Dump truck tailgate tricks???

[Tackettr]

After I got my M817 home, my dad and I was just standing around looking at it and wondered. How to you get the tailgate from the "rocker" mode to the "normal" swing open mode? I'm not talking about, pull the pins, push up the gate, and put in pins. How did soldiers in the field do it, the tailgate looks heavy! Do you raise the bed and use 2-3 guys? Use a come-along? Loader? What are the tricks? Thanks in advance.

 

[M1075]

The most important thing when adjusting the tailgate is to not drop it on your head or even the ground. It is a heavy lift from the ground back up. Ask me how I know!

 

[Tackettr]

That's what I afraid of!!!

PS: Don't you have some returns to work on???

 

[M813A1]

HI Tackettr !! We use to raise the gate up by hand !! , First Do Not open the lower door latch. all you have to do is push up on the gate gate in the middle should take ( 2 or 3 guys), my need a hammer to get it to move up out of the the wing ends !! rotate up inthe the upper hinge points and then put the pins in . rotate the wing to the side and hook them back !!

 

[Tackettr]

M813A1: Does it help to raise the bed or not? Looks like one guy would have to be tall to put the pins in!

 

[M813A1]

Hi ya it does help a little but if you got a loader it should be a breeze to rotate the gate up into the dump gate position !!! more time then not we used or dumps with the gate down on the wings !! Joe and I have to find a tailgate for the Dump he and I are getting !!

 

[goldneagle]

Pictures would make it easier to understand.

 

[Tackettr]

One picture of the tailgate up or what I call "Normal".

The other is in the "Rocker" position, using the "wings".

For the "Spreader" position, it is in the up or normal position but when you open it at the bottom it is limited by the chain to your desired amount.

Man Westfolk is quik on the draw!

 

[BEASTMASTER]

well, i'll tell ya, i'll be 60 yrs old in dec. am 6'1" and weigh 215 lds. and i just get under the gate and give it a good heave -ho, and most of the time you do need a hammer to drive the pins in.

 

[derby]

That is how I do mine. Yah it is heavy, just stay clear if it get's away.

 

[DaveP]

I change my gate around by myself all the time.

its not that heavy just keep any body parts that you want to keep out of the way.

 

[CGarbee]

I'm like the other guys who just muscle it around... Maybee that why I get up in the morning and go do my PM still... I also keep a small sledge in the toolbox as it helps to unstick the pins (and it's part of my tire changing gear that I keep in hand just in case...).

I think my ratio of "do it by hand" to "use the loader bucket" is about twenty to one...

The Operator's Manual has great illustrations showing how to rig the tailgate for various loading/unloading operations.

The photos and video above are great.

Good luck.

 

[5tonpuller]

the next truck I get ( want ) is a dumper. If she will let me have one. LOL