6 Best Dump Bed Kits for Backyard Chores
Streamline flock management with a dump bed kit. Our guide reviews the top 6 models for effortlessly hauling feed, bedding, and coop waste.
Hauling fifty-pound bags of feed from the truck to the coop is one thing. Hauling fifty-pound bags of soiled, wet bedding back out is another thing entirely. For backyard flock keepers, the physical labor of moving materials is a constant, and it’s the kind of work that wears you down over time. A good dump bed kit on your ATV, UTV, or garden tractor isn’t a luxury; it’s a fundamental tool that saves your back and buys you back precious time.
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Why a Dump Bed Kit Is a Flock Keeper’s Best Friend
A dump bed transforms your utility vehicle from a simple transporter into a powerful material handler. The real magic isn’t in the hauling—it’s in the unloading. Instead of spending ten minutes shoveling out a load of compost or soiled coop bedding, you can empty the entire bed in seconds with a simple lever pull or button press.
This efficiency is a game-changer for core flock chores. Think about the clean-out process: you can wheel your UTV right up to the coop door, shovel soiled pine shavings directly into the bed, and drive it straight to the compost pile for a quick dump. The same goes for bringing in fresh bedding, moving gravel for a new run, or distributing wood chips for a muddy patch.
It’s about minimizing the number of times you have to handle the same material. Every time you avoid scooping, shoveling, or lifting, you reduce strain on your body and speed up the entire task. This lets you focus on the animals themselves, not the grunt work that supports them.
MotoAlliance Detach It: Quick-Release Versatility
The MotoAlliance Detach It system isn’t just a dump bed; it’s a quick-release platform for multiple implements. This is its key strength and its main selling point. If your ATV or UTV serves multiple roles on your property—plowing snow in the winter, tilling a garden in the spring, and hauling feed year-round—this system allows you to swap tools in under a minute without wrestling with pins or bolts.
The dump bucket attachment itself is sturdy and well-designed for common flock tasks. It’s ideal for moving several bags of feed at once or for a full load of bedding from a small-to-medium-sized coop. The release mechanism is straightforward, making it easy to dump your load precisely where you want it on the compost pile.
The primary consideration here is whether you need the versatility of a multi-tool system. If you only plan to use your vehicle for hauling, a dedicated dump trailer might be more cost-effective. But if you see yourself needing a plow, a rake, or other implements, the Detach It system provides a single, integrated solution that grows with your needs.
Black Boar Implement Lift: A Multi-Tool System
Similar to MotoAlliance, the Black Boar system is built around a central implement lift that connects to your vehicle’s hitch. The dump bucket is just one of many available attachments. This modular approach is excellent for the hobby farmer who wants to build a capable, all-in-one toolkit for their ATV or UTV.
The Black Boar system often utilizes an electric lift, controlled by a switch on your handlebars. This provides powered lifting and lowering, which is a significant step up from purely manual systems. When it comes to the dump bucket, this means you can control the height of your dump, which is useful for creating neater piles or unloading into a raised container.
The tradeoff is the initial investment in the core implement lift, which is required to use any of the attachments. However, its parallel linkage design keeps the implement flat as you lift, a feature that’s more important for tools like rakes but still adds stability to the dump bucket. This is a system for someone planning ahead for multiple property management tasks.
Polar Trailer 8376: A Lightweight Tow-Behind
Not every solution needs to be a complex, vehicle-mounted system. The Polar Trailer 8376 is a tow-behind cart that offers a massive advantage: simplicity. It can be pulled by almost anything with a hitch, from a UTV to a standard riding lawnmower, making it incredibly versatile for properties of all sizes.
Constructed from high-impact polyethylene, the tub is lightweight, rust-proof, and surprisingly durable. It won’t dent like steel, and it’s easy to clean out with a hose. The foot-pedal dump latch and tilt-and-pivot frame make it exceptionally easy to unload materials exactly where you need them without straining.
The main limitation is that it’s a trailer. This means it’s less maneuverable in tight spaces, like backing up a narrow path to a coop door. But for open-field work, like hauling compost to the garden or moving firewood, its simplicity and ease of use are hard to beat. It’s a reliable workhorse without the mechanical complexity of other systems.
