Ledwell Team In Feed, In The News, Service, Transportation

The Ultimate Bulk Feed Trailer Maintenance Checklist

A change in season is the perfect time to perform routine bulk feed trailer maintenance. Regularly servicing bulk feed trucks and trailers will help keep your Ledwell equipment running as smoothly as possible. To help, we created a list for you to follow to make sure everything on your bulk haul equipment is running smoothly.

Before inspecting any Ledwell equipment, make sure to set the parking brake, turn on safety lights, and chock the wheels. Be aware of your surroundings while walking around your bulk feedbody.

Bulk Feed Trailer Maintenance Checklist

LIGHTS

Lights, wiring, reflectors, and conspicuity – working and adequately mounted.
Ensure No rubbing or chaffing and sufficiently insulated. Check the work lights.

BODY

Gladhand seals – inspect and replace as needed.
Inspect upper coupler, no broken welds or cracks. Inspect kingpin and kingpin
Landing gear is straight, with no cracks or breaks in braces and mounting brackets.
Check crank handles for proper operation and condition.
Inspect the top cover of each leg for holes or missing. Remove all dirt and grease.
Plate for wear or damage. Grease all points – lubricate all grease fittings on the landing gear.
Mudflaps and mounting – present, intact, and securely mounted.
Air hoses and lines – no leaks, cuts, bulges, improper joints.
Ensure no rubbing or chaffing and proper routing and insulation.
ICC bumper – no cracks, mounted adequately.
Power spray dirt and feed from the top of the kingpin plate. Every 30 days.
Frame and cross members – inspect, no cracks, bends, broken welds, and end clip fasteners in place.
Ladder and Catwalks – not bent, broken, or loose, all fasteners present and tight.
Tarps – inspect the condition, replace if damaged. Check tarp rod and grease as needed.
Check tension on the pull cord on the front.
Top doors – proper mounting, seals and operation, grease handles if applicable.
Drain moisture from all air tanks.

WHEELS & TIRES

Tires – no flats (75 psi). No cuts, breaks, bumps, bulges, or knots.
Free of contact with any part of the vehicle. Air tires to 110 psi and mark per procedure.
Record tread depth 32nds: RFI: /32 RFO: /32 RRI: /32 RRO: /32 LFI· /32 LFO· /32 LRI· /32 LFO: /32
Wheels – wheel nuts and lugs tight and none missing (torqued to 450-500-foot pounds), no cracks.
Valve cap extenders in place; replace it if missing. Valve stems are correctly aligned.
Hub oilers-check all hub oilers. No leaks or cracks in the glass.
Check oil level and condition. Check for metal with a magnet.
Visually inspect wheel seals for leaks.
Brakes replace if the lining is less than 5/16″ measured at the center of the lining.
Record brake thickness RF: ___ RR· ___ LF· ___ LR: ___
Check brake adjustment by checking the pushrod travel. (Max travel on the short-stroke chamber is 2″ and 2 1/2″ on the long-stroke).
Lubricate all fittings on brake slack adjusters and all s-cam bushings. The sleeve should be full.

Bulk Haul Feed Trailer for sale by Ledwell

AXLES & SUSPENSION

Inspect springs, hangers, u-bolts, and brake drums – none are broken, loose, or cracked leaves, bolts, hangers, or axle housing.
No displaced spring leaves.
Check air ride suspension, hangers, spacers, bushings, shocks, airbags, and brackets are in good condition.
No cracks check ride height and adjust if needed.

DELIVERY SYSTEM

Inspect discharge to upright clamp rings—grease weekly.
Inspect upright to floor transition—grease weekly.
Fill, cycle, and check the operation of the auto-lube system if equipped.
Drag chain – remove covers front and rear. Inspect all sprockets, none loose, in proper alignment.
Inspect all chain links for wear or breaks – pins and links.
Inspect adjusters and lubricate, adjust the chain to proper tension.
Vertical auger chain – inspect for wear, adjustment, and loose or broken chain links.
Chainguard is mounted correctly and bolts tight. Lubricate chain.
Grease all augers, all points. – 5 pumps of grease. Every 30 days.

