Spring-Loaded Endgate Lifter

Spring-Loaded Endgate Lifter TRUCKS Miscellaneous 18-6-37 The endgates on livestock trucks are often hard to lift because they're so heavy. We solved the problem by building a spring-loaded endgate lifter that bolts onto the back and sides of the truck. It lets me raise or lower the endgate using only one hand. The lifter consists of a 2-in. sq. steel tube that rides inside a pair of 2-in. dia. round pipe "hinges". A 1-ft. long spring mounts on a short steel arm that's attached to one end of the tube. The spring bolts onto the side of the truck and is equipped with a threaded bolt that's used to adjust spring tension. To open the endgate, you put your toe under the ramp and flip the gate up until it's waist high, then raise the gate the rest of the way by hand. The pipe hinges are welded to a pair of flat steel plates that bolt onto the endgate. Brackets are used to bolt the square tube to the drop gate, allowing it to be slid over sideways if the truck is backed up to a chute. I built several of them in the 1970's until many farmers started using fifth wheel trailers instead of trucks to haul livestock. That spoiled my plan to market them. But some stockmen still use big trucks to haul livestock. I'd put together plans for anyone interested. (Eldon Kerns, Kerns Shop, 529 W Nesbitt, Goldendale, Wash. 98620 ph 509 773-5351)

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