Great Day PowerLoader: For Heavy Lifting Tasks
The Great Day PowerLoader addresses a different, but related, problem: getting heavy things into the vehicle in the first place. This isn’t a dump bed, but an electric-powered lifting arm that mounts to your UTV. For the flock keeper who regularly moves full water containers, heavy bags of mineral supplements, or even small hay bales, this tool is a true back-saver.
Imagine lifting a 100-pound sack of feed without breaking a sweat. The PowerLoader uses a winch to lift items from the ground up into your UTV’s bed. It eliminates the most physically demanding part of many hauling chores. This is particularly valuable for solo operators or those with lifting limitations.
While it doesn’t help with unloading bulk materials like a dump bed does, it solves a critical piece of the puzzle. It’s a specialized tool for a specific, high-strain task. For many, pairing a PowerLoader with a standard UTV bed is the perfect combination for managing the heaviest inputs on the homestead.
Power-Lift Electric Dump Kit: Effortless Unloading
Easily lift your John Deere Gator cargo box with this 12V power lift kit. It features a self-contained unit with a heavy-duty motor and simple installation, offering reliable performance and IP67 waterproof protection.
If you already own a UTV with a manual dump bed, the Power-Lift Electric Dump Kit is a fantastic upgrade. This is a conversion kit that adds an electric actuator to do the heavy lifting for you. Instead of manually unlatching and heaving a bed full of wet manure, you simply press a button.
This kit is all about reducing physical effort to zero. It’s an ideal solution for anyone who finds manual dumping difficult due to weight, leverage, or physical strain. The installation is straightforward for someone with basic mechanical skills, and it integrates cleanly with your vehicle’s existing 12V battery.
The key benefit is pure convenience and accessibility. It makes the dump feature usable for everyone, regardless of strength. The primary consideration is ensuring you buy a kit rated for the weight capacity of your specific UTV bed. Overloading an underpowered actuator is a recipe for failure, so matching the kit to your machine is critical.
Gorilla Carts GOR800-COM: Durable Steel Hauling
For those who prioritize durability above all else, the Gorilla Carts GOR800-COM is a fantastic tow-behind option. Its rugged steel mesh bed is built to handle abuse, from sharp rocks to heavy tools, without cracking or breaking like some plastic tubs can. This makes it a great multi-purpose hauler for general farm chores beyond just the chicken coop.
The quick-release dumping mechanism is simple and effective, allowing you to empty a full load with minimal effort. The cart’s sides can also be removed, converting it into a flatbed trailer for hauling larger, awkwardly shaped items like fence posts or a small chicken tractor. This versatility is a major plus.
The steel construction means it’s heavier than its poly-tub counterparts and can be prone to rust if not stored properly. However, for hauling heavy, abrasive materials, the strength of steel is a significant advantage. It’s a no-frills, high-capacity solution for tough jobs.
Choosing Your Dump Bed: Capacity and Compatibility
Selecting the right dump bed kit comes down to matching the tool to your specific machine and your most common chores. There is no single "best" option, only the best option for your situation. Before you buy, think through these key factors.
First, consider capacity in practical terms. Don’t just look at the cubic feet; think about what you actually move. Will it hold four bags of pine shavings? Can it handle a full clean-out from your 10-hen coop? Overbuying on capacity means you’re pulling extra weight, while underbuying leads to extra trips.
Second, confirm compatibility with your vehicle. This is non-negotiable.
- For ATV/UTV systems: Check the mounting requirements. Does it use a 2-inch receiver hitch or a specific vehicle mount?
- For tow-behinds: Ensure your mower or UTV has the correct hitch type and the power to pull a fully loaded trailer up the steepest grade on your property.
- For electric kits: Verify that your vehicle’s electrical system can support the power draw of the actuator or winch.
Finally, be honest about your needs. Do you need a multi-implement system for future tasks, or is a simple, dedicated dump trailer all you’ll ever use? Answering that question will guide you toward a solution that saves you time and effort for years to come.
Ultimately, the right dump bed kit isn’t just about moving stuff. It’s about reducing the physical toll of homesteading, making daily chores quicker and less daunting. By investing in a tool that handles the heavy lifting, you’re really investing in your own longevity and enjoyment of keeping a flock.
