A live bottom trailer is a semi-trailer used for hauling loose material such as asphalt, grain, potatoes, sand and gravel. A live bottom trailer is the alternative to a dump truck or an end dump trailer. The typical live bottom trailer has a conveyor belt on the bottom of the trailer tub that pushes the material out of the back of the trailer at a controlled pace. Unlike the conventional dump truck, the tub does not have to be raised to deposit the materials.
The live bottom trailer is powered by a hydraulic system. When the operator engages the truck hydraulic system, it activates the conveyor belt, moving the load horizontally out of the back trailer.
UsesEdit
Live bottom trailers can haul a variety of products including gravel, potatoes, top soil, grain, carrots, sand, lime, peat moss, asphalt, compost, rip-rap, heavy rocks, biowaste, etc. Those who work in industries such as the agriculture and construction benefit from the speed of unloading, versatility of the trailer and chassis mount.
SafetyEdit
The live bottom trailer eliminates trailer roll over because the tub does not have to be raised in the air to unload the materials. The trailer has a lower centre of gravity which makes it easy for the trailer to unload in an uneven area, compared to dump trailers that have to be on level ground to unload. Overhead electrical wires are a danger for the conventional dump trailer during unloading, but with a live bottom, wires are not a problem. The trailer can work anywhere that it can drive into because the tub does not have to be raised for unloading.
AdvantagesEdit
The tub empties clean, making it easier for different materials to be transported without having to get inside the tub to clean it out. The conveyor belt allows the material to be dumped at a controlled pace so that the material can be partially unloaded where it is needed. The rounded tub results in a lower centre of gravity which means a smoother ride and better handling than other trailers. Working under bridges and in confined areas is easier with a live bottom as opposed to a dump trailer because it can fit anywhere it can drive. Wet or dry materials can be hauled in a live bottom trailer.
In a dump truck, wet materials stick in the top of the tub during unloading and causes trailer roll over. Insurance costs are lower for a live bottom trailer because it does not have to be raised in the air and there are few cases of trailer roll over.
DisadvantagesEdit
Some live bottom trailers are not well suited for heavy rock and demolition. However rip-rap, heavy rock, and asphalt can be hauled if built with the appropriate strength steels.
See alsoEdit
Moving floor, a hydraulically driven conveyance system also used in semi-trailers
External linksEdit
U.S. Patent 2,165,507
August 28, 2023
live, bottom, trailer, live, bottom, trailer, semi, trailer, used, hauling, loose, material, such, asphalt, grain, potatoes, sand, gravel, live, bottom, trailer, alternative, dump, truck, dump, trailer, typical, live, bottom, trailer, conveyor, belt, bottom, t. A live bottom trailer is a semi trailer used for hauling loose material such as asphalt grain potatoes sand and gravel A live bottom trailer is the alternative to a dump truck or an end dump trailer The typical live bottom trailer has a conveyor belt on the bottom of the trailer tub that pushes the material out of the back of the trailer at a controlled pace Unlike the conventional dump truck the tub does not have to be raised to deposit the materials A live bottom trailerA live bottom trailerThis article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations November 2016 Learn how and when to remove this template message Contents 1 Operation 2 Uses 3 Safety 4 Advantages 5 Disadvantages 6 See also 7 External linksOperation EditThe live bottom trailer is powered by a hydraulic system When the operator engages the truck hydraulic system it activates the conveyor belt moving the load horizontally out of the back trailer Uses EditLive bottom trailers can haul a variety of products including gravel potatoes top soil grain carrots sand lime peat moss asphalt compost rip rap heavy rocks biowaste etc Those who work in industries such as the agriculture and construction benefit from the speed of unloading versatility of the trailer and chassis mount Safety EditThe live bottom trailer eliminates trailer roll over because the tub does not have to be raised in the air to unload the materials The trailer has a lower centre of gravity which makes it easy for the trailer to unload in an uneven area compared to dump trailers that have to be on level ground to unload Overhead electrical wires are a danger for the conventional dump trailer during unloading but with a live bottom wires are not a problem The trailer can work anywhere that it can drive into because the tub does not have to be raised for unloading Advantages EditThe tub empties clean making it easier for different materials to be transported without having to get inside the tub to clean it out The conveyor belt allows the material to be dumped at a controlled pace so that the material can be partially unloaded where it is needed The rounded tub results in a lower centre of gravity which means a smoother ride and better handling than other trailers Working under bridges and in confined areas is easier with a live bottom as opposed to a dump trailer because it can fit anywhere it can drive Wet or dry materials can be hauled in a live bottom trailer In a dump truck wet materials stick in the top of the tub during unloading and causes trailer roll over Insurance costs are lower for a live bottom trailer because it does not have to be raised in the air and there are few cases of trailer roll over Disadvantages EditSome live bottom trailers are not well suited for heavy rock and demolition However rip rap heavy rock and asphalt can be hauled if built with the appropriate strength steels See also EditMoving floor a hydraulically driven conveyance system also used in semi trailersExternal links EditU S Patent 2 165 507 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Live bottom trailer amp oldid 1150695261, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
