Can i make chipper truck out of a 85 c20

[honesttree17]

I have my own small tree company and one of my other tree buddies i help out sometimes gave me an old 1980s chevy c20 6.2 diesel truck. He had got it from a customer, he didn't know if it ran but i got it running today! So i have a chipper already (it needs some work) but i was wondering if it makes sence to make a chipper truck out of it or could i just blow the chips in the back of the bed. Does any body have any advice or ideas...

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

Are chips heavy? It's a 6 or 8 lug truck?

 

[honesttree17]

8

 

[Tenderfoot]

I would not. The C20s wont take the weight of chips, those things are pretty heavy.

 

[Luztree]

I would not. The C20s wont take the weight of chips, those things are pretty heavy.

500 pounds a yard

 

[Tenderfoot]

500 pounds a yard

What does a dump bed weigh, ya think? 1200 lbs for one give or take with hydraulics and sides? I don't know the payload of a C20 offhand, but after driver, fuel, random tools, mud and you wont be able to carry many chips.

 

[computeruser]

You are going to be limited by weight. You certainly can put some chips in there while also towing a smaller (6" capacity, say) chipper. But with a proper dump body and a 9"+ chipper, even a 3500 dual rear wheel is going to be at or over capacity.

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

What does a dump bed weigh, ya think? 1200 lbs for one give or take with hydraulics and sides? I don't know the payload of a C20 offhand, but after driver, fuel, random tools, mud and you wont be able to carry many chips.

Just the dump hoist is about 600lbs. The bed another 2000-3000lbs, depending on size and how it's built.

Not sure on weight rating. My c&c C30 hauls 4-5 tons without any fuss.

 

[Tenderfoot]

Just the dump hoist is about 600lbs. The bed another 2000-3000lbs, depending on size and how it's built.

Not sure on weight rating. My c&c C30 hauls 4-5 tons without any fuss.

That sounds a bit high for a pickup sized bed to me. Never really bothered to weight a chip box, so what do I know. I see a lot of trucks running around with converted mason dumps too, which I know weigh about that.

 

[ChoppyChoppy]

I was talking about a standard 8x12ft bed. I wouldn't bother with anything smaller myself.

 

[Tenderfoot]

That size truck will not fit in a lot of residential lots. A lot of companies I know locally have big & small (1 ton vs medium duty) chip trucks since the medium duty ones will not fit into the residential driveways.

 

[pro94lt]

Payload aside have you drove the 6.2? They are dogs!