Trying to find out the rarity of this truck

[fastEdsel]

Yes there were lifts to lift the whole front end of the truck to dump out its load of grain, or that is what I was always used to seeing. The front axle was driven over a platform, the elevator agent would activate a compressed air piston, usually at least a 12", and after the end gate was opened the grain freely flowed out. When the box was empty and the corners shovelled out the truck was slowly lowered. The big rig hoists I have only seen pictures, and as invention is the mother of necessity, are a true marvel for a quick turn around of the unit and also for the safety of the truck and associated people around it not have to look for a top heavy truck box coming at them. But for this Farm and Ranch Special I was intrigued by the end gate. Certainly, and I have seen them, there are hoists built into the frame and the reason for that is to keep the profile of the truck low and all the lines matching. They worked great for small loads as this truck would have carried. The giveaway was a black knob and a red knob bolted just above the brake release. The red knob activated the PTO (power take off) which turned a pump for the hydraulic oil and the black knob controlled the position of the box for raising, hold or lower. My Grandfather built a portable hoist for his pair of '38's (sounds like my first blind date). When our Mercury trucks came in '49 they had Edwards Tippers on them which was a three stage telescoping hoist, bolted to the front of the boxes, and were very smooth. The Mercury's were M135 and M155. 239 flathead V8's, 4 speed straight cut geared transmissions and the 155 had a vacuum two speed axle that would push that old truck easily to 75 mph, empty of course.