Have you just purchased a Hydraulic Tipper Kit – or maybe you are considering your next build or upgrade? While every build is different, there are only four simple steps to install your kit.
Still need help deciding on a kit? Check out our guide on How to Choose a Hydraulic Cylinder Kit.
Step 1: Mounting the Ram
While every hydraulic installation will be different due to both the layout/design of your frame, and your unique tipping requirements, general principals can be applied to determine the best position to mount your hydraulic cylinder.
The three most important factors when installing your hydraulic ram are:
Ram Stroke Length
Mounting Position
Tipping Angle
These three measurements interact to determine how your tipper will function.
To determine where to mount your ram, you will need your ram stroke length (need help deciding? Read more here), and to decide on what tipping angle you are after with your new build.
On the trailers that we build at basic trailers, as a general rule, we aim for a 40-degree tilt on our trailers, which means we mount our rams approximately 150mm forward from centre.
It is also important to take into account the structure of your chassis, and to mount in a position with sufficient structural strength. Always confirm your mounting points work before permanently mounting the ram.
Every trailer is different, so best judgement and understanding of your specific needs is required for any installation or modification.
Step 2: Mounting the Hydraulics
Once the Ram is mounted, the next step is to mount the Hydraulic Pump and Tank Unit.
This unit needs to be mounted securely, and the included bracket be installed to support the pump.
It is important that this is mounted in an easily accessible area. This ensures that the wired remote is always easy to grab, the emergency release valve can be accessed, and any maintenance can be performed.
We recommend that these are placed inside a waterproof enclosure, to prevent damage and prolong its life. We typically suggest mounting these in a toolbox on the drawbar of the trailer, or another secure location. This also provides a safe mounting position for any battery power source required for operation.
Do not place any other lose items in this enclosure, especially those made from conductive material, as this can damage the hydraulic unit, or cause an electrical short if contact is made with the terminals.
For hydraulic units mounted in trickier spots, consider adding in a wireless remote to the system.
Step 3: Running The Hydraulic Line
After installing both the ram, and hydraulic tank & motor, a hydraulic hose is required to carry the hydraulic fluid from the tank into the ram.
These are available as an optional addon in every kit, or own their own, with your choice of 1650mm[LINK], 1950mm[LINK], and 2250mm[LINK] lengths.
Secure the hose to the underside of the chassis, ensuring it does not king, snag, lay against any sharp surfaces, or lay against any moving bodies (suspension components, tipper body, ram pivot points itself).
You will also need to ensure that the hose is allowed enough movement so that normal operation will not cause any strain or stress.
Connect the included nipples to either side of the hose, and connect one end of the hose to the outlet on the pump, and the other to the outlet on the arm of the ram. (Pictured above)
Step 4: Wiring the Pump
Now that the main components are mounted, and connected, the pump needs power. Please ensure that you are practicing safe electrical standards whenever you are dealing with electricity.
The wiring process is straightforward, the pump requiring only a positive wire and a negative wire.
Under full load, these units can draw approximately 200 amps. Ensure that Heavy gauge wiring is used.
We recommend using a heavy-duty deep cycle battery, however alternate setups, such as connecting to a vehicle, is also possible. We use a Supercharge MFM50 640CCA 80A/H Deep cycle battery.
When oriented as pictured:
Connect the positive power source to the righthand solenoid terminal.
Connect the negative power source to the the righthand electric motor terminal.
The system is now live and powered. Ensure that any battery power sources are kept charged/maintained.
Step 5: Filling The Hydraulic System
Once wired, the system can be filled with hydraulic fluid. We use and recommend Masterlube 46, however depending on your typical operational temperatures, alternate viscosities may be preferred.
Unscrew the red cap, and fill the tank.
Our hydraulic kits are self-bleeding systems, keep the fluid on hand and fully action the tipper up and down a few times, refilling after each.
There may still be some air present in the system, however this well be bled during normal operation over the next week.
Your Trailer Kit is now installed and fully functional!
Using Your Tipper
Operation is simple, press ‘Up’ on the wired remote to raise the ram, and ‘Down’ for it to lower.
The red manual release valve will manually lower the tipper. This ensures that in an event the trailer/tray is in a raised position when a loss of power occurs, the vehicle can still be returned to a transportable position.
