Flat bed trailer to a Leaf Trailer...

PoplarCreekLawn · 08-15-2006, 07:34 AM

Hey guys. I need some creative thoughts. This is my target. An 18' x 8' trailer. I need to build a box on this sucker to haul leaves in. I also need a way to unload them. I can't tilt this trailer obviously. I have access to a billy goat/and or some type of leaf loader. I also have a sawmill. So rough cut timber isn't a problem.

I am considering some type of plunger/pull idea with small log chains running to the end of the trailer. I have an old farm tractor I can pull with to unload them. Has anyone had any experience with this type of setup? If so, did you like it, hate it, or if you could do it again, how would you overhaul it???

I am trying to conserve money this fall, so, I don't want to go buy a dump truck, and, or trailer.

I wish I had a picture of this trailer without anything on it, but I am too busy at the moment to go pull it out of the storage unit to take one...haha.

Look forward to your thoughts:

~Matt~

daren_r · 08-15-2006, 08:10 AM

check out http://www.lawncafe.com/showthread.php?t=2434 look at the mowerdude's setup

PoplarCreekLawn · 08-15-2006, 09:10 AM

yep thats what i wanted

KYLawnscapes · 08-18-2006, 12:11 PM

I have the same set up kinda. I found unles it dumps you can unlaod with a pitchfork faster than anything if you arnt lazy. My box is 8'x10'x6.6' And it takes us 15 min to unload and that is when its so packed so can stand on the leaves and not sink past you knees. I tried one on those loadhandler with movment at all. The get packed in there so tight. I also built a plunger type thing that i put in the front and hooked to ea tree and pulled out but it also would get wegded or stuck in the box. Unless it dumps i would jire some mexicans.

Blake · 08-19-2006, 06:50 AM

Why don't you mulch the leaves and build an outhouse with the lumber?

PoplarCreekLawn · 09-03-2006, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blake

Why don't you mulch the leaves and build an outhouse with the lumber?

Thanks for making fun of West Virginia...jerk....

I get tired of the jokes on West Virginia. We have indoor plumbing here and just about everything else....at least we can count.....

oldsaw · 09-03-2006, 05:18 AM

If you wanted Something enexpensive you could build wooden panels around trailer,Something like this (Pic below) then use a Dump Assist unloader. It's made for Pickups but I've seen it used on trailers also. Heres the link.
Actually you can use a large tarp and attach to rear of trailer then spreadout to front,load leafs,debree then fold front of tarp back toward rear. If it's one man put pipe thru end of tarp and roll front to rear dumping leaves in a few seconds.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91872

PoplarCreekLawn · 09-03-2006, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsaw

If you wanted Something enexpensive you could build wooden panels around trailer,Something like this (Pic below) then use a Dump Assist unloader. It's made for Pickups but I've seen it used on trailers also. Heres the link.
Actually you can use a large tarp and attach to rear of trailer then spreadout to front,load leafs,debree then fold front of tarp back toward rear. If it's one man put pipe thru end of tarp and roll front to rear dumping leaves in a few seconds.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91872

This is something I will SERIOUSLY consider. Anyone else have some more feed-back about the roll-dumping?

grant087 · 09-03-2006, 05:42 PM

leafs get pretty heavy when u get a lot of them so i dont know about that roller idea, i would just build sides up on the trailer get the strongest pallet you can find tie a 30 ft or so rope to the pallet put it in the front of the trailer make sure the rope always sticks out of the back enough so u can tie it to a tree or spike it into the ground.....thats how we get the leafs out of the back of a pickup should work fine for a trailer too.....

BLF · 09-03-2006, 06:34 PM

Another option. With the trailer as it is now it would depend on where you will dump the leaves. You could make it so one side or the other could be opened and then use the tarp idea to unload to the side. This way you are unloading the width of the trailer not the whole length. Dragging leaves 8' rather than 18'. I also liked the pitch fork idea I used to sell wood shavings and was too cheap

to buy a dump truck, and would unload about 11 cubic yards on a 1 ton flatbed with 4' sides on it heaping on top to where you could stand on it without sinking. Unload time about 15 min clean swept and ready to go.