HYDRAULICS

Hydraulic Hoses – inspect all, no leaks, breaks, bulges, rubbing, chaffing, proper routing, insulation, and installation.
Hydraulic Motors and Valves – inspect, mounting bolts tight, none missing, no leaks.
Check controls – function properly, no excessive slack.
Check the oil level in all torque converters and gearboxes. Inspect for leaks and proper mounting.
Check bearings. Fill with 7SW90 – 5 pumps of grease. Every 30 days.

We hope this bulk feed trailer maintenance checklist was helpful!

To make it even easier to perform routine inspections on Ledwell Feed equipment – download a copy for your shop.

DOWNLOAD CHECK LIST

Ledwell Team In Construction, Energy, Feed, Fire, Government, In The News, Material Handling, Rental, Service, Transportation, Waste

Change in Season: Time For Preventative Maintenance

Season change means different behaviors for your trusted equipment. But you can make sure that this doesn’t affect your work on the job. There are a variety of actions you can take that your equipment needs to stay efficient and running. One of them is preventative maintenance. Not all equipment is as easy as your typical loading ramp – having to grease the landing gear only once a year. But maintenance is imperative for longevity.

We believe wholeheartedly that maintenance schedules will allow your equipment a long, happy life, no matter the piece.

We’ve devised several Preventative Maintenance sheets for your benefit. These outline how you can prepare your equipment for various conditions and what you must do to get the most out of your money. Preventative Maintenance checklists are available for the following equipment:

Ledwell manufacturer of equipment for sale

Bulk Haul Feed Trailer PM Schedule

Heavy Haul Trailer Manufacturer, Ledwell

HydraTail Trailer PM Schedule

Hydraulic Tail - HydraTail Truck manufactured by Ledwell in America

HydraTail Truck PM Schedule

Ledwell Rollback for sale - Manufactured in America

Rollback PM Schedule

You can also tune into our social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube. We know it’s tough to remember when your equipment needs routine maintenance when you have a million other things happening on the job. That’s why we do our best to provide you easy access, like adding preventative maintenance questions and answers to those above-mentioned social media outlets.

If these aren’t enough for you, and you’re looking for something a little more specific, you can always check out our FAQ page on our website or give us a call. One way or another, Ledwell is determined to gain your satisfaction through equipment performance.

Ledwell Team In Fire, In The News

Employees Support ArkLaTex 100 Club at Annual Sporting Clay Tournament

Pull for Heroes Tournament benefiting ArkLaTex 100 Club

The Ledwell team loves to rally around a good cause. One cause we support each year is the ArkLaTex 100 Club, a nonprofit organization that’s sole purpose is to benefit our local police and firefighters in Bowie and Miller Counties.

The goal of the Arklatex 100 Club is to raise funds for the dependents of our first responders lost in the line of duty.

The remaining funds will be used to purchase any unbudgeted but necessary life-saving equipment and additional training.

The club also provides local agencies grants for necessary life-saving equipment and training.

This includes a thermal imaging camera for the Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department. A K9 officer for the Bowie County Sherrif and Texarkana, Texas Police Department.

In March, a team of employees participated in the ArkLaTex 100 Club’s annual Pull for Heroes Sporting Clay Tournament. Our team had fun participating and looks forward to the event again next year.

This fundraiser brings in $35,000+ annually – the one and only fundraising event the club has each year.

The funds raised from Pull for Heroes benefit multiple entities in Bowie and Miller Counties. As a result, grants are provided to purchase tactical/protective equipment, fund special training, and assist surviving dependents.

13 local entities in Bowie and Miller County benefitted from those funds.

Learn more about this fantastic organization by following them on Facebook.

Ledwell Team In Construction, Government, In The News, Innovation, Rental, Transportation

Get Low With the Ledwell HydraTilt Truck

Ledwell custom hydraulic trail truck - HydraTilt Truck

What do you get when you take a HydraTail Truck and add a unified hinge and hydraulic tilt deck? Ledwell’s groundbreaking, patent-pending HydraTilt Truck

“We saw an opportunity to create a more versatile truck. One that takes up less space on the street, accommodates low ground clearance equipment, has a shorter bed height, and has a deck that tilts high enough to unload containers.”

“We’ve had a lot of success in the rental industry with our HydraTail truck, but even those customers were having trouble with getting some of their lower ground clearance equipment over the tail and hinge easily,” said Ledwell engineer Gary Gathright.

The truck’s innovative design centers around what the Ledwell team calls a unified hinge.

