The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts what do you use for safety working under dump beds

Looking for ideas for working under the dump bed of my truck and want the safety of not being squished like a bug.
So my question is what do you guys use for locking the bed in the up position?
I need to do body work on the back of cab. Any suggestions much appreciated.
Thanks Jon

We have used the bucket on a front-end loader as a support when working on/under my uncle's dump bed. On his dump truck (80's model GM- I don't know specifics) there is a bracket made to insert a post(?) somewhat like a engine hood support. I don't guess we ever had the post, and we weren't ever under the thing for bodywork...

I'd use 2- 6"x6" posts on end as a brace. Find a good attachment point on the truck frame & the bed frame to tie off or bolt through. Stack up a bunch of tires. Or, use a steel gantry crane (minus the casters) assembled in place. I'm just throwing out some ideas- you could even frame a 2"x4" structure under there (think "lean-to") if you think the bed will be raised for quite a while.
Edit- Even if there is a designed/functional/factory way to lock the bed in the upright position, I'd still build something else if I was going to be under it.

Brad

Hy JH51, I would use at least one piece of 4 X 4 wood located between the chassis and dump box in the up position. Position the support on a chassis crossmember or frame rail and against a substantial part of the underside of the dump box. You should come up with a method of holding the brace in place, something other than the weight of the dump box resting on the support, that way it can't be accidentally knocked out of place. If you have a substantial piece of steel you could tack weld it in place also. More than one piece of wood or steel would be better, try to position the brace(s) so they are not in your way while working. Good luck, be safe.

Thank you Brad and 3b. 6x6's and a gantry crane sounds pretty good and maybe some welded braces can't be to careful right.
Thanks again

An old drive shaft works pretty well. The yokes on each end will keep it from slipping. Years ago most dumps had to raise the bed to fill gas. We kept drive shafts for the guys to use for a safety while filling gas.

Please, please, please be EXTRA careful. Lost a dear friend many years ago. I'll never forget it although I'd like to. RIP Delmus.

The safest way is to fabricate a ram lock by splitting a piece of heavy wall pipe lengthwise and welding hinges to one side. Clamp the pipe over the hydraulic ram for the bed lift cylinder so it cannot retract. I did a lot of maintenance on dump trucks when I worked for a concrete company and we had a custom-fitted ram lock for every truck in the company. Our ram locks were made out of schedule 80 steam pipe and had hinges and welded-on flanges for several bolts to hold them clamped over the ram.
Jerry

4x4's or 6x6's as mentioned. If you have long enough ones you can rest them directly on the ground. Otherwise, do as 3B suggested.
Jerry's method also seems like a good idea.
Whatever you do, be careful and be safe. As Alvin mentioned, I also knew a guy who was killed by one.

x2 on Jerry's idea. But you will need the 4x4 or 6x6 during fabrication of the ram lock. Take a look at these folks to get some other fabrication ideas. http://dump-lok.com/
Be extra careful.

SimS

Thank you everyone for the great suggestions. Definitely going to use most all of them expecially Jerry's ram lock. Safety is number one and most important to me.