END DUMP TOP HINGE OF END GATE

Dec 22, 2013 at 07:23 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I have and end dump where it has both a top hinge pivot and a side hinge pivot(can be used either way). The pivot point for the top hinge is right at the very back of the trailer. I haul sweet corn with it in the summer and fall. Up till now we always side swung the end gate to dump the sweet corn. Now the plant is changing how they want it dumped. They want us to have the end gate swing from the top hinge point because of where and how they plan on unloading us. I have been told that with the hinge or pivot at the very back like mine is set up, it will cause the sweet corn to plug up when dumping it. I know there are some trailers where the pivot point is set in further on the trailer, and this seems to work without any problems. My question is, is there a way i can modify the brackets and make a different pivot point further in on the top rail of the trailer to allow this to work best for the sweet corn unloading? Thanks in adavance for your help and ideas.

Replied on Sun, Dec 22, 2013 at 09:30 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Honestly not trying to be a smart A%^&, but can you try it as it is? I have been told I can't??? Do so many things that I CAN do. I would want proof before I start doing a lot of modifing a project like this. Just my opinion. Art Pfluger

Replied on Sun, Dec 22, 2013 at 09:37 PM CST - 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I tried it once as it is set up this past season on my first load and was told that I would risk it plugging up if in kept using it that way and they said they have had guys plug their trailers up in the past

Replied on Mon, Dec 23, 2013 at 10:36 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Two ways to make the modification. You can go straight up by extending brackets on trailer and gate. This method allows gate to still swing just as easy and creates additional clearance according to the height you raise the hinge point. Drawback is loss of clearance at the back of trailer since you have raised the rear corners. Second way to solve the problem is to move hinge points forward. If you make brackets from your tailgate top corner forward to meet a new hinge on top of the box, when your gate swings it will also raise the top of the gate to allow more clearance. This way will keep the height of the trailer the same but creates a larger hole when unloading. There are several drawbacks to this method....there is more stress on the brackets when it is open and gravity tends to hold the gate closed longer and it will not open at the bottom until the trailer is higher. The product pushing on the gate does more to open it than the gate swinging on the hinges. This makes for shorter strung out piles if dumping on the ground. I have built gates with both hinge designs and each has it's did advantages. One other thought for you, since your trailer also swings to the side your modifications need to also allow for use of side hinges which creates another problem.

Replied on Mon, Dec 23, 2013 at 10:36 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Two ways to make the modification. You can go straight up by extending brackets on trailer and gate. This method allows gate to still swing just as easy and creates additional clearance according to the height you raise the hinge point. Drawback is loss of clearance at the back of trailer since you have raised the rear corners. Second way to solve the problem is to move hinge points forward. If you make brackets from your tailgate top corner forward to meet a new hinge on top of the box, when your gate swings it will also raise the top of the gate to allow more clearance. This way will keep the height of the trailer the same but creates a larger hole when unloading. There are several drawbacks to this method....there is more stress on the brackets when it is open and gravity tends to hold the gate closed longer and it will not open at the bottom until the trailer is higher. The product pushing on the gate does more to open it than the gate swinging on the hinges. This makes for shorter strung out piles if dumping on the ground. I have built gates with both hinge designs and each has it's did advantages. One other thought for you, since your trailer also swings to the side your modifications need to also allow for use of side hinges which creates another problem.

Replied on Mon, Dec 23, 2013 at 11:52 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Chris, they are changing their dumping method from dumping on the ground and pushing it in, to dumping on a conveyor type table. Supposedly Blue Earth is already using this method and they want to implement this at all their plants. So now they want us to have it swing from the top instead of the "barn door" opening. Just trying to figure out the most cost effective way to do it. I do not have a liner in it yet, but am planning on putting one in before the coming season. Just started using this trailer this past year. I appreciate the help with answering my questions

Replied on Mon, Dec 23, 2013 at 11:52 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Chris, they are changing their dumping method from dumping on the ground and pushing it in, to dumping on a conveyor type table. Supposedly Blue Earth is already using this method and they want to implement this at all their plants. So now they want us to have it swing from the top instead of the "barn door" opening. Just trying to figure out the most cost effective way to do it. I do not have a liner in it yet, but am planning on putting one in before the coming season. Just started using this trailer this past year. I appreciate the help with answering my questions

Replied on Wed, Dec 25, 2013 at 04:05 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. We currently run 5 end dumps for chopping corn silage and haylage we have moved all the top hinge points forward at least 16 inches. In your situation I don't see where you would have a problem dumping with the trailer as it is now. We have 1 trailer that we move the hinge up instead of ahead its not the best set up but it does offer a lot of clearance. the only problem is they open to easily if someone forgets to close it before leaving the yard. It also will blow open as you drive down the road. It doesn't hurt anything just looks silly

Replied on Wed, Dec 25, 2013 at 04:05 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

We currently run 5 end dumps for chopping corn silage and haylage we have moved all the top hinge points forward at least 16 inches. In your situation I don't see where you would have a problem dumping with the trailer as it is now. We have 1 trailer that we move the hinge up instead of ahead its not the best set up but it does offer a lot of clearance. the only problem is they open to easily if someone forgets to close it before leaving the yard. It also will blow open as you drive down the road. It doesn't hurt anything just looks silly