“When you hinge the deck and tail off of the same piece, when they’re parallel with each other, there’s no step-down like you’d get with two hinges,” he said. “It’s an easier loading situation, and you can more easily slide things off, like a container or non-powered equipment.”

Gary said the HydraTilt Truck can be positioned to result in a loading configuration similar to the rollback, but it’s 5 3/4 inches lower in transport mode.

“That makes it easier on the drivers loading the equipment and creates a lower center of gravity, so you have a more stable platform when you’re driving,” he said. “And you can haul larger equipment.”

The HydraTilt Truck’s smaller loading and unloading space makes it an asset in urban areas.

“When you’re on a crowded downtown street, you want to take up as little room as possible as you load and unload,” Gary said. “It makes for a safer environment for the driver unloading the equipment, and it’s safer for the public in general because you’re not taking up multiple driveways or blocking the street.”

The Ledwell team ultimately designed the HydraTilt Truck to make customers’ lives easier.

“This is simply an extension of what we have done for nearly 75 years, which is to take feedback from our customers and create the equipment they need,” he said.

Learn more about the Ledwell HydraTilt Truck

Ledwell Team In Government, In The News, Innovation, Material Handling, Waste

Choosing a Grapple: Which Rotobec Attachment is Best for You?

Ledwell Demolition Dump with Rotobec Grapple Attachment

If you’re in the market for a grapple truck or attachment, you can’t beat industry-leading Rotobec grapples. Rotobec launched its revolutionary rotating hydraulic system in the forestry industry. Later, the company expanded its product offerings to include recycling, waste handling, railroad maintenance, and construction and bulk material handling.

Which grapple will work best for you? Rotobec has a wide selection of grapples designed for specific industries and job applications.

Forestry & Logging

Excavators, material handlers, and log loaders need tough grapples that can adapt to various situations. If you’re looking for something versatile, Rotobec’s Log Grapples, Combination Grapples, and Rotobec Power Attachments fit the bill. Rotobec’s Pulpwood Grapples and Butt’n Top Grapples load and unload trucks efficiently.

Industrial Jobs

Industrial grapples handle a variety of materials in any environment imaginable. Rotobec’s Clamshell Buckets are available in multiple sizes and configurations. The Demolition Power Attachment Grapple is built with thicker, stronger steel. Rotobec’s Pipe & Pole Handing Series Grapples safely handle utility poles and gas lines.

Waste Handling

Rotobec offers grapple attachments for each step of the waste handling and waste removal process, with specialized units for trash, compaction, sorting/demolition, and waste collection. Plus, they offer multi-purpose, and waste collection grapples that make roadside pickup and storm cleanup quicker and more efficient.

Scrap Metal

If it isn’t tough, you don’t want to use it for scrap metal. Rotobec is an industry leader in durable, tough, innovative products for scrap metal handling. Their Orange Peel Grapple has a fully guarded, hose-less cylinder design that reduces the risk of hydraulics damage. The Demolition RPA’s 360-degree rotation allows for more flexibility in motion than traditional dangle style rotation grapples.

Railway Operations

Need to move railroad ties? Look no further than Rotobec’s rail grapples. The Tie Bundle Grapple can handle 5-9 tie-wide bundles, and the Loose Tie Grapple helps collect and move ties without bringing shale along.

Storm Chasers

Hurricanes, tornadoes, severe storms, and floods can cause catastrophic damage and leave behind an immense amount of debris. Storm chasers need dump trucks outfitted with a versatile, multi-purpose loader and grapple combination that can handle a variety of materials, such as the Rotobec Elite 910 + Waste Collection Grapple.

Authorized Rotobec Dealer

Looking for a do-everything package? Pair a Rotobec loader and grapple with a Ledwell Dump Truck for a powerful machine that’ll get the job done.

As an authorized Rotobec dealer with the quickest turnaround times in the industry, we can build a truck to your specs and ship it out when you need it, where you need it. Learn more.

Ledwell Team In Government, In The News, Innovation, Material Handling, Rental

Winning at Innovation: Ledwell Solar Lift Loading Ramp

If you are looking for the next innovative piece of equipment – look to Ledwell! Our Solar Lift Loading Ramp is the 2020 Innovative Product Award, Miscellaneous Category winner – presented by RER Magazine.

