16t Grain/ silage trailer build

pjamesmk1 · Jul 26, 2020

We are looking into building a grain/ silage trailer ourselves around 16t capacity but short as we have some tight gateways to get in. They are expensive second hand and we thought if were going for new why not build our own to how we want it. This is the size /spec we are thinking -

6.1m long x 1.8m high x 2.3m wide internal dimensions , plus silage extensions ,
tapered body by 15cm. 6mm floor, 4mm sides
250x150 x8mm chassis
single tipping ram 170mm dia
Hydraulic tailboard which locks when closed
Load sensing air/ hydraulic brakes
Flotation tyres 560/45 22.5 tyres
NEW tandem Commercial axles with passive rear steer (step chassis to increase steer angle)
Air suspension (or will this be unstable/ unreliable in the long term?)
Air suspended drawbar (or just leaf spring width ways if not air susp)
Painted in two pack paint

Anyone got any thoughts on the above or what else we should add to the list? We haven't got a huge budget but want to do it right to last us for a long time.

quattro · Jul 26, 2020

45profile tyres may struggle with 16ton if doing much roadwork

Case290 · Jul 26, 2020

Steps at the front to look in

goodevans · Jul 26, 2020

Case290 said:
Steps at the front to look in

Steps in side to get out

pjamesmk1 · Jul 26, 2020

quattro said:
45profile tyres may struggle with 16ton if doing much roadwork

I didn't realise 45s had a lower rating than 60s, was thinking 45s to keep height down. Probably best to make with clearance for 60s to fit.

Matt L · Jul 26, 2020

Twin not single tipping rams Better physics and reduces the risk of damage to the trailer if you overload.
Also, for the extra 250 it would cost fit a waeco ABS unit to save the tyres.

quattro · Jul 26, 2020

I was going to say have the rams facing forward
But you were going to make it a short trailer so maybe no gain

Andrew · Jul 26, 2020

Definitely air suspension if you have air on the tractors.

For grain trailers only I’ve often wondered about ‘hamster pouches’ in body in front of the wheels, so the body wraps around the chassis. Would easily carry 2 cube and therefore reduce length.

Edit. Fairly sure someone on here has built an air suspended drawbar, and had to fit a damper. May even have been Kipper on the old forum? No idea how I remember that or what his name is on here.

Mur Huwcun · Jul 26, 2020

Have you asked a few trailer manufacturers to quote to your spec see where they’re at? They’ll be buying the steel at half the price and you will be wuite shocked how much work and labour goes into it by the end

pjamesmk1 · Jul 26, 2020

Matt L said:
Twin not single tipping rams Better physics and reduces the risk of damage to the trailer if you overload.
Also, for the extra 250 it would cost fit a waeco ABS unit to save the tyres.

ABS a good idea but our tractors haven’t got plugs or can you get a stand alone system?

pjamesmk1 · Jul 26, 2020

Mur Huwcun said:
Have you asked a few trailer manufacturers to quote to your spec see where they’re at? They’ll be buying the steel at half the price and you will be wuite shocked how much work and labour goes into it by the end

No, may ask a few to see but we have built trailer bodies before so know how much work is involved

pail of ale · Jul 27, 2020

Is a 6mm floor and 4 mm sides needed for just grain and silage ?
What kind of frame are you putting under the skip ?
Will it be all mild steel ?
Twin tipping rams spread the load better and reduce skip rigidity requirments imo.
Not meaning to be nosy ,just very interested .

Matt L · Jul 27, 2020

pjamesmk1 said:
ABS a good idea but our tractors haven’t got plugs or can you get a stand alone system?

The units run off the brake light signal in the standard 7pin plug wiring.
Easily enough current available if you have LED lights

Flat 10 · Jul 27, 2020

@damien built one I think

pjamesmk1 · Jul 27, 2020

pail of ale said:
Is a 6mm floor and 4 mm sides needed for just grain and silage ?
What kind of frame are you putting under the skip ?
Will it be all mild steel ?
Twin tipping rams spread the load better and reduce skip rigidity requirments imo.
Not meaning to be nosy ,just very interested .

It will also be used on muck & beet, the idea of thicker sides and floors is so less framework should be needed. I haven't done much designing yet but thinking 250x150x8 chassis, 150x100x8 skip frame, 120x120x5 top rails. Folding the sides in a curve shape to increase capacity slightly and strength. 200mm wide post and floor supports. All mild steel, i would think hardox or high tensile would add a fair bit of cost?
Was thinking single ram as it would tip & drop quicker and use less oil. But agree more stress on frame, i have seen bent chassis on single ram trailer.

Matt L · Jul 27, 2020

pjamesmk1 said:
It will also be used on muck & beet, the idea of thicker sides and floors is so less framework should be needed. I haven't done much designing yet but thinking 250x150x8 chassis, 150x100x8 skip frame, 120x120x5 top rails. Folding the sides in a curve shape to increase capacity slightly and strength. 200mm wide post and floor supports. All mild steel, i would think hardox or high tensile would add a fair bit of cost?
Was thinking single ram as it would tip & drop quicker and use less oil. But agree more stress on frame, i have seen bent chassis on single ram trailer.

Single ram actually uses very similar amount of oil as twins as you need a 5 stage with massive diameter to get the height at the steeper angle. That is also why they overload as the big diameter first stage is more than capable of lifting more than the trailer should take so when overloaded you can lift it and bend something instead of a twin just refusing the lift

Half Pipe · Jul 27, 2020

Matt L said:
Twin not single tipping rams Better physics and reduces the risk of damage to the trailer if you overload.
Also, for the extra 250 it would cost fit a waeco ABS unit to save the tyres.

Where do you get an abs kit for £250

pellow · Jul 27, 2020

Just built a 15 ton body to suit a chassis we had, also put new running gear on and added air brakes, there is 80 hours of paid labour in it and quite a few of my hours, I reckon it will cost £5000, 3mm sides 5mm floor, i think 6 mm floor might be worth doing if you are going to carry stone but 3 mm is ample for sides, if you build the chassis you are going to have to be a very competent fabricator.

fermerboy · Jul 27, 2020

Nothing to add to whats been said but put up plenty of photos of the build if you do it!!

Matt L · Jul 28, 2020

Half Pipe said:
Where do you get an abs kit for £250

It’s only the control module that is that sort of money on top of the rest of the air brake system.

16t Grain/ silage trailer build

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