Ramp-it-Up Manual

“Ramp-it-Up” Manual

Dungster’s “Ramp-it-Up” loading system lessens workload while protecting the environment.

Like all Dungster products, the host dumpster is never modified. And “non-dumpsters”, vessels made for example with stacked 2’x2’x6’ concrete blocks can also utilize the labor-saving ramps. The Dungster “Ramp-it-Up” system, like the Dungster aeration system requires no tools for installation. Once familiar with the components, installation time required is about ten-minutes.   

Description: The host dumpster supports the loading ramps in all three axes. In the vertical, or Z axis, using the strength of the dumpster’s walls, the 3-ramp support cross beams (each beam is 1-1/2” schedule 40 galvanized pipe about 6-foot long) are suspended from both long top rails of the dumpster. This suspension uses 6-custom supplied inverted “J” hooks at the top rails which hook securely over the dumpster’s top rail. The “J” hooks support the pipe cross-beams that bridge from one inside wall to the opposite inside wall. At the highest ramp point the “J” hooks directly support the cross beam at each side by two-foot assemblies. One threaded foot assembly on one side and one unthreaded on the opposite side. The two lower cross-beams support pipes are suspended by adjustable chains from the “J” hooks. The vertical suspension is adjustable in increments of each chain link allowing for precise vertical positioning. This adjustment provides a twenty-foot-long loading ramp with a uniform slope over three separate sections. The other way the dumpster itself supports the ramps is in the X and Y directions. All three cross-beam supports have a lengthening adjustment thread or screw that looks like a giant “wing-nut”. These 3 wing-nuts, 2 initially hanging loosely by the chains from the “J” hooks, and one engaged directly by the “J” hook, are turned in a direction lengthening the beams internally until clamping firmly the pipe support beams to the inside walls of the dumpster. Once tightened, the ramps pipe supports are as stable as the dumpster itself with no detectable “spring” or “swing” under foot.

Installation procedure:

1. The six “J” hooks are positions only approximating their final positions, in pairs opposing each other across the dumpster and about 7 feet apart along the dumpster’s length. They hang inverted from the top rail. At the highest ramp two foot assemblies slip through the “J” hooks. A 6-foot long 1.5” schedule 40 galvanized pipe slips over the two feet’s pipe section. The screw end/wingnut is adjusted but not tightened at this moment allowing the pipe to be moved along the dumpster’s top rail.
2. The middle and door-end pairs of “J” hooks accept chains, and do not accept the beams directly. For the middle and door-end beams each 1.5” pipe has foot members inserted at each end and these foot members have a length of chain. The chains engage with the “J” hook above them such that the cross-beam is suspended below the top rail and above the floor.
3. Once all three cross beams are loosely positioned one set of planks can be positioned bridging between the pipe beams. The “J” hooks need to be adjusted in position along the top rails, so the chains are nearly vertical. Then the vertical heights of the support pipes are adjusted by moving the chains link-by-link in the “J” hooks chain engagement notch. After tweaking the horizontal positions of the “J” hooks and the vertical chain lengths until the planks are a nice uniform slope the three huge “wingnuts” on the beams are turned until the beam expanding length firmly secures it to the dumpster’s walls.

Removal is in reverse order of the above assembly.

Filling the Dungster Composter and Adjustment the Ramps Position

1. Ideally the filling process is as day-by-day chores are completed. Manure and bedding move from the stall via wheelbarrow and directly up the sloped ramp to be tipped up and into the dumpster at the end opposite the open door. The far-end/highest point is loaded first. That end is loaded full to the top rail and about ¼ full in the length of the dumpster. Then a cover is placed over the loaded portion of the dumpster preventing rain and snow from entering. Wheelbarrow loads can be tipped over the sides of the ramps near the top. However, be careful and do not fill and cover the wing-nuts with manure as these need to be loosened!
2. When the ramp’s highest end is too “deep” inside the filling dumpster it needs to be “backed out”, or adjusted inside the dumpster’s length. To adjust do the following steps:
   1. Loosen the three large “wingnuts” or screws clamping the beams internally to the walls.
   2. Lift off the plank(s) touching the ground.
   3. Slip the “J” hooks along the top rails toward the door end.
   4. Sometimes one must move one side a few inches and then the opposite side a few inches and then back to the first side. A block of waste wood and a tap with a hammer will make it easy to adjust.
   5. When in the new position tighten the three large “wingnuts” or screws clamping the beams to the walls.
   6. Replace the plank(s) touching the ground and return to loading manure.
3. The first time the ramp is adjusted toward the door all three cross support beams are likely still engaged with the dumpster’s walls.
4. If subsequent adjustments cause the lowest “J” hooks to be pushed off the top rail that cross beam can be supported by a “saw-horse” support.
5. Eventually, the ramps are more and more “out of” the dumpster and harder and harder to support by the dumpster. At some point it is best to close the dumpster door and heave the remaining manure and bedding over the walls from outside the dumpster using a shovel or pitchfork until the dumpster is full. See final assembly below.

Tim Shuttleworth

August 8, 2023