If you use a tarp for the top try to find some truck or buss inner tubes to cover the corners and any other edges to keep from tearing the tarp

when you tie it down.

Whatever setup you go with post some pics.

Good luck.

08-15-2006, 08:10 AM	#2
daren_r Exploring other options Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Fishersville, VA Age: 32 iTrader: (3) Posts: 6,792	check out http://www.lawncafe.com/showthread.php?t=2434 look at the mowerdude's setup __________________ Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. Benjamin Franklin

08-19-2006, 06:50 AM	#5
Blake Working Smart Not Hard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Madison, Fl Age: 44 iTrader: (0) Posts: 523	Why don't you mulch the leaves and build an outhouse with the lumber? __________________ Blake

09-03-2006, 05:42 PM	#9
grant087 Senior Drinker Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: garden city, mi iTrader: (0) Posts: 109	leafs get pretty heavy when u get a lot of them so i dont know about that roller idea, i would just build sides up on the trailer get the strongest pallet you can find tie a 30 ft or so rope to the pallet put it in the front of the trailer make sure the rope always sticks out of the back enough so u can tie it to a tree or spike it into the ground.....thats how we get the leafs out of the back of a pickup should work fine for a trailer too..... __________________ 06' f-350 ext cab soon to come 94' f150 6cyl 10x6 enclosed trailer 06' toro 52" ztr 23 hp kawasaki 06' billy goat Bunton 52" hydro walk behind 15 hp kohler Hasty Vac Fs90r Stihl Trimmer Fc110 Edger Old stihl trimmer that gets the job done Echo Stick Edger Little Wonder Blower 7001 Redmax Blower 7000 Redmax Blower Craftsman Push Mower

09-03-2006, 06:34 PM	#10
BLF Certified Applicator Join Date: May 2006 Location: Columbus, Ohio iTrader: (0) Posts: 81	Another option. With the trailer as it is now it would depend on where you will dump the leaves. You could make it so one side or the other could be opened and then use the tarp idea to unload to the side. This way you are unloading the width of the trailer not the whole length. Dragging leaves 8' rather than 18'. I also liked the pitch fork idea I used to sell wood shavings and was too cheap to buy a dump truck, and would unload about 11 cubic yards on a 1 ton flatbed with 4' sides on it heaping on top to where you could stand on it without sinking. Unload time about 15 min clean swept and ready to go. If you use a tarp for the top try to find some truck or buss inner tubes to cover the corners and any other edges to keep from tearing the tarp when you tie it down. Whatever setup you go with post some pics. Good luck. __________________ BLF Lawnscapes Blade Leaf Flower Columbus, Ohio 52" Exmark Lazer Z HP 34" Phazer 2009 Echo Bed Redefiner 2009 HVT52 Husqvarna Hover Mower 2001 Ford F 150 Gator 6'6" X 12' Trailer with Jungle Jim Racks Home Made 5' X 10' Trailer with Lifetime Racks Turfco Bed Edger Ryan Lawnaire V Giant Vac Front Mount Aireator Bluebird Overseeder Redmax BP Blower EB 7001 Echo Line Trimmer SRM230 With Edgit Stihl Hand Held Blower SH85

08-15-2006, 09:10 AM	#3
PoplarCreekLawn Landscping Idol n Trainin Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Posts: 780	yep thats what i wanted

08-18-2006, 12:11 PM	#4
KYLawnscapes Bourbon anyone? Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ky iTrader: (0) Posts: 411	I have the same set up kinda. I found unles it dumps you can unlaod with a pitchfork faster than anything if you arnt lazy. My box is 8'x10'x6.6' And it takes us 15 min to unload and that is when its so packed so can stand on the leaves and not sink past you knees. I tried one on those loadhandler with movment at all. The get packed in there so tight. I also built a plunger type thing that i put in the front and hooked to ea tree and pulled out but it also would get wegded or stuck in the box. Unless it dumps i would jire some mexicans.

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Flat bed trailer to a Leaf Trailer...