The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Working on a dump bed safely

I didn't search this topic, so I appologize if it's already been discussed before. I will be needing to do some work to my '59 Viking while the bed is raised, so any safety tips will be greatly appreciated. Many years ago, I remember an incident where a County worker was looking or doing something to his dump truck when the bed lowered and killed him.
Remembering this, I have always had great respect for my truck when it is in the raised position. I would like to know, what is the proper (and safest) way to prop up the bed to prevent such an accident. I am sure that there are many others out there that may also have had limited or possibly no experience around this type of equipment, and therefore could benefit as well.
Maybe, this needs to be moved to another section of the "Bolt" so as many as possible can also be made aware of the possible dangers.

Thanks

John

Newer dump beds have a leg that folds down but most people never use them and they are usually rusted into place. Most people don't even know what it is for. I have never seen one on a older truck like ours, so I made one out of a pice of square tubing 2x4. notched the end to fit into one of the stringers in the bottom of the dump body and the other side is notched to fit the cross member on the frame (just rests there) You are correct in assuming you should NEVER work on a dump in the up position (especially with any load) without it braced. I see people doing it all the time and I cringe when I see it. We had a guy killed here too a few years back. Any thing to brace it incase of a failure.

John, I always lay a hardwood block across the frame, just in front of the hinges. Approx..4"x6"x4'. If you do this, test it by letting the box down on it to make sure it'll hold. As mentioned before never work under a loaded box!! You probably have a "stop" cable attached to the valve in front, and the back of the box in the rear. This cable will stop the hoist from overextending, and should also pull the valve into neutral. Do not hit this cable when the box is up!! This WILL bring the box down! Most new trucks have air controlled hydraulics, thus eliminating this cable. Jeff.

I agree. Use good, stout wood blocks or posts.
Even then, it's not a bad idea to do as much work as possible from below. I don't know what you're working on, but the main thing is to be safe.

I use a chainfall in the barn also my front loader if outside (but still prop the box up).

Thanks guys, I am going to get some heavy steel tubing. I think I will make one for each side.

My truck has an all wooden bed, including the stringers. There is no built in prop rod, chain or cable set-up. I guess safety wasn't on the top of the list when it was installed.

Thanks again

John

If you use steel tube for prop rods, take the extra time to bolt it into place at each end to make sure it stays in place.The weight of the box may "pop" the props out if the are not perfectly strait up and down.It would be easier and maybe safer just to get a big 4x6 or bigger post from a lumber yard and lay it cross ways across the frame. It won't hurt your wooden deck sills, and you can set it from right at the hindges up to the front, depending how much clearance you need in there to work on things.Just set in place and gently lowewr the hoist to it.If you have the engine shut off and gently lower it, you are not "pressuring it down" so you can gently let it come to a stop on the block.I've got 4 grain trucks with hoists ,and this is what we do when servicing the rear of the truck. Jim.

In my shop we sold and serviced dump bodies and whenever we had to remove a cylinder (especially a front mount telescopic) I would always treat the job with the utmost respect even though we took every precaution known to man. I've removed many of them and it still gives me the willies just thinking about it. SAFETY is not an accident...it is a work habit. Only had one man get injured in 10 years and he was working alone when he should have had another man with him.

Incidently, OSHA, not NHTSA, requires the installation of body prop(s)referred to in the earlier threads. Most are at least 2" OD heavy wall tubing with a slip proof reciever pocket on the truck frame or body longsill. Tandem dumps require two props and all require a cabshield adequate to protect the drivers area, i.e., generally 24" minimum. Grain bodies do not require a cab shield.

I use wood as a last resort, cutting a notch is OK, but if the wood decides to split at the load point you can end up with a couple spears shooting down under the truck at two different places, not my favorite visual,...

What I'm fabricating for my truck is a couple struts. Some stout tubing with C-stock welded at each end to firmly prop the bed over the frame. Just a matter of finding a solid cross member on the bed & the frame, cut the tube to fit, set the C-stock in place in the most stable position, & weld it.
I'm thinkin about making a couple hard mounted props that fold down inside the lift rails so I dont have to tote them anywhere.