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16t Grain/ silage trailer build

pjamesmk1

Member
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.
 

Andrew

Never Forgotten
Honorary Member
Location
Huntingdon, UK
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.
 

pjamesmk1

Member
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

Member
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
 
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 .
 

pjamesmk1

Member
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

Member
Trade
Location
Suffolk
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
 

pellow

Member
Location
Newquay
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.
 

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