Dump Trailers Equipment

Question: Do belly dump trailers need hydraulic for the belly to dump?

(Posted by: Brian on 2008-05-19 23:01:50)

I was wondering if belly dumps use hydraulic or air to open the belly of the trailers. Anyone no that would be awesome. I think the new ones run on air. Real answers please!

Posted by: Wired for Sound on 2008-05-20, 00:50:15

You are correct... most of the newer trailers operate with compressed air. You have a complete air system already on the truck.. for brakes and suspension, so why not utilize a system that will cost nothing to make it functional. If you went with hydraulics, you would have to put a PTO pump, tank and all the lines in to make it function and for a belly dump, it's not necessary. If you are talking end dump, then yes, you will need the hydraulic system to raise the trailer bed up, but to just open the doors on the bottom of a belly dump, air is more than sufficiant. Hope this helps.....

Posted by: ifoyo on 2008-05-19, 23:12:33

Used to be a hand crank. Then hydraulics came along. A great invention. Hydraulics probably can be run by air. But electrical gear driven hydraulic motors sure work well.