Locks for truck boxes?

[squisher]

Locks on a chipbody. Alot of you here have the arbortech or southco boxes. How have your locks held up? Mine are pooched and I'm wondering if it's worthwhile fixing them or just figuring something else out. I of course have the pins for long term storage but they're a pita for a nightly event.

 

[arborworks1]

Those paddle latches suck. They changed them to the t handle twist lock some years ago(4). doesn't look like it would be hard to change them out for new latches. I think I even saw some t handles that would fit in.

 

[squisher]

Mine are the 't' handle and I think they suck too. They keep forking up and now I've got a couple that I won't ever lock as I've spent a good 10mins on the jobsite beating the hell outta my truck to get at my saws.

 

[squisher]

Because I live in relative isolation you guys are my info. If y'all have had good luck with the locks on yours then I'll probably just replace all mine new and go with it. If they're screwing up on everybody all over N.A. it's time to finger something else out then.

 

[NeTree]

Probably cheaper in the long run to just weld padlock hasps on.

 

[SkwerI]

On the blue truck I spent the money to change out the locks in order to maintain the look and function of the original. I think that cutting off the original latches and welding padlock hasps on the boxes would be the ultimate redneck crap solution (no offense intended, Erik, but NO). I know that you like your gear to look good and wouldn't do something like that though.

My current truck has the T handle latches and I don't like them quite as well as the paddle latches on my last truck. Seems like half the people who need to get into one of my boxes are baffled and confused on how to work them, and they end up trying to slam the doors and wondering why they won't latch. :roll:

 

[squisher]

Lol, I was gonna post about not wanting to mess up 'the look' of my pristine bucket truck. But then I remembered that my truck is just a ole beater probably compared to what most reading this are running.

 

[squisher]

My current truck has the T handle latches and I don't like them quite as well as the paddle latches on my last truck. Seems like half the people who need to get into one of my boxes are baffled and confused on how to work them, and they end up trying to slam the doors and wondering why they won't latch. :roll:

You could look at the T handles as a minimum IQ test. If you can't operate the latches chances are you shouldn't be operating what's inside them.

 

[NeTree]

Why would you need to cut out the old latches Skwerl? I meant just add some at the bottom, or somethin'.

Shit, I bet I could make 'em look factory, even.

 

[MasterBlaster]

The only locks that work are the ones bolt cutters can't get to.

 

[stehansen]

I use my pins every night, and I don't lock the outside door.

 

[NeTree]

Hence the pins. Even the latches aren't too hard to get around.

 

[squisher]

I've already got a locked six foot chainlink fence all the way around my place. I just want a convenient way to lock my boxes everynight so someone couldn't just scale my fence and then be tossing saws over. Steve I find dropping the pins and pulling the pins to be a pita with a forestry unit, maybe I'm lazy that way. No way I'm doing that every night in my own yard.

I guess just fixing/replacing the factory locks would work best for me. I'm sure it's not a strong lock set-up but you're gonna make enough noise to raise mine and my neighbors dogs which will then raise me.

 

[stehansen]

Maybe mine are different but it takes no more than a minute to pin them and I usually do it before we leave the job site. It is a PITA once you are home to have to start up the truck and all that to get the saws out to sharpen them or clean them.

 

[squisher]

Ok I see, ya I'm always messing around with things at home. fueling/servicing saws and re-organizing rigging and whatnot.

 

[sotc]

id just replace em. yours are prolly old originals, new ones will feel much better and as an owner operater they should last. i agree with squish as i have to put the jacks down, climb up to raise the booms, climb down to dump and pin the boxes then reverse to put it all back. pita

 

[stehansen]

I do all that but I don't have to put my outriggers down.

 

[squisher]

You mean outriggers? Does your truck make you do that? I don't put my outriggers down to just put my boom up and lift the dumpbox. How do you pull ahead to dump chips?

 

[sotc]

pick em back up part way. theres a safety that wont allow the upper to function till the outriggers are part way down easy to disconnect but i see no reason

 

[squisher]

I see one big reason...........dumping chips!

 

[sotc]

thats what my chip trucks are for dont chip into the bucket very often

 

[squisher]

Shoulda got a rearmount then

 

[sotc]

it has come in handy but i really would rather a rear mount (truck you sickos)

 

[squisher]

That'll be my next truck for sure. A rear mount that will pull the dumptrailer/mini and a dedicated giant sized chip truck. Huge!

 

[sotc]

shorter wheel base, far less weight and under cdl, mucho more bettero