Dump truck operators provide a specialized trucking service. They use specialty designed vehicles to transport bulk loose materials, such as sand, gravel, aggregate, or asphalt. Dump truck operators may also remove debris, trash, snow and ice, or other materials for disposal. Most dump truck operations are short haul operations; however, they may be interstate.
Facilities – Independent owner/operators of single vehicles may operate the business from a residence and park the vehicle in the driveway. They may also arrange to park the truck at a commercial facility. Larger fleet operations may maintain one or more business offices and parking areas for the vehicles. Dedicated facilities may have formal maintenance shops or service areas for the vehicles.
People – Dump trucks are commercial motor vehicles and must be operated by a person with a Commercial Drivers License (CDL). For larger dump trucks, drivers may be required to have a Group B [i.e., any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lb (11,794 kg) or more] CDL license, or a Group A [i.e., any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lb (11,794 kg) or more] CDL licenses. Drivers may learn their skills through private driver training schools, local trade schools or community colleges or through apprenticeship programs operated by local unions, such as those affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Fleet operations may also have vehicle mechanics and office personnel.
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Equipment – Dump truck operators may operate one of several types of dump trucks. These include standