Dump Truck

What is a Dump Truck

A dump truck, also known as a dumper/tipper truck in some regions, is a robust vehicle specifically designed to transport loose materials across construction and mining sites. These materials often include dirt, gravel, sand, coal, and more.
Featuring an open-box bed that’s hinged at the rear, dump trucks employ hydraulic rams to lift the front of the bed, which allows the material in the bed to be ‘dumped’ on the ground behind the truck at the site of delivery.
It is one of the more popular commercial motor vehicles (CMV).

Design and Components

Most dump trucks have a boxy appearance, primarily due to their purpose-built design. They consist of a cab, an engine, a chassis, a hydraulic system, and a large dump body at the rear that can carry heavy loads.

There are several different kinds of dump trucks, each designed for a specific task or tasks. These range from smaller pickup truck sized vehicles often used in municipal services and small construction jobs, to enormous commercial trucks used for large scale industrial projects.

Types of Dump Trucks

1. Standard Dump Truck: This is the most common type of dump truck. It has a full truck chassis with a dump body attached to the frame and is widely used for transporting and dumping a large amount of material.

2. Articulated Dump Truck: Also known as an “ADT,” these are typically used in challenging conditions and terrains, such as muddy and rugged construction sites. They are designed with a hinge between the cab and the dump box, but unlike a semi-trailer truck, both the cab and the dump body are powered by the same engine.

3. Transfer Dump Truck: This type of dump truck is a standard dump truck with a separate trailer carrying another dump body, effectively doubling the load that can be carried.

4. Superdump Truck: A superdump is a straight dump truck equipped with a trailing axle, a load-bearing axle rated as high as 13,000 pounds.

5. Semi-trailer End Dump Truck: A side dump truck where the dump feature is a hydraulic ram in the trailer itself. When the hydraulic ram is activated, the trailer tips to the side to deposit the load.

The Purpose of Dump Trucks

The primary purpose of a dump truck is to move and unload various loose materials over short distances. This could be from one location on a construction site to another, or from a construction site to a landfill or recycling center. Here are some of the main uses:

1. Construction: Dump trucks are essential for construction sites as they’re used for transporting various loose materials like sand, gravel, or dirt that are required for construction.

2. Mining: In the mining industry, dump trucks are used to move large amounts of earth and minerals from one location to another.

3. Waste Management: Dump trucks are often used in waste management services to carry municipal solid waste to landfills.

4. Road Construction: These trucks are crucial in road construction, where they carry asphalt and concrete.

5. Snowplowing: In some regions, dump trucks are fitted with snowplows and used to clear snowfall from roads.

Dump Truck License Requirements

1. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): You must have a CDL to drive a dump truck in the United States. Since dump trucks often exceed the weight limit of vehicles that can be operated with a standard driver’s license, a CDL is necessary. The specific class of CDL (Class B or Class A) will depend on the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the dump truck and any equipment it tows. 
2. Endorsements: Depending on the specific type of dump truck and the material being hauled, additional endorsements may be required. For example, if the dump truck is equipped with air brakes, you will need an air brake endorsement.

The Bottom Line

Dump trucks are indispensable in industries that require the transport and dumping of loose materials. Their design allows for efficient loading, transport, and unloading, making these trucks a cost-effective solution for the transportation of such materials. Many industries like construction, mining, and waste management benefit from this CMV.

External Links

Video of a super dump truck by Dauminique – YouTube – click here.