Abstract: A hoist capable of raising and lowering a truck bed to and from a truck frame. In certain example embodiments, a scissor-type hoist having a hydraulic cylinder base pivot located to improve hoist lift efficiency.

Abstract: A hydraulic system useful in combination with a hoist for raising or lowering a truck bed to and from a truck frame, including safely and controllably lowering said truck bed to said truck frame by gravity alone, is provided.

Abstract: A hydraulic system useful in combination with a hoist for raising or lowering a truck bed to and from a truck frame, including safely and controllably lowering said truck bed to said truck frame by gravity alone, is provided.

Abstract: A hoist, for example, capable of use for raising and lowering a truck bed to and from a truck frame. In certain embodiments, a scissor-type hoist having a hydraulic cylinder pivot located to improve hoist lift efficiency (e.g., thereby exhibiting improved hoist lift capabilities).

Abstract: A hoist capable of raising and lowering a truck bed to and from a truck frame. In certain example embodiments, a scissor-type hoist having a hydraulic cylinder base pivot located to improve hoist lift efficiency.

Abstract: A hoist, for example, capable of use for raising and lowering a truck bed to and from a truck frame. In certain embodiments, a scissor-type hoist having a hydraulic cylinder pivot located to improve hoist lift efficiency (e.g., thereby exhibiting improved hoist lift capabilities).

Abstract: A dual acting underbody truck bed hoist is provided which exhibits increased lifting efficiency and safety. The hoist, in some embodiments, further includes an alignment of its various pivots and booster arm so as to maximize the height achieved during initial lifting to the breakaway point with the dump bed.

Abstract: A dual acting underbody truck bed hoist is provided with a self-latching mechanism for preventing rebound if a maneuver is attempted by the truck operator to jar hung up dirt from the bed when raised. The hoist further includes an alignment of its various pivots and booster arm so as to maximize the height achieved during initial lifting to the breakaway point with the dump bed.

Abstract: A dual acting underbody truck bed hoist is provided with a self-latching mechanism for preventing rebound if a maneuver is attempted by the truck operator to jar hung up dirt from the bed when raised. The hoist further includes an alignment of its various pivots and booster arm so as to maximize the height achieved during initial lifting to the breakaway point with the dump bed.

Abstract: A dual acting underbody truck bed hoist is provided which exhibits increased lifting efficiency and safety. The hoists in some embodiments, further includes an alignment of its various pivots and booster arm so as to maximize the height achieved during initial lifting to the breakaway point with the dump bed.

Abstract: A hoist for raising and lowering a truck bed to and from a truck frame is provided which utilizes a lever to accomplish initial lift and to further position the hydraulic cylinder at a more efficient angle for completion of the lift process. The hoist further provides a locking device to immobilize the lever and one end of the hydraulic cylinder during certain phases of the raising and lowering cycle, improving safety and stability in the dump bed raising and lowering process.

Abstract: A dump truck body capable of dumping to either the right or left side or to the rear of the truck. The truck further includes a sand, salt or gravel spreader fed by a longitudinal auger running longitudinally from the front to rear of the truck body on either the left or right-hand side. The auger is fed by the side tilting of the dump body. The overall height of the truck is maintained at a minimum while in operation through the utilization of side-tilted spreading, as opposed to rearward-tilted spreading.

Abstract: A hoist mechanism is provided that includes a first and a second lifting arm connected at a first pivot point, a hydraulic cylinder connected to said lifting arms, and a stop located on one end of the second lifting arm. During the initial lifting of the hoist mechanism the first arm remains stationary as the second lifting arm rotates around the first pivot point. The hoist mechanism functions in this manner until the two lifting arms reach a predetermined angle with each other. When the lifting arms reach this angle, the stop acts to convert the action of the hoist mechanism into that resembling a scissors hoist, with both lifting arms rotating, as the hoist mechanism is further extended. The hoist mechanism is designed such that the effective length of the second lifting arm is constantly increasing as the second lifting arm rotates from the rest position to the predetermined angle.

Abstract: A hoist mechanism that more effectively uses its hydraulic capacity is comprised of a first and a second pair of lifting arms connected at a first pivot point, a hydraulic cylinder connected to said lifting arms, and a pivoting stop means that coordinates movement of the two pair of lift arms. During the initial lifting action of the hoist, the mechanism achieves the advantages of a double arm type hoist by causing the first pair of lifting arms to remain stationary while the second pair of lifting arms rotates around the first pivot point. After the second pair of lift arms reach a predetermined angle with the stationary first pair, the stop means are engaged in a way to cause both pair of lift arms to move upon further lifting action of the hoist, thus achieving the advantages of a scissors type hoist from this point on.

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle for hauling and dispensing grain of the type which includes a grain body and underbelly dispensing gates in the body. Each underbelly dispensing gate rotates about its own central shaft actuated by a detented lever mechanism. The portion of the gate which must move upward to open the gate and initiate dispensing is overshadowed by a convex member which provides a cavity vacant of grain thereby allowing the gate to be opened even when the body is filled with grain.

Abstract: A brace for supporting a dump body of a vehicle including means for attaching the brace to a long sill of the body, means for supporting the weight of the body on the vehicle chassis, shaft means rotatably attaching the support means to the attaching means, means for retaining the support means on the long sill of the body and means normally biasing said retaining means into engagement with the long sill of the body. The brace is lowered into position by pulling against the biasing means until the retaining means are disengaged from the body long sill and rotating the brace to its down position. The brace is raised by pulling against the bias, rotating the brace to its retained position and allowing the biasing means to lock the brace into position.

Abstract: Apparatus for changing bodies on a vehicle includes a long beam platform pivotally connected at its rearward end to that of the vehicle chassis, a hoist to pivot the platform and a pair of hydraulic cylinder winches having a set of multiwrap sheaves at either end and mounted to both sides of the platform. The sheaves are multiwrapped with a cable secured at one end and securable to the truck body at the other end. The cylinders extend in the direction of loading to maximize travel efficiency and eliminate the need for an idler sheave. Retractable locking means are provided on the platform for locking the body into place. By operation of the hoist and winches, the vehicle body may be quickly and safely mounted onto or demounted from the platform whether loaded or unloaded.