Cannonball bale bed

[Longrope]

Got a question for anyone with this bed. I got this bed on a one ton platform(Ram). On the bed I have a T&S trip hopper(holds approx. 1200 pds). My ? is I'm not sure if the bed hopping/flexing in the front is such a good thing. Was wondering if anyone has "locked" down the front of these beds like people used to lock down old 2-ton grain trucks? If so how? Nothing permanent as I like the dump feature too much. Just in the winter when I have the cake box on.

 

[loomixguy]

Could you vertically weld a piece of like 3/8 or 1/2 inch flat with a hole near the bottom end of the flat that would match up with a hole in the truck frame, on the frame rails of the bed? Then get like a grade 5 bolt with a hole drilled through the end for a cotter key...run the bolt through the holes and put a washer and the cotter key in. Do it on both sides. When you need the flex, pull the cotter keys & pull the bolt out. Put them back in for solid. No tools required. Should allow for the dump feature to function when needed.

 

[DejaVu]

I have a Cannonball. Don't have a feeder on it but I see the flex when hauling bales. With the rails on the underside, it really can't go anywhere much. I haven't worried about it as I'm easily distracted :lol:
If it's something that concerns you, call CannonBall. Customer service is excellent. There are two places in front of the gooseneck ball for bolting the bed to the frame. I've never done it because I wouldn't be able to raise the bed. But, if you're not hooking or un-hooking often, bolting it down would probably stop the flexing.

 

[littlejoe]

Pickup frames are designed to flex, bale beds are pretty rigid.

We bolt our hydra beds down with long bolts and diesel valve springs on the front--after breaking frames and fishplating them.

 

[Longrope]

I have a Cannonball. Don't have a feeder on it but I see the flex when hauling bales. With the rails on the underside, it really can't go anywhere much. I haven't worried about it as I'm easily distracted :lol:
If it's something that concerns you, call CannonBall. Customer service is excellent. There are two places in front of the gooseneck ball for bolting the bed to the frame. I've never done it because I wouldn't be able to raise the bed. But, if you're not hooking or un-hooking often, bolting it down would probably stop the flexing.

I have the bed bolted down with those two bolts, as you mentioned, I'm concerned that I'm going to get too much frame twist. But calling the company would probably answer alot of questions. Or just run it as is and see what happens!