Pallet-box for pickup bed?

[sheepfarmer]

Googled bedslide and drooled...expensive but would sure be nice.

NIW where did you get the picture of the blue basket on wheels? Curious about the dimensions. Fantasized about building a sheep cage for when I have to haul a couple of "lambs" at 100 lbs each. I can haul them in my big horsetrailer shoving them up the ramp, but not possible to lift them into the back of the truck without help. And I don't like hauling the trailer in the winter. Of course I don't like cleaning out the back of my truck either.

 

[skeets]

http://www.shaulsmfg.com/SHAUL_S_MISC.EQUIP.pdf

http://loprotrailers.com/Animal_Truck_Boxes.php

http://www.cactushorsecorrals.com/Livestock-Rack-p/plr464.htm

http://www.ebay.com/itm/16-Foot-Gal...g-Back-Gate-/141917116866?hash=item210aeb59c2

For haulin critters to auction

 

[Grouse Feathers]

To keep cargo from sliding forward in the bed they make telescoping bars. Easy to put in and easy to move for different sized cargo. Keeps everything back by the tailgate:
http://www.amazon.com/Heininger-401...220753&sr=8-2&keywords=pickup+truck+cargo+bar

Amazon shows it keeping stuff up front, but I use it to keep things in the rear where I can reach it. If you are interested also look at the divider bar add on.

 

[sheepfarmer]

http://www.shaulsmfg.com/SHAUL_S_MISC.EQUIP.pdf

http://loprotrailers.com/Animal_Truck_Boxes.php

http://www.cactushorsecorrals.com/Livestock-Rack-p/plr464.htm

http://www.ebay.com/itm/16-Foot-Gal...g-Back-Gate-/141917116866?hash=item210aeb59c2

For haulin critters to auction

A smaller version of the 3d one, with a floor so I can pick it up with pallet forks and slide it into the truck lambs and all would be perfect!

 

[mendonsy]

The bedslide type devices are expensive and don't really hold a lot of weight when extended. It would be simpler and cheaper just to buy a small utility trailer to load your heavy stuff on.

 

[aeronutt]

This is a bit of a left turn from the original question, but I wonder if one of those 275 gallon totes could be modified to let you buy bulk feed rather than sacks? I'm thinking cut a square hole in the top, add hinges and a latch, and you could have the tote filled straight from the grain auger. When filling, you would let the guys at the feed store use their forklift to move it as needed. When you get it home, you'd want to set it up on a stand or ledge of some sort so gravity would be your friend when dispensing, which would be accomplished via a sliding gate on the side and let gravity do the work. Unloading the last 20% or so would probably require using a shovel since the bottom is flat and the sliding gate would be on one side. I've never actually tried this, so it's possible my idea is completely impractical. It also assumes you have a feed store that sells in bulk, not just bags.

I'd love to hear back either positive or negative thoughts on this so I might learn.

 

[sheepfarmer]

The bedslide type devices are expensive and don't really hold a lot of weight when extended. It would be simpler and cheaper just to buy a small utility trailer to load your heavy stuff on.

I wondered how strong they were, might depend on the type, I suppose.

Yes a utility trailer would come in handy for a lot of things!

Actually the simplest solution to the loading sheep question is to swallow my pride and call up one of my neighbors and ask for help lifting the sheep into the back of the truck, or wait until the snow and mud are gone and get the horse trailer out. I am a little on the pigheaded side, and I like the idea of doing things myself...the tractor goes a long way in that direction. Now if I could train the sheep to hop in the bucket and then hop into the truck after it was lifted.

 

[sheepfarmer]

This is a bit of a left turn from the original question, but I wonder if one of those 275 gallon totes could be modified to let you buy bulk feed rather than sacks? I'm thinking cut a square hole in the top, add hinges and a latch, and you could have the tote filled straight from the grain auger. When filling, you would let the guys at the feed store use their forklift to move it as needed. When you get it home, you'd want to set it up on a stand or ledge of some sort so gravity would be your friend when dispensing, which would be accomplished via a sliding gate on the side and let gravity do the work. Unloading the last 20% or so would probably require using a shovel since the bottom is flat and the sliding gate would be on one side. I've never actually tried this, so it's possible my idea is completely impractical. It also assumes you have a feed store that sells in bulk, not just bags.

I'd love to hear back either positive or negative thoughts on this so I might learn.

It is a good idea and might be fantastic on some farms. The guys at the elevator might or might not be willing to do it, but you can buy some feeds and mixes in bulk no problem. If the empty container can be lifted onto the loading dock by hand, and wheeled that would help. At our elevator the skid steer is usually on another level or a different building, so one would have to catch them when they aren't real busy. They like to sell corn pre-bagged, and the alfalfa pellets are from Canada and are also in 50 lb bags. The barn my sheep are fed from is really a 3 sided shed with a narrow area for feed storage, so getting a tote in and out might be tricky without some remodeling. The key to the tote would be making it water and mouse proof etc. As well as easy to fill and empty.

 

[D2Cat]

I get feed in bulk. I modified a metal tote to store it in. I laid the tote on its side and cut the metal and plastic. Used metal screws to reattach the plastic to the sq. tubing. Added two hinges (with screws) to what is now the top to allow feed to be enclosed completely.

