Abstract: An apparatus for improving the stability of a payload of granular material loaded onto the bed of a vehicle that will traverse at least one grade is disclosed. The bed of the vehicle may be coupled to a hoist mechanism which may be linked to a controller with a memory for entering a value for the grade the vehicle may traverse while carrying the payload on the bed. The controller may send a signal to the hoist mechanism to tilt the bed to a tilted position having an angle about the value of the grade. An optional tilt support mechanism may be used to engage and support the bed after the bed has been tilted by the hoist mechanism to support the bed in the tilted position while the bed is loaded with the granular material. The hoist mechanism can be used to move the bed back to the horizontal position after the payload has been deposited on the bed.

Abstract: An apparatus for improving the stability of a payload of granular material loaded onto the bed of a vehicle that will traverse at least one grade is disclosed. The bed of the vehicle may be coupled to a hoist mechanism which may be linked to a controller with a memory for entering a value for the grade the vehicle may traverse while carrying the payload on the bed. The controller may send a signal to the hoist mechanism to tilt the bed to a tilted position having an angle about the value of the grade. An optional tilt support mechanism may be used to engage and support the bed after the bed has been tilted by the hoist mechanism to support the bed in the tilted position while the bed is loaded with the granular material. The hoist mechanism can be used to move the bed back to the horizontal position after the payload has been deposited on the bed.