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Does anyone have plans to make a sand loading device for these events?

I don't have any schematics, but I did post some pics of the hopper I built in the Boomilever image gallery. You should be able to figure it out from the pictures, but feel free to ask if you have any questions.

Images from the Image Gallery, possibly those posted by Azn.

Yup those are mine. I would be more than happy to help anyone who wants to try and build a hopper

How did you make the device that stops the sand?

bernard wrote:How did you make the device that stops the sand?

If I remember correctly, the curved part that stops sand is sometimes made from a section of a PVC pipe.

I've had better luck using a knife valve as opposed to a flapper valve as shown... My flapper always kicked sand everywhere when it snaps shut... The problem with a knife valve is that you need to position the actual "knife" far enough up the tube so there is never a chance of finger amputation! We have ours attached to a spring, and when the structure breaks, the supervisor can pull a string which immediately disconnects the knife valve from the student lever and allows the valve to snap shut. This eliminates any possibility of excess sand being run into the bucket after failure (in theory). Also, we use a "Black Diamond" sand blasting sand. no dust and a little larger grains, so there is minimal leakage around the valve blade. We bought ours a TSC.

Thanks for the tip on the sand, we've always had issues with that. Also, what do you think about setting a switch or similar on the floor and letting that string snap shut when the bucket hits the floor? (I just think it'd be neat, and I've been bored as of late )

If anyone is interested in the "official" sand loader used at competition, you can buy one at http://www.cbhoppers.com/ . It costs a substantial amount though, over 600 dollars I believe not including shipping and handling.

We team had one of those (or has, I guess) it's very sturdy and all, but it really dont like the gate on it and for the price it could be a built a little nicer (of course, I don't know if ours is as it came or had been changed up, so there's that).