We are starting a part-time tree business. We are looking into buying a "Load Handler" to make unloading the chip box easier. The Load Handler is basically a tarp you put down under your load. It has a crank at the tailgate end of the truck bed that you use to crank the tarp (& load) out of the truck. Has anyone used one of these with wood chips, or anything else? Are they good, great, terrible?

We know of no-one who has used a Load Handler. Any experience would be helpful. We are not comfortable making the purchase without any advice except from those doing the selling. It is so much more reasonable than the other options (except for the shovel method!).

Thanks... cathryn

-- Cathryn Lee (Cathryn-Ann@helptalk.net), November 24, 2000

Answers

I looked into them,, and found that a heavy tarp, on the bottom of your truck, load it, then back up to a tree, tie to a tree, drive off. Thn back up to it, untie it from the tree, tie it back to your truck useing the same tie, and it flips right over, leaving the pile on the bottom, and your tarp free. Ive used that on rocks,, chips, manure, and firewood. If you really need someing, might want to look into getting an electric dump on the bed of your truck,, comes in real handy with little modifications, but it wont take a real heavy load,,, like 1/2 to 3/4 of the rating

-- STAN (sopal@net-port.com), November 24, 2000.

Cathryn: We have one, and got it specifically for wood chips. We are able several times each year, to get chipped up pine trees and were using them for mulch. Unfortunately, the distance was quite a ways, and by the time we shoveled them out of the pickup by hand, could only get one load a night, so we got the load handler. We have a sprayed in liner in our pickup, and the loadhandler slid much easier after we put a smooth piece of thin plywood over the bed first. It works great, tho. Haven't used it for anything really heavy like firewood, but for wood chips and shavings it is perfect. Jan

-- Jan in Colorado (Janice12@aol.com), November 24, 2000.

I too was skeptical until I saw a guy at the dump unloading asphalt roofing shingles with one. Worked neat as a pin and made a believer out of me.

Laura

-- Laura Leek (LauraLeekis@home.com), November 28, 2000.

We have one and I think it is great, I had two "bobcat" buckets full of compost, wetted down, and let my wife and her friend unload it. It took only about 30 to 45 seconds to unload.. Watch for them on sale, I got mine at Wal-Mart for $40.00. Make the investment if you haul stuff.

-- Wayne & Lyn Roach (R-WAY@msn.com), December 01, 2000.

Does anyone know where I can find a Load Handler either in a retain store or on the web? I checked Wal-Mart and several auto parts stores and can't seem to find one. Please help!

-- Scott Applegate (Firemedicscott@hotmail.com), July 07, 2001.

I own one of these and they are AWESOME!

They WILL handle 2 tons of material. I've used it for top soil, 3/4 granular, stone dust, fire wood, BRUSH, you name it, it WILL unload it. The only limitations are your truck capacity, and your arm strength. At 2 tons, it's a little hard to unload. BUT IT DOES!

Awesome tool. Even used it for furniature. It brings your furnature nearer the gate for ease of unload.

These are VERY available at Canadian Tire (for Canadians).

If people are desparate for one, I can look into buying it, and sending one to them . . .(for a small fee of course). They retail arround $129 canadian.

Email me, and I'll help or answer questions, or send pictures.

tim

-- Tim Kerslake (chevybu81@hotmail.com), July 17, 2001.

I've got one too and the only problem I've ever had is forgetting to put it on before I load the truck. The 800 number is 800-580-0791 and their web site is www.loadhandler.com< /a>

-- Dave (dbelanger@tds.net), July 17, 2001.

I had one for several years, have unloaded as much as 3700 lbs of gravel. Purchased it from Northern Tool. Their Website is www.northerntool.com

John

-- John Behrman (sbehrman@tiger.fhsu.edu), April 07, 2002.