Dump trucks (aka production trucks) are used for transporting loose materials, including sand, dirt, and gravel for construction projects.
A typical dump truck is fitted with a hydraulically operated open box bed located at the back. The front can be lifted to drop contents to the ground at the site of delivery.
Dump trucks come in a wide variety of configurations. Each one is built to accomplish certain jobs in the construction chain.
Standard dump truck
The standard dump truck is equipped with full truck chassis. The dump body is securely mounted onto the frame. The dump shovel is lifted by a hydraulic ram lift that is located in front of the front bulkhead, usually between the truck cab and dump body.
The standard dump truck has one front axle, and one or more rear axles. The back typically has dual wheels on each side. Common styles for standard dump trucks include the 6-wheeler and 10-wheeler.
Transfer dump truck
The transfer dump truck is recognizable by the loud sounds it makes. It’s a standard dump truck built to pull a trailer. The trailer can be filled with sand, asphalt, dirt, gravel, seal coating materials, and more.
The B box (or aggregate container) of the trailer is powered by an electric motor. It rides on wheels and rolls off the trailer and into the main dump box.
The greatest benefit of this configuration is that it maximizes payload capacity without sacrificing the maneuverability of the short and nimble standard dump truck.
Semi trailer end dump truck
The semi end dump truck is a tractor trailer combo. The trailer is home to the hydraulic hoist.
A typical semi end truck has a 3-axle tractor that transports a 2-axle semi trailer. The advantage of a semi end dump truck is its ability to deliver rapid unloading.
Semi trailer bottom dump truck
A bottom dump truck is a 3-axle tractor that pulls a 2-axle trailer, The trailer has a clam shell type dump gate in its belly.
The chief advantage of a semi bottom truck is the ability to drop materials in a wind row. This truck can also move in reverse as, unlike the double and triple trailer styles.
These trucks are often used for jobs done by the blacktop paving contractors in Beaumont, Texas.
Double and triple trailer
The double and triple bottom dump trucks is made up of a 2-axle tractor that pulls a semi axle semi trailer and an additional trailer.
These dump trucks give the driver the ability to lay materials in wind rows without leaving the cab or stopping the truck. A huge disadvantage is the truck’s difficulty in moving in reverse.
Side dump trucks
Side dump trucks have a 3-axle trailer pulling a 2-axle semi trailer. It comes with hydraulic rams that tilt the dump body onto its side. This tipping drops materials on either side of the trailer.
The biggest benefit of a side dump truck is that it can quickly unload and pull more weight than most other trucks
Additionally, side dump trucks are nearly impossible to tip while dumping. That is not the case with semi end dump trucks, which are prone to being tipped.
The length of these trucks, however, limit maneuverability and versatility.
Off road dump trucks
Off road trucks more resemble heavy duty construction equipment than they do normal highway dump trucks. They are used specifically for off road mining and heavy dirt hauling , such as excavation jobs.
They are very large and ideal for digging out roads and hauling the massive amounts of materials to another location.