A new trap for trailers that haul grain and other bulk loads has been developed by Timpte Inc, David City, Nebraska.
The Timpte rollaway trap does not slide like conventional traps. One end of the trap material (commercial conveyor belting) is fixed to one side of the hopper bottom and supported by closely spaced rollers. To open, the rollers move to the side as the belting wraps around and under the rollers. The framework of rollers moves on steel ball bearings located on the sides of the trap frame. A rack-and-pinion drive opens and closes the trap.
The mock-up demonstrated at Mid-America also incorporated an improved hopper design with radius corners so that material does not hang up as easily. The hopper is formed of only two pieces of metal joined along the centerline of the trailer. All four corners are formed with a one-inch radius.