Grain hoist question

This may be a dumb question...

How much difference is there in a grain truck hoist and one on a dump truck?

I assume the dump truck box is thicker, heavier etc, but does the dump hoist have more lift ability since dirt is much heavier than seed.

Reason I ask, have been looking for an old "yard truck" to move a little dirt around the property, and these old Chevy C50/60 and Fords are all over the place as grain trucks.

Or is it quicker to spend a little more and chase down a single axle dump?

Rick

For one thing, a gravel dumphoist TYPICALLY dumps at a greater angle.

(With a little digging, a could turn up some old hoist manufacturer's information as to how to set them up for either application, and I remember that as being one of the differences.)

That being said, I've hauled more gravel in the grain box on an old '57 Chevy than I care to remember.

You just have to realize the weight per cubic foot is a LOT more and limit the loads to what the truck can handle.

A lot of the old grain trucks I have been around used a scissor type lift where as a true dump truck uses a single muti stage cylinder at the forward end of the bed. A grain truck may work well but you will not be able to haul as much at a time and dump it. A lot of the single axle dump trucks also use a scissor type lift and have a lot small bed as in 8-10 yards or so

The farm truck will work ok for you with these considerations:

Rocks will be hard on the floor if you load into them from a high dump point. The floor will be wood or thinner metal, won't take the same abuse.

You can only load about 1/2 full, maybe enen less. That will be a good heavy load for a single axle, and plenty for the hoist. Don't overdo it.

Most dump trucks hoist very high, or at a steep angle, as wed dirt doesn't like to slide out well. Many grain trucks do not lift quite as high or steep, as grain rolls out a little easier. Probably not too much of a concern for light use or gravel or sand, but if you are hauling a bunch of wet clay stuff, you'd prefer a grain truck with a high lift or a real dump truck.

The farm truck should serve you fine for light general hobby type duty, but yes it has a little bit of limits.

--->Paul

I had a grain truck once, wouldn't dump steep enough to get wet dirt out all the time like the fella said below. They're right, usually a single axle will dump much steeper. If the grain trucks are cheap enough, maybe line the bottom with some extra material to make it stronger for dumping dirt on and then cover it with some of that slick plastic sold in sheets to help it slide out better.

most dump truck boxes hinge at rear of box with axle near end of frame. grain boxes usually have the hinge point and axle further forward. when dumping grain box i have seen load stick then shift to rear all at once and litterly stand box and truck on end, not a fun experiance.

I wouldn't say a dump truck hoist lifts at more angle than a grain truck hoist. It depends entirely on the type of hoist. I've seen some scissor hoists that will dump with the box vertical. As far as the hoists themselfs, weight is weight whether it's grain or wet clay. Hoists are sized for the GVW of the truck and usually exceed the amount the truck can carry by quite a bit. Dump truck hoists are generally much heavier duty with larger pumps so they're faster. Dump truck hoists also have automatic kickout pumps when lifted all the way up so you don't damage the pump or other hyd. components. This is why gravel trucks can drive along and spread gravel as they are dumping. The driver can't know the exact second the hoist is all the way up. Dump trucks lower a lot faster too and the boxes on them are a lot beefier to handle heavy abuse. Grain isn't too hard on a box. For occasional use, either can be used for the other purpose. I have a grain truck and used to have a dump truck. I much preferred the dump truck since I'm moving dirt and it's 10 times faster. The truck I have now, you have to get out of the cab and manually operate the lever to activate the hoist. I plan on moving that inside the cab but the hoist is slow and not nearly as strong as the older dump truck hoist I had. They were both almost the same single axle trucks. 1975 GMC 6500 (with the box and hoist moved to a 1989 Hino) and a 1995 GMC Topkick.

A limestone Quarry opened near Ferguson Iowa in the 60's. The blacksmith in Laurel said he rebuilt many wagon running gears that year. He heard of one farmer that took in a grain truck and told the operator to load it full. The operator asked if a half load would be ok as far as the weight. The farmer said to load it full. He headed to the scale with a full load and blew 5 out of 6 tires before he got to the scale. Ask the loader operator to load so many tons, and he will be pretty close.

All,
Thanks for the good feedback.

Yes, this will be an occasional use. I have a loader, but it is not up to the task for the amount of dirt/gravel I am looking at moving.

If I end up with the grain truck, I'll take it easy and not load it heaping over the top. Sounds like I'll be ok doing it this way.

All of you were right on the fact, both grain trucks I am looking at are scissor lift. I would have to fab up some sort of tailgate, since they both have just the small opening for dumping in the auger.

Thanks again,
Rick