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Post by Beerwiser on Oct 31, 2021 21:00:09 GMT -6
There is a 94 lead trailer coming up at a sale near me that I would like to use for coal. It looks pretty rusty and has the enclosed ends on it. Any tips on what to look for with the rust and structural damage? Not worried about brakes etc, that can be dealt with much easier. Thanks
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Post by meskie on Oct 31, 2021 21:04:29 GMT -6
Look at the frame just behind where the hopper sits along with the cross members above the suspension. We had a set of 2000s that had started to crack in that area. Hoppers are likely getting thin around the supports or anywhere the sheets overlap on the slope. Otherwise they are fairly bullet proof.
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Post by northernfarmer on Oct 31, 2021 22:50:38 GMT -6
If its only the lead I have to wonder what the pup is like and why its not there. I haven't had anything to do with Super B's so can't comment on that aspect but for example a neighbour has a Doepker tandem trailer that would be from the later 90's and he had bought it new. I happened to be near it this fall and noticed a huge hole in the outside face of the tube frame rail near the front where the front slope would pass up behind the frame towards the front. In fact it would be just behind the dollies. That was scary to see and if its that bad there, its going to be bad all over within the frame and no doubt be on the list of trailers that may one day sooner then later split in half or maybe right there at the dollies fail. That is the crappy part about steel trailers, they rust if put on winter roads and boy can they go down hill. Obviously the goal you have in mind isn't to use it much and if you don't pay much for it, it may be a viable solution.
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Post by Albertabuck on Nov 1, 2021 7:56:20 GMT -6
Beer is that a wide or narrow top trailer? Can't remember when they made the switch. And assuming Btrain? As NF mentioned, look for rust out of the bottom rectangular frame members and also the members supporting the fifth wheel plate and where they are welded on. Check if the rear one side to side is bowed upwards. All those rectangular tubes collected moisture and rot thru from the inside. Also some had an extra flat plate added on the inside of the trailer bottom side members at the front like above where the drives would be and they rusted horribly between the two. And also as Meskie mentioned above the suspension.
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Post by Beerwiser on Nov 1, 2021 12:29:27 GMT -6
Thanks guys, going to check it out later today. All I am concerned with is it not breaking in half. AB, what do you mean by wide or narrow top? Looks like any other grain trailer I have pulled. I will get some pictures too as the ones on the website suck. I am hoping to get it less than a grand. Since I am interested in it, you all know how the story goes 🙄.
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Post by northernfarmer on Nov 1, 2021 13:30:46 GMT -6
In case AB doesn't see your question in time, you know how some brands of grain trailer back in the early years and not sure if that went a ways into the 1980s or what but they had a narrow top opening with a narrow tarp and then I believe a full length walkway on the side opposite where the tarp rolls back. I am guessing but would say more than likely when they came out with the triple axle Super B they never made them with the narrow top or a while before the B train ended production. Here is a photo that shows a bit of what I am referring to but didn't find a view from standing on the walkway ( in a way its a similar idea to rail cars ). While not as handy as to the width of the opening for obvious reasons, the fact they had a narrow tarp ( less material ) and a walk way to get on top and push the snow off with a push broom, it had its good points as well in that sense.
1979 DOEPKER B-TRAIN GRAIN TRAILERS
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Post by Albertabuck on Nov 1, 2021 20:35:59 GMT -6
Thanks NF. Yea Beer the narrow top is this style. Lead in first, one of the pups in second. And yea mine got steel lids instead of tarps. The narrow opening kind of a PITA to completely fill, especially with anything over 8 inches, as you need to work it down into the corner of the side. The lids make that a bit easier as you can pile it up against the one standing and level things off afterwards. I think they made both styles for a while. The narrow top were also taller, thus allowing a shorter length. My A train lead is only 32 feet but holds 1200 bu plus by volume. With the little Cornbinder, I can legally scale over 25 tonne net with 50lb barley.
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Post by Beerwiser on Nov 1, 2021 22:29:05 GMT -6
Ok, yeah I know what you are talking about the narrow top. Haven't seen too many lately and actually forgot about them. So anyhow, this thing is rusty. A third of the hoppers are lined with puck board and still could use some more. For coal I don't really care. The interesting part is where the drives sit. They have a I beam on the back of the kingpin that ties into the rectangular tubing that was mentioned. Anything past the I beam is NFG almost to where the hopper starts. I would be scared to hit it too hard pinning up as it is already bowed. 18 or so miles to get it home, sitting a 600 bucks. Not sure how much f*cking around there would be to get it road worthy for a 30 mile trip one way once a year. Pictures are from the drives area on the left, inside and out. I forgot the auction link earlier too. allenbolson.nextlot.com/public/sales/94077/lots/19784402
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Post by Albertabuck on Nov 1, 2021 22:30:40 GMT -6
Had trouble editing my posts tonight, not sure why. Got thinking about it, looked up a pic I had, I was wrong, was over 26 tonne lol
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Post by Albertabuck on Nov 1, 2021 22:33:30 GMT -6
Holy shit Beer, walk away, no I am wrong, RUN. Thats more trouble and work than its worth. I have never seen one that bad.
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Post by Beerwiser on Nov 1, 2021 22:33:53 GMT -6
I don't know why you would have a problem editing AB, I just fixed mine. If this thing held 22T I would be happy, one trip a year for coal.
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Post by Beerwiser on Nov 1, 2021 22:36:28 GMT -6
Bahaha AB, thanks for the laugh and insight. It does have unloading augers too. Although anything more than feathers, I am pretty sure it will unload itself.
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Post by Albertabuck on Nov 1, 2021 22:41:49 GMT -6
I'd be scared to even try to pull it home. And if a guy got stopped, ouch. I guess thats part of my theory on it lol
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Post by meskie on Nov 1, 2021 22:46:58 GMT -6
I wouldn’t even think about taking that anywhere but the scrap yard. Putting a load on it could be dangerous.
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Post by Beerwiser on Nov 1, 2021 22:57:12 GMT -6
I agree completely with both of you. I am pretty pissed off with Allan B Olson auctions, you would think they would post pictures of major problems like this has. Looking at some of the other stuff on the lot and what I seen of the online pictures this is a common theme to their sales. Truely a buyer beware auction service. As much as RB pisses me off as of late, at least they have the decency to show problems online.
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