Tractor air suspension / single point half round end dump

If I have any concerns over iffy ground I'm moving to another spot. Pretty much the only time I will dump the tractor air is when Im going to be popping the tailgate and unloading quickly to keep the bags from over extending or anything as the weight comes off. I mainly haul grains and feed so i tend to be unloading through the coal shoot.

 

I dump tractor air when I dump for the above stated reason. Got 60-70 psi in the bags keeping a proper ride height...then the weight comes off in a hurry, MUCH quicker than the valve will let the pressure out of the system. Basically, they'll push up until something (usually the shocks) limits the extension of the bags, but that is a LOT of pressure stretching those shocks...can't be good for 'em. Once the bed is all of the way up and I'm getting ready to pull forward and let the bed down, I'll flip my switch again to start airing the suspension back up.

 

Hi PB, I did that too. Even dropping a loaded trailer can top out the suspension in a hurry.

 

i view it in this manner-the trailer i pull has a push/pull knob to drop the air bags.it is there for a reason so i use it. i also drop the bags on the tractor just because it seems to provide more stability especially in softer areas. i stay in softer areas 75% of the time.

 

With a frameless, not dumping the bags is a great way to blow one...when all of the weight is put on that 1 axle, the leveling valve is trying to keep the bag inflated enough to keep the trailer at the proper ride height...air pressure exceeds the maximum the bag was designed for and bang. If that bed is up in the air with product still in the nose and only one side bursts, over she goes.

Seriously...how difficult is it to reach up and throw a switch on your dash? There really isn't any good reason to keep the bags aired up, and plenty of reasons to dump them. If I had somebody driving for me and I caught them dumping with the bags inflated, it'd be the last load they hauled in my truck.

I just happened to think...(dangerous, I know)...Why don't they put that leveling valve on the FRONT axle instead of the rear? That way, when you start raising the bed it would automatically dump the air from the bags as the front axle is lifted from the ground? In theory, it should work...then again, getting out and flipping the switches is a great way to put eyeballs on the ground you're dumping on to make sure it is level and solid enough to hold firm while you're dumping. Heck, still would have to unlatch the gate, though...and so as long as the switches are next to each other, it isn't like it is a tough chore to accomplish. 6 of one, half dozen the other, I guess...

 

I teed into the tractor dump valve and plumbed it to the trailer. I always dump both. This makes it simple 1 switch and both units deflate.

 

Do the same principles apply to a framed dump? Especially a short (24' ) framed. Should I be dumping my tractor bags?

 

Hi Mattnatti, yes, think of it like sitting on one of those big exercise balls.