal first for a smooth surface.

View attachment 142253

Great idea except that would make it a two-person operation. One to drive the truck and the other to drive the tractor. Conveyor on truck could be operated by an electric winch motor.

 

[BXHoosier]

I built side boards for my 18’ car trailer to haul loose materials. I’ve hauled several loads of gravel, sand, busted up concrete, etc. I screw down plywood to keep materials from falling through the gaps in the boards. I block up the tail of the trailer and drive the tractor up the ramps and empty it with the loader.

 

[Dustball]

Great idea except that would make it a two-person operation. One to drive the truck and the other to drive the tractor. Conveyor on truck could be operated by an electric winch motor.

No, I meant make the unloader on a trailer bed. Trailer is towed by the tractor, hydraulic hoses from the unloader motor to the tractor so it can be unloaded from the cab.