Hand-pumped M101 hydro ram dump

[Ratch]

I'm thinking about converting an M101 to hydraulic ram dump instead of the not-quite-designed built in dump method. I'm going to run over to Harbor Freight today and see what I can piece together with a simple hand-pump 24" hydraulic ram to lift the frame from the drawbar.
Such as this:
8 Ton Super Heavy Duty Long Ram Hydraulic Flat Bottom Jack


From the searches i've done, it looks like the hydro-dump conversion has only been done with M105's and fairly elaborate power setup's.
My goal's are:
-stay half-ton tow vehicle
-be self-contained (no power needed)
-dump while connected to TV or not
-more precise control of dump angle
-stability while tilted
-dump regardless of load position in bed
This would let me pull the trailer while tilted, and have it tilt all the way to the ground if I want to winch a motorcycle/quad/etc up without ramps.

I was thinking I'd add a crossmember at the drawbar to support the bottom of the jack, and a U-bracket bolted to the front of the box frame for the top of the rod. It would be the same as the current dump method, but with a ram instead of vehicle power.

Any thoughts for/against this approach?

 

[Donald Poppell]

Sounds Great.

Cant's wait to see how it turns out.
Post pictures and details please as it comes along.

 

[porkysplace]

If you plan on dumping unhooked you better plan on legs in the rear , when that load shifts to the rear the tongue will be straight up in the air without them.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Getting the bed to dump is one thing, getting it to stay in place while moving is another. Say you have it tilted up and pull forward. When the dirt or rock shifts to the rear of the trailer, what will keep it from tilting up more?

 

[porkysplace]

Also a 24" ram would need be mount 2/3's of the way to the back to lift the box to angle that would dump .Semi dump trailers that use a front mount cylinder, use a multi stage that is nearly equal to the length of the trailer to raise it to a angle it will actually dump the load .