During a typical workday, the goal is usually to get the most done, in the shortest amount of time and in the most organized way possible. Efficiency is key. The revolutionary Ledwell Solar Loading Ramp is built for just that. If you’ve ever wished you could cut out the lengthy process of lifting your ramp via hand-crank then this is the perfect addition to your arsenal. We’ve managed to give your ramp the capability to harness the power of the sun, so you don’t have to work so hard. Simply connect our Solar Panel to your ramp’s battery system, charge it, and then flip a switch and allow your Solar Lift to do the rest. It’s the easiest way to find the perfect angle for the job at hand.

Maybe you already have a perfectly good Ledwell Loading Ramp, All-Weather or Standard, and wished you had the opportunity to upfit your ramp. Well, you do! We can upfit any current Ledwell Loading Ramp with a Solar Lift Kit and voila, you have your very own Solar Lift Ramp!

The Ledwell staff had heard from many customers that drivers frequently had difficulty lining up the height of the trailer when they backed up their vehicle to a loading dock. “They need to move it up or down to match the trailer height because you don’t want to jump some mower off the ramp,” says Steve Ledwell. “Some drivers either don’t wish to run them up and down because it’s a little work, or some literally can’t physically do it anymore for whatever reason. So, we came up with this plan to put a solar panel and put a switch on it. You pull a switch and it goes up or you pull a switch and it goes down. And now we have a ramp that can go up and down easily, so drivers more easily get it correct. It’s safer and easier for the drivers, it’s safer on the load and this way drivers don’t mind spending a few extra seconds to match up the height because it’s not hard.”

Ledwell emphasizes the safety benefits of the solar ramp. “The drivers are taking a chance not matching up right,” he says. “The driver will take a machine and try to drive it on a ramp that’s either six inches too low for the trailer or six inches too high because they didn’t want to crank it anymore. So, this is a much safer and easier solution.”

We are beyond proud of the team that made this new ramp operation a success. To read the entire article go to rermag.com.

Learn more about upgrading your Ledwell ramp with a solar lift kit.

Ledwell Team In Energy, In The News, Industry, Material Handling, Waste

Partnership leads to new tracked hydroexcavator

In 2019, we had the opportunity to manufacture one of our vacuum tanks combined with a crawler carrier that could change an industry.

This project was similar to others- taking an idea and turning it into reality.

To provide a solution.

In Ledwell fashion, we ran towards the opportunity.

The Opportunity

When a hydro-excavation contractor needs to perform work in hard-to-reach or environmentally sensitive areas such as swamps or marshes, it is often difficult to use large trucks.

Mats can sometimes be placed down for the trucks to drive over to protect the environment from any damage the heavy machines may cause.

Those mats are heavy, bulky, and expensive, though, and they take additional time to utilize.

The Solution

However, through a collaborative effort with Ledwell & Son, PRINOTH and Pipeline & Utility Rental Equipment (PURE), the pipeline and utility industries have a new tool to make digging easier.

The TrakVac is a compact hydro excavator built by Ledwell and mounted on a PRINOTH crawler carrier buggy. It combines the agility of a crawler carrier to access hard-to-reach areas with low-impact vacuum technology where traditional digging is more difficult, especially close to underground utilities and pipelines.

The idea was to get a more compact hydro-excavation unit into some of the harder-to-reach or environmentally sensitive areas of pipeline construction.

“The total package of hydroexcavation with the ability to ‘Go Anywhere’ (which is PRINOTH’s slogan) makes the TrakVac a true initiative and an answer to the growing demands of the pipeline industry,” says Gary Gathright, Ledwell engineer.

An industry first, the TrakVac provides a solution for unique job sites. After countless hours of engineering, manufacturing, and perfecting, we are proud to share this innovation with the world.

Dig Different’s March issue features this unique machine as a Product Spotlight. Read more about it in Dig Different’s Product Spotlight.

Ledwell Team In Construction, Energy, Feed, Government, In The News, Industry, Innovation, Rental, Service, Transportation, Waste

Lube Buddy Provides Service On the Go

Ledwell Service Skid - Manufactured in America

When you’re on the go, working a time-sensitive job, or just looking for convenience, you need access to service equipment fast. Ledwell has your quick solution to perform in-the-field equipment PM service and maintenance with a portable service skid – Lube Buddy.

Our Lube Buddies provide an easy and efficient way for you to keep your equipment serviced and ready to go. This equipment can be utilized as a mobile unit or serve as a stationary portable maintenance center at the job site!