Just unloaded a bag yesterday. 1485# set on wooden pallet. I pick up the bag and drive my truck off, then place into the container. Those bags JUST fit!

Many feed stores will load a container to what ever the customer wants size wise.

This store has a feed truck off load into the bags and they have various amounts in each bag. I didn't call and order, I just went in and got what they had. This bag has protein pellets. They're pretty dense. My metal tote is full at #1450.

 

[D2Cat]

A few more pictures.

It would be pretty easy to shorten the metal frame to any height needed. Or to put hinges and latch on a side and leave the top off.

 

[sheepfarmer]

D2, I like your idea for bulk feed, if I understand correctly your tote lives on its side permanently? I searched for some, and found these

http://www.thecarystore.com/contain...ned-tote-tank-reconditioned-cage-steel-pallet

that look like yours.

I was wondering what the top looks like, since while I was staring at it I also thought it would be perfect to carry and store water to some places not convenient to hoses. I am thinking MI will have a drought this summer, and so can't count on rain as usual. On those totes you could see how water could be removed at the bottom, does the top have a place to fill?

 

[Tooljunkie]

About an 8" diameter fill hole with a thread on cap that is vented. Bottom usually has a valve with a built in banjo coupling.

 

[armylifer]

What I use is one of those trailer hitch baskets that I got from Harbor Freight several years ago. I use a clamp on bucket hitch receiver on my bucket to load the cargo carrier on the bed of the truck. The cargo carrier is narrower than my truck bed but wider than the wheel wells in the truck so it never slides forward past the wheel wells. I also have a rubber bed mat and it also keeps the load from moving forward.

I load the cargo carrier into the truck bed using my tractor and then unclamp the receiver from the bucket and leave the receiver attached to the cargo carrier tongue. When I off load the cargo carrier, it is easier to clamp the receiver to the bucket again and offload the cargo carrier with the cargo still loaded on it.

Here is a link to the clamp on bucket hitch that I use.

http://www.palletforks.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=0&q=Clamp+on+Bucket+Hitch

Here is a link to some Harbor Freight cargo carriers. I put a piece of plywood on the bottom of mine so I would load things without them falling through the bottom rails.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=cargo+basket

 

[eipo]

D2, I like your idea for bulk feed, if I understand correctly your tote lives on its side permanently? I searched for some, and found these

http://www.thecarystore.com/contain...ned-tote-tank-reconditioned-cage-steel-pallet

that look like yours.

I was wondering what the top looks like, since while I was staring at it I also thought it would be perfect to carry and store water to some places not convenient to hoses. I am thinking MI will have a drought this summer, and so can't count on rain as usual. On those totes you could see how water could be removed at the bottom, does the top have a place to fill?

Just noticed you are in MI.

Whereabouts? If you are close enough I can get you a tote or 2.

They also pop up on Craigslist quite often.

The top has a screw on cap so yes it can be used to tote water. One of my co workers uses them for this purpose. The bottom fitting USUALLY has a valve and a 2" plastic cam lock fitting or the ability to screw one on.

 

[Corney]

I have 4 totes to haul water around with that cost me a bit of sunlight soap to clean out. Nth ease had an asphalt release agent ( canola oil) .

They are awesome!

 

[sheepfarmer]

Eipo, that would be great, I live near Lansing and could pick up with truck if they fit under cap or with horse trailer if I can get the divider out.

 

[eipo]

Eipo, that would be great, I live near Lansing and could pick up with truck if they fit under cap or with horse trailer if I can get the divider out.

I live in Grand Ledge and work in Lansing.

We get acetic acid (vinegar) and propylene glycol in 275 gallon totes.

Wouldn't be anything for me to drop a couple off if you want. I'm off work through next week recuperating from knee surgery but after that I can see about wrangling a couple up for you.

EDIT: I forgot I have 2 here at my house you are welcome to. I pulled the plastic out of one of them but still have it.

 

[sheepfarmer]

Thank you eipo, that would be great!

 

[eipo]

PM me your address and Ill bring them over tomorrow morning. I have to swing into work for my weekly check in and pick up a plate compactor and then I can drop them off.

I work off Wood Road.

 

[D2Cat]

Sheepfarmer, yes my tote stays in the barn. It takes about $5-$8 of hardware to make. Just two small hinges and about 20 sheet metal screws.

You can get an idea of the fill hole. It is on the side by the orange baler and you can see the ext. cord in the picture. Big black lid.

On the side (actually the bottom) is on the left side you can kinda see where the drain is. If you mentally rotate that picture counter-clockwise 90 deg. the tote would be how they are used when filled with liquid.

I took a picture of the empty bag and then one when the full bag was in it. All the bag fits under the lid by the time I leave the barn, with a bungee cord as a "lock".

Just as a thought, these totes will fit between the fender wells of a pick up (you can see the tote on the pallet in my truck) but I do not think you will be able to haul one if you have a topper on your. Better get a measurement before traveling too far.

If you could get feed in bulk or had a spot in your barn for a trailer, you could eliminate a lot of physical work by putting a tote in a PU bed trailer. You could have the guys at the store load the container and add anything else you might need, and park it out of the weather.