Hi folks! Doing some research on my soon to be purchased, Suzuki Carry, with a dump bed. Does anyone have life experience with a Light dump, as in hauling sand and gravel? I'm wondering if the light dump would handle it, or should a person hold out for a heavy dump? The heavy has a scissors style lift, which is definitely a better design. I'll be using it for general work around the ranch, bur occasional loads of aggregate would play into the mix. Will the light dump handle it once in a while, and dump well? Thanks for advice and opinions! Mike
My Hijet is a lift-tipper, and I’m extremely happy with the choice. For just using around a property, I think it makes a lot more sense than a dedicated dumper. The dedicated dumpers have a bit more weight capacity. But are a lot less adaptable. That said, I’m toying with welding up a set of sides, and a tailgate, so I can regulate the flow of materials out of the back.
I just sold my Mazda Scrum ,which is just a re-badged Carry, and while I had it I first put on the dump system from a Mitsubishi that I had earlier and it worked great. Later on I had a chance to buy a Hijet that was pretty much beat but it had the dump/scissor lift in good condition. This was the best of all worlds. At first I used the hydraulic system from the Mits. but a solenoid went out and I couldn't find a replacement so I went with a 12 volt system similar to what Woody uses on his conversions and it worked fine. The only reason I sold it was that I got old and arthritis made it too hard to get in and out of and I needed power steering.The neighbor I sold it to thinks he won the lottery, he loves it.
Good info, thanks! My main concern is the geometry of the lift cylinder on the "light" dumps. It just doesn't look right for lifting a heavy load. I may buy one, as there are many more available, and in much nicer condition, than the used "heavy dumps". I can always add the scissor style lift, and reinforce the bed later, myself.
Any of the factory systems will be properly designed, work well for years, with normal maintenance. Aftermarket systems designed by some guy who knows how to weld, an has some understanding of hydraulics, can be a bit iffy.
My original post referred to the difference between the light and heavy dump setups. They added the scissor lift and large cylinder for a reason. It lifts from a different location on the bed for a reason. I wasn't advocating "designing" a new system, but substituting one for the other. I've been building wreckers and dumps for over 40 years, it's not rocket science, but it is physics. It just seems, when buying a used truck, the light dumps are in nicer shape, for the most part, so converting one is what I will do.
57 Ranch I am in a similar position, I want a dump bed but truck with factory dump are usually more beat up. The importer is looking for both model for me. Another nice feature of the heavy dump is the automatic tailgate opening with the bottom latch of the tail gate that open and close automatically. If I end up with a light duty dump I want to add a reinforcement frame to the bed and to the frame of the truck. I looked to build a scissor mechanism but will probably use a straight cylinder with a hydraulic unit. I am also planning to design a similar auto-closing feature if I end up with a light duty bed.
Being that the light dump tailgate is removable, it's probably not too big a deal, since we're only talking a 750lb. load to begin with. I think I could live with that.
I got a heavy dump and I love it having issues with bogging down at the moment but work wise it’s awesome. I’ve had around 1400lbs of clay in it and it moved and dumped it like a pro. I moved 20 tons of item 4 in one day with it.