The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop dump-bed maintenance

Need to know if there are fluid levels (gear lube or hydraulic fluid) one needs to check on the pump whcih drives the ram to lift the bed? All I am able to see is a breather cap on top of this box-like thing that the PTO is connected to. Should I see fluid in the opening where the breather cap is? or do I look elsewhere on this box? I do not know what type this is, I only know that his is on a 47' chev, 1&1/2 or 2 ton dump. The unit does work but has alot of dirt an grime indicating leaks.

Mine are just a real big cylinder that is also the 'tank". It has a pipe plug about half-way up on side that I remove and fill till it runs out, just like rears and trannies. No leaking and caked on crud? Must be "empty" :rolleyes: If you have a tank and pump seperate and lines to cylinder, maybe you have a little newer type than what most of mine are. Isn't there a clear tube/line on side of tank as a gauge?

In all of the older dump beds that I drove I never had one with a sight glass of any kind. And yes, the filler was a pipe plug on the cylinder.

thaks for the input. No sight glass on mine, at least that I can see. There is the cylinder which has the hydraulic lines(2) that go to this box. And whats in this box I dont know, but that is where the breather cap is on top of. And if I understand u correctly u are saying that on the cylinder is where the pipe plug is? And if so I'd assume that this would be checked in the horizontal position?

If you have the hydraulic tank seperate from the cylinder I don't think your gonna hve a plug and don't fill it at cyl. I would look down in vent cap and see if you can see the oil if you fill it. Maybe there's a screen over the hole and you can't see inside? Would think you would add oil to the tank up to a mark maybe embossed on side or up to cap or ??? Ever find a Manufactured plate on unit or bed? Need instructions! Ask at a truck accessorie installer that does beds for ideas/suggestions.

looking for further advise on this dump ram...there are some I.D. tagsa with numbers on them. No visible manufacturer name other than the name Chelsea on the knob that is for the pump activation in the cab and the name Thermo King which is on the knob for the PTO. I have looked into the vent cap tube(about 1 1&2" dia) and saw no fluids. My confusion comes from, if I need to add fluids, from the info provided can someone tellme what type fluids should be added? This device is about a 1 square foot cube, with a small diverter valve on the top of it which has the hydraulic lines(2) that go to the ram cylinder. Also the knob in the cab which is marked Chelsea has a cable connection to this valve. Lastly if there is no knowledge re this can some one suggest a link?????? :confused:

You sure Chelsea isn't the PTO cable? That's a brand of PTO, and a good one. Thermo King? Sounds like a refrig unit! Course all these companies could have made controls and cables and installer just used what his shop had. How about names like Garwood or Underwood or something like that. Should be able to buy hydraulic oils at tractor or farm supply stores. It's usually generic and around 10wt. some even use trans fluid for auto trans in cars. You can buy it in 5 gal buckets if you need a lot. Is there a body installer or equipment installer in your area? Call or visit them and talk to parts counter guy. They can maybe help with questions. Drive truck there if it works and drives and Show them.

yea if you have a tank with removable breather cap that is where you would normaly fill it . go get 10 wt. hyd oil crawl under and add 3 or 4 qts and ingage pto close dump valve. raise bed untill it stops moving. disengage pto .
put a long block in the pinch between the bed and frame in case the bed comes down so you don't get cut in half. add a quart at a time and raise the bed more. keep doing that untill the bed reaches the top.
take the block out and lower the bed and reraise the bed and relower to get all the air out. when it raises smooth all the way to the top without sucking air you got her full.
if you over fill it will gush out the breather cap and make a heck of a mess.
WARNING ALLWAYS STAY OUT OF THE PINCH DE DUMP BED WILL REMOVE BODY PARTS

thanks for the help...."as usual wisdom abounds"

To add a bit to what bullfoot said, do not put anything you value between the bed frame and the truck frame. To fill the cylinder, crawl under the truck frame and raise up between the rails. Use a 4x4 or something solid to support the bed, and be sure the bottom end won't slip. We used to use a forklift, but I doubt if you have one handy. This is a job done best with two people for safety's sake.