Solution Summary: Truck-bed Unloader
A truck-bed unloader is a pick up truck unloading system that assists the unloading of materials.
Description:
A truck-bed unloader is an engineering control that may help reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) from lifting and carrying or stooped postures. The Loadhandler® includes a drag sheet, adjustable metal brackets, and a crank system that is attached to a pickup tailgate to assist with unloading materials. The DumperDogg Dump Truck Insert fits in a pickup truck bed and uses motor powered hydraulics to assist in the unloading of materials.
Loadhandler®
The Loadhandler® is attached to the pickup tailgate and has a drag sheet which covers the truck bed. For unloading, lower the tailgate, insert the crank handle, and turn it to retract the drag sheet. The entire system can be installed or removed in about a minute.
The Loadhandler® is available in two different models including the LH2200, LH2200M, and the LH3000. The LH2200 fits full-size pickup trucks while the LH2200M fits mid-size pickup trucks. These models have an unloading capacity of 2200 pounds.
The LH3000 functions the same as the LH2200(M) but is sturdier with steel brackets and buckles, and steel ends on the roller bar. The polypropylene drag sheet has two inches of extra width. The unloading capacity is 3000 pounds.
Loadhandler® model specs:
| Model | Roller Bar | Dragsheet (width x length) | Unit Weight | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LH2200 | 68" | 50" x 15' | 21 lbs. | 2200 lbs. |
| LH2200M | 60" | 42" x 15' | 19 lbs. | 2200 lbs. |
| LH3000 | 67" | 50" x 15' | 31 lbs. | 3000 lbs. |
DumperDogg Truck Insert
The DumperDogg Dump Truck Insert fits in the back of pickup truck beds and assists with unloading. It uses a 3 hp motor which is powered by the pickup truck’s battery. A tethered control box is used at the end of a 9 foot cord and can be wired through to the cab of the truck. The motor powers a hydraulic pump which allows the insert to lift up to 6,000 pounds, and the insert can be angled up to 45 degrees.
The DumperDogg Truck Insert includes a double pivoting and removable tailgate similar to a full sized dump truck. Other features include a black powder coat or stainless steel finish. The insert comes in steel and stainless steel for 6 and 8 foot beds and in polymer for eight foot beds. The 6 foot models have a capacity of 1.5 cubic yards, and the 8 foot variety can hold two cubic yards.
Risks Addressed:
Heavy lifting and carrying and stooped postures can cause low back disorders, such as muscle strain or a disc herniation (“slipped disc”), which is bulging of disc material possibly pressing on the spinal cord or nerves that go into the leg. A truck-bed unloader can help reduce heavy lifting and carrying and stooped postures by assisting in the unloading of materials.
How Risks are Reduced:
A truck-bed unloader reduces heavy lifting and carrying, and stooped postures since the materials are unloaded by using a hand crank or motor powered system instead of manually.
The manufacturer states that the Loadhandler® will “spare yourself the backbreaking work of unloading rock, gravel, firewood, sand, trash, mulch, dirt, yard waste, equipment, hay bales, feed bags, manure, roofing shingles, furniture or anything else you may haul in your pickup.”
BEDSLIDE states that workers can “can haul and easily access a full ton of tools, supplies or equipment safely and securely.”
CargoGlide® states “With a CargoGlide® bed slide, you can stop crawling in the back of your Truck or Van every time you need to reach your gear. So stop scuffing your knees and hurting your back!”
Safety and health experts believe a truck-bed unloader minimizes heavy lifting and carrying and stooped postures and therefore can reduce the incidence of MSDs. There have not been independent published studies measuring the effect of a truck-bed unloader on the incidence of low back disorders. However, studies have shown an association between manual materials handling and low back pain. (Kuiper et al. 1999; van der Molen et al. 2005). A truck-bed unloader reduces the amount of manual materials handling and therefore may reduce the incidence of low back pain.
Effects on Productivity:
A truck-bed unloader may increase productivity by assisting in the speed of unloading materials from a pickup.
Additional Considerations:
Loadhandler®
Reviewers of the Loadhandler® have found that it takes about 15 pounds of force per 1000 pounds of load to turn the crank during unloading. Loadhandler® sells a product called DOUBL-MAT® featuring a high density polyethylene surface which reduces the force needed to turn the hand crank.
The manufacture provides more information about the pickup truck sizes which can be fitted with the Loadhandler®. These can be found at http://www.loadhandler.com/appguide.php
A detailed customer demonstration can be found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSLLb4Q8gsw
The Loadhandler® can also be adapted for use with trailers. For more information, visit http://www.loadhandler.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=108
DumperDogg Dump Truck Insert
The DumperDogg Dump Truck Insert has optional add-ons for sale including a tarp kit, bolt-on cabin guard, and a wall extension kit.
BEDSLIDE and CargoGlide®
Although this type of cargo management system is geared toward use in pickup trucks, both BEDSLIDE and CargoGlide® advertise that their products can be fitted for vans and SUVs as well.
While all products advertise self-installation, users should keep in mind that cargo management systems can be very heavy and should be installed by more than one person.
Both BEDSLIDE and CargoGlide® note that maximum capacity loads should only be carried if the weight is distributed evenly.
Improper use of a sliding cargo management system can result in injury or damage to the vehicle or equipment. BEDSLIDE and CargoGlide® mention that a sliding cargo management system should always be operated with a vehicle on level ground, and should never be extended when a vehicle is moving. Workers should review the operator’s manual before installation and use of a sliding cargo management system.
Homemade Option:
Fine Homebuilding offers an instructional video on how to make a homemade sliding dump bed. This video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ODaJOAg9M0
Contributors:
Dan Anton, PT, PhD, ATC; Jesse Brouwer, SPT; and Elizabeth Seidl, SPT – Eastern Washington University
Hazards Addressed:
- Roofing
- Unload and transport material at ground level and to roofs
Availability
DumperDogg Dump Truck Insert
To obtain information, visit DumperDogg
BEDSLIDE
To obtain information, visit http://www.bedslide.com
or contact 888-807-0099 info@BEDSLIDE.com
Jotto Cargo-Slide
To obtain information, visit http://jottocargoslide.gojotto.com
or contact 877-455-6886
Loadhandler
To obtain information, visit http://www.loadhandler.com
or contact 1-800-580-0791 contact@loadhandler.com
CargoGlide®
To obtain information, visit http://www.cargoglide.com
