Systems and methods for connecting an actuator between a dump body and a chassis of a truck, and hinge assembly for pivotally connecting a dump body to a chassis of a truck

A system for connecting an actuator between a dump body and a chassis of a truck, the dump body being pivotally connected to the chassis of the truck, the system comprising:

• a cradle assembly for connecting the actuator to the chassis, the cradle assembly being adapted to be removably connected to the chassis;
• a hoist bracket assembly for connecting the actuator to the dump body;
• and
• the hoist bracket assembly including a set of bushings being configurable in a first bushing configuration and in a second bushing configuration adapted to define first and second spacings respectively for receiving the actuator therebetween, and one of the first and second bushing configurations being selected based on the actuator,
• the hoist bracket assembly having a base plate adapted to be connected to the dump body, and a bracket adapted to be connected to the base plate, the bracket having first and second hoist bushing mounts;
• the set of bushings including first and second hoist bushings adapted to be removably connected to the first and second hoist bushing mounts and to connect to the actuator, each of the first and second hoist bushings respectively having first and second sides;
• the first bushing configuration being a first hoist bushing configuration;
• the second bushing configuration being a second hoist bushing configuration;
• the first spacing being a first hoist spacing;
• the second spacing being a second hoist spacing;
• when the first and second hoist bushings are removably connected to the first and second hoist bushing mounts in the first hoist bushing configuration:
• the first side of the first hoist bushing faces towards the first side of the second hoist bushing,
• the second side of the first hoist bushing faces away from the second side of the second hoist bushing, and
• the hoist bracket assembly has the first hoist spacing defined between the first side of the first hoist bushing and the first side of the second hoist bushing, and
• when the first and second hoist bushings are removably connected to the first and second hoist bushing mounts in the second hoist bushing configuration:
• the first side of the first hoist bushing faces away from the first side of the second hoist bushing,
• the second side of the first hoist bushing faces towards the second side of the second hoist bushing, and
• the hoist bracket assembly has the second hoist spacing defined between the second side of the first hoist bushing and the second side of the second hoist bushing.

A method for connecting an actuator between a dump body and a chassis of a truck, the dump body being pivotally connected to the chassis of the truck, the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting a cradle assembly to the chassis,
• connecting a hoist bracket assembly to the dump body,
• selecting the actuator from:
• a first actuator, and
• a second actuator;
• connecting the selected one of the first and second actuators to the cradle assembly and the hoist bracket assembly;
• and
• when the first actuator is selected, connecting at least one of:
• a set of cradle bushings to the cradle assembly in a first cradle bushing configuration for defining a first cradle spacing adapted for receiving the first actuator, and connecting the first actuator to the cradle assembly comprises connecting the set of cradle bushings to the first actuator;
• and
• a set of hoist bushings to the hoist bracket assembly in a first hoist bushing configuration for defining a first hoist spacing adapted for receiving the first actuator, and connecting the first actuator to the hoist bracket assembly comprises connecting the set of hoist bushings to the first actuator;
• and
• when the second actuator is selected, connecting at least one of:
• the set of cradle bushings to the cradle assembly in a second cradle bushing configuration for defining a second cradle spacing adapted for receiving the second actuator, the second cradle spacing being different from the first cradle spacing, and connecting the second actuator to the cradle assembly comprises connecting the set of cradle bushings to the second actuator;
• and
• the set of hoist bushings to the hoist bracket assembly in a second hoist bushing configuration for defining a second hoist spacing adapted for receiving the second actuator, the second hoist spacing being different from the first hoist spacing, and connecting the second actuator to the hoist bracket assembly comprises connecting the set of hoist bushings to the second actuator.