Pivotal Edge Air Hatch

Got one of these on my trailer a month or so ago. I really like it and, so far, no issues.

It’s air operated using the trailer reserve tank and the lid slides open. But, It can also be flipped up manually after opening for cleaning so you don’t have to remove the lid to clean it. And, it reduces load time more than I anticipated.

It’s still early on, but so far looks like a winner.

 

Pivotal Edge

Website has pics.

 

Will do!

Since they are a sliding hatch, they’re kind of self cleaning, but I still sweep mine with the provided broom at the fly ash plant (they’re messy there, lol).

 

I only have to go up there at the fly ash plant. The reason is because their spout doesn’t go into the opening like everywhere else, and it makes a mess.

 

Update:

The unit is still on my thumbs up list. It does, however, have a flaw. The self cleaning aspect (when the lid slides back into the closed position) doesn’t really work that well.

If you don’t keep the flat surface cleaned off, the build up will cause the lid not close all the way because it’s not under strong enough air pressure.

The manufacturer has a retrofit that one of our guys is trying out. It has stronger air pressure and a better self cleaning guide (when the lid is closing).

p.s. I had a loaner trailer the past couple of days (got new air bags on mine) and it had the manual lid.

Even with having to keep the flat surface super clean, I still MUCH prefer the air lid on my trailer.

I’ve polled most of our drivers (we have about 25). Most prefer the air lid. Some don’t care one way or the other. I did run across one that prefers the manual lid.

 

UPDATE 2:

I’ve changed my opinion a little on the air hatch. I still like it, but I think I’ve found a better option.

I’ve started loading at a new place and my truck (Pete 379) won’t fit on the scale with the center hatch under the spout so they have me open the front hatch Instead.

The front hatch is manual and has never been touched. It’s bone dry, no one has ever sprayed or applied grease, lubricators, etc... to the hinges.

It works FLAWLESS! I’ve loaded probably 25 loads in it. They don’t have a wash rack either so none of that. Just load and go and let the wind blow off any risidual.

Bottom line, if I owned my rig, I would just stick with the manual hatch, but would NEVER put anything on it nor go through a wash rack. Just keep that thing bone dry.

In fact, I’m going to ask the boss man if I can have my manual hatch back.

That said, if you have bad knees, hate climbing up the gantry, etc... the air hatch is a good option. Like I said, I like the air hatch. But you still have to clean that thing about once every other week or so because it gets guncked up and won’t close all the way if you don’t.

I don’t really know why it keeps doing it because I quit running it through wash racks thinking it would quit getting buildup, but it still does.

One trick I did learn was once you’re empty, leave your pressure on 5 and release the pressure valve on the air hatch instead of the blow down. That way it’ll blow a lot of crap out from under the hatch.