Construction Vehicles: The Dump Truck

Because the dump truck is such a useful vehicle, it has been configured in many different varieties. This allows you to choose a dump truck that will specifically fit the needs of the task at hand. The common varieties of dump trucks are as follows: standard dump truck, transfer dump truck, the semi-trailer end, the semi-trailer bottom, double and triple trailer, side dump truck and the off-road dump truck.

The Standard Dump Truck

With the standard dump truck, the dump body is mounted onto a full truck chassis frame. The dump body is operated by a hydraulic ram lift that gets mounted in front of the bulkhead, usually found between the truck cab and the dump body itself. This mechanism is used to raise and lower the dump body. The standard dump truck has one front axle and possibly one or more rear axles, with dual wheels located on each side. The standard dump truck can be configured for a six wheeler and a ten wheeler.

The Transfer Dump Truck

The transfer dump truck is easily recognized because of the extreme noise it produces during transferring jobs. The transfer dump truck is similar to the standard dump truck, except it pulls a separate trailer. The transfer dump truck is commonly used to transfer loads like sand, asphalt, gravel and dirt.

Fitted on the trailer of a transfer dump truck is the B-box or aggregated container, which is powered through an electric motor. It rides upon wheels and will roll off the trailer into the main dump box. The main advantage of using a transfer dump truck is that it maximizes the payload capacity without any loss in maneuverability. The Semi-Trailer End Dump Truck

The semi-trailer end dump truck combines the dump truck with a tractor-trailer. The trailer contains the hydraulic hoist system. The standard and average semi-trailer end dump truck have a three-axle tractor, which pulls a two-axle semi-trailer. The benefit of this type of dump truck is that the combination allows for rapid unloading.

The Semi-Trailer Bottom Dump Truck

With a bottom dump truck, you have a three-axle tractor pulling a two-axle trailer. The semi-trailer bottom dump truck has a clam shell-like dump gate located in the stomach of the trailer. This type of dump truck does have an advantage because it is able to lay the material it is carrying in a wind row. Unlike other dump trucks, the semi-trailer bottom dump truck is maneuverable in reverse.

The Double and Triple Trailer

These types of dump trucks have a two-axle tractor that pulls a semi-axle semi-trailer as well as additional trailers when needed. The driver and operator of this vehicle is able to lay material in wind rows and not have to leave the cab or even stop the truck. However, there is a disadvantage with this dump truck -- the double and triple trailer dump truck has a difficult time going in reverse.

The Side Dump Truck

The side dump truck has a three-axle trailer that pulls a two-axle semi-trailer. It also has hydraulic rams, which are designed to tilt the dump body on its side. This mechanism empties the material to either the left or the right side of the dump truck trailer. The benefits of the side dump truck are that it is quick to unload and can carry the most weight out of any other dump truck.

The side dump truck is also safe, as it is impossible to tip it over while dumping. Other semi-end dump trucks are more prone to tipping over. Unfortunately, the downside of this dump truck is that its length makes it difficult to maneuver.

The Off-Road Dump Truck