History of the Self Dumping Hoppers

Posted by rauramh on November 1st, 2014

If you've got yourself a self-dumping hopper, or are considering purchasing one, it may help to know the history of this crucial forklift accessory. Self-dumping hoppers are integral to any material handling endeavor, as they provide an ease of use that works in tandem with forklifts to provide the ultimate in efficiency. Typically used for transporting materials from one place to another, self-dumping hoppers are typically seen in warehouses, construction sites, scrap yards, recycling centers and other industrial or commercial applications. Just when did these hoppers become so vital to the seamless operation of a company? Turns out, it goes back to the beginning of the 20th century.

An Accessory Born of Necessity

There have been many manufacturers over the years that have created and sold their own version of self dumping hoppers, but perhaps one of the oldest producers of material handling products is Roura Material Handling, founded in Detroit back in 1915. This company, like many others, first started out fabricating steel for buildings and bridges, but eventually progressed to self-dumping hoppers during World War II to capitalize on the many defense projects needed at this time. Rewind just a little bit to the 1920s and 30s when the focus was starting to move away from structural steel and into more compartmentalized steel boxes that could provide operators with a means to transport materials and waste. This is when the first prototypes of the self-dumping hoppers we see today began to emerge.

The Timing was Right

The emergence of the self-dumping hopper occurred right about the time that its companion machine - the forklift - underwent some major production-increasing changes to include the use of the standardized pallet in 1930 and throughout World War II, according to How Stuff Works. This represented a huge step forward in the ability to move heavy loads more efficiently in a time when the country needed it most. Forklifts and hoppers became increasingly vital to warehouse operations at this time of expansion, as facilities couldn't expand outward due to space and land being at a premium. Instead, they built up, which facilitated the use of these machines and accessories. Less time hauling and dumping waste by hand - which was nearly impossible by this point anyway - led to an exponential increase in production value. Many models and versions of hoppers have accumulated through the years, with many going through engineering redesigns to be honed as the workhorses of the industrial and commercial world.

About the Author:

This article is written by Mike Genter, who is associated with Roura Material Handling. Roura Material Handling produces a large variety of self dumping hoppers including durable hoppers, rugged hoppers, ultimate hoppers, behemoth hoppers as well as custom and specialty dumping hoppers for both commercial and industrial use.