What Is a Dump Truck?
A dump truck is a construction vehicle primarily used for transporting materials such as soil, crushed stone, and industrial waste on construction sites.
At the rear of the dump truck, there is a loading platform for carrying materials. This platform can be raised and lowered, allowing for easy unloading by tilting the platform when raised. The term “dump” refers to the action of unloading materials all at once.
Uses of Dump Trucks
The primary use of dump trucks is in transporting soil generated from excavation and digging operations on construction sites. Additionally, they are employed for transporting crushed stone from quarries and clearing snow in snowy regions, among various other applications.
Depending on the type, dump trucks are also utilized for transporting items like mini hydraulic shovels or forklifts. The versatility of dump trucks allows for various applications based on their size and type.
Principles of Dump Trucks
The distinctive feature of raising the loading platform, known as the dump-up mechanism, involves engaging the PTO switch and lifting the dump lever to raise the platform. PTO, short for Power Take-Off, converts the engine’s power into operational power and is crucial for this function.
The loading platform is raised and lowered by extending and retracting hydraulic cylinders using hydraulic power. Lifting the lever raises the platform, while lowering the lever lowers the platform.
Structure of Dump Trucks
The structure of dump trucks consists of a chassis with a body superimposed on it. The chassis refers to the cabin (driver’s seat) and the vehicle frame (skeleton). The chassis requires high rigidity to support the mounted body.
The body of the dump Ttruck is the loading platform mounted on the chassis. The platform includes side-opening and rear-opening tailgates, as well as a spill prevention device called a spill guard to prevent materials from spilling over the top.
Types of Dump Trucks
In addition to the size of the vehicle, dump trucks come in various types suitable for specific applications.
1. Standard Dump Truck
This type is the most commonly seen dump truck capable of road travel. It comes in small, medium, and large sizes, often referred to as soil dump trucks or rear dump trucks.
2. Heavy Dump Truck
Used in large-scale construction sites such as dam construction, this enormous dump truck has a maximum payload ranging from 20 tons to over 300 tons. It is essential for large construction sites but prohibited from regular road travel.
3. Sand and Gravel Dump Truck
Designed for transporting materials other than soil, the sides and rear tailgate of this dump truck are higher. It is suitable for carrying relatively lightweight items such as feed, fertilizer, wood chips, and industrial waste. It is also known as a deep dump truck.
4. Loader Dump Truck
Besides tilting, this dump truck has a feature to slide the platform backward. This design allows the rear of the platform to touch the ground, making it useful for transporting mini shovels or forklifts.
It is a versatile dump truck suitable for transporting soil and machinery. It is also known as a slide dump.
5. Triple Dump Truck
This dump truck can tilt the platform in three directions: rear, left, and right, allowing for a broader range of unloading. While it has advantages in narrow construction sites and busy street construction sites, its complex structure makes it prone to breakdowns, and repairs can be costly.
6. L-Gate Dump Truck
Unlike the standard dump truck, this type has a rear gate that opens downward. While the standard dump truck opens the rear gate upward from the top pivot point, the L-Gate dump truck opens the rear gate downward from the bottom. The design allows for an open space without height restrictions, facilitating the unloading of large rocks and other items.
7. Reinforced Dump Truck
Designed for transporting hard loads like stones and rocks, this dump truck has a reinforced bed. The bed floor is strengthened, providing greater durability compared to a standard bed.
Other Information on Dump Trucks
1. License Requirements for Driving Dump Trucks
To drive a dump truck, a specific license is required, and the type of license varies based on the size of the dump truck. Additionally, there are rules and requirements for operating dump trucks.
Quasi-medium license (limited to under 5 tons) / Quasi-medium license
Under the Road Traffic Act, a quasi-medium license (limited to under 5 tons) or a quasi-medium license is required for driving a small dump truck.
Medium license
For driving a medium dump truck with a total vehicle weight of 5 tons or more but less than 11 tons (or under 8 tons in the case of an 8-ton limit), a medium license is necessary.
Large license
A large license is required for driving a large dump truck with a total vehicle weight exceeding 11 tons.
2. Display Number for Dump Trucks
To operate dump trucks categorized as large dump trucks with a weight exceeding 11 tons on public roads, approval from the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is required. This involves obtaining a display number and affixing it to the vehicle. Additionally, the transport of loads exceeding the maximum payload is prohibited by law.