Our Lube Buddy, Jr. is suited for light-duty vehicles. Its smaller stature makes it lighter, and easy to move from location to location. Convenient to place. Allows for easy access to air, fresh fluids, and properly dispose of waste. This piece of equipment comes with spill and overflow pans to minimize mess, and non-corrosive pipe fittings to ensure longevity.

If you’re searching for something a little more heavy-duty, we’ve got you covered.

This Lube Buddy option can turn any of your medium-duty hauling vehicles into a skid-mounted, self-contained fuel and lube service center! Much like the Lube Buddy, Junior, the Lube Buddy Max is designed in such a way to prevent excessive spillover and ensure a long lifespan.

Easily move these units with a forklift. Place on a level surface to avoid any spills and to ensure proper operation. Be sure to always read the accompanying operators’ manuals in regard to all pieces of equipment you own.

To learn more about the Lube Buddy, Jr. or Lube Buddy Max and other service equipment, visit our Service Truck page.

Ledwell Mobile Lube Service Center with Compressor

Ledwell Team In Feed, In The News

SMART Feed System Enhances Drop Deck Auger Feed Trailer

In today’s bulk feed delivery industry, drivers and operators truly need a trailer that can handle every aspect of the job seamlessly. From safety and performance to bio-security, capacity, and technological automation, the demands on feed transportation equipment have never been greater.

Recognizing this need, Ledwell has risen to the challenge by designing and building a trailer that not only meets but exceeds the demands for safety, performance, bio-security, capacity, and technological automation.

Combining our proven expertise with cutting-edge innovations, we’re proud to introduce the Ledwell SMART Feed System.

At the heart of the Ledwell SMART Feed System lies a combination of innovative components meticulously engineered to deliver unparalleled performance and efficiency. Building upon the success of Ledwell’s Drop Deck Auger Feed Trailer, the SMART system upgrade introduces key elements such as the Transducer, Brain, and SMART Valve.

The Transducer serves as the system’s sensory organ, tracking pressure fluctuations with remarkable precision. Its ability to operate at the speed of light ensures instantaneous response to changes in loading conditions. Upon detecting pressure variations, the Transducer converts this data into an electrical signal, which is then relayed to the Brain.

The Brain, acting as the central processing unit of the SMART Feed System, interprets the incoming signals from the Transducer and formulates an appropriate response. Leveraging sophisticated algorithms, the Brain calculates the optimal adjustments required to maintain a consistent pressure throughout the unloading process. This real-time feedback loop ensures maximum efficiency and reliability, even in dynamic operational environments.

Facilitating the Brain’s instructions is the SMART Valve, a marvel of engineering designed to regulate flow rates with unparalleled accuracy. By precisely modulating the flow of feed based on input from the Brain, the SMART Valve maintains a fixed pressure, guaranteeing uniform delivery and maximizing flow.

Experience the future of feed delivery today with the Ledwell SMART Feed System – where precision meets performance, and reliability knows no bounds.

Let us build the perfect trailer for your needs and usher in a new era of efficiency and productivity in bulk feed transportation.

Ledwell Drop Deck Bulk Haul with Smart System

Ledwell Team In Feed, In The News, Innovation, Material Handling, Transportation, Waste

Robotic Welder Plays Key Role in Production

In the industrial world, a big word is efficiency – especially when it comes to manufacturing. One needs to be able to get parts, pieces, and products out fast and accurately. People are and will always be the key, but sometimes they need a little help to keep up with customer demands. That’s why Ledwell would like to introduce you to a new addition to our team – our Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) Robotic Welder.

Our Robotic Welder is currently being used to produce over 30 types of parts – for example, our hydraulic cylinders.

We’ve decreased the time it takes to weld together a cylinder in half due to this innovation. The robot program knowledge is growing and soon will handle the output of our most highly produced parts.

This machine can move roughly three to four times faster than the average person with the accuracy and precision Ledwell requires. Where it might take a person 20 minutes to weld a single part, it would take the robot five.

The operator has two options in controlling this machine. They can either control it Offline, meaning they present a 3D model and provide commands, or they can teach the machine and guide its every movement. Either way, the Robotic Welder is non-stop.

The continuous movement is really what gives the machine an extra edge and makes it cool to watch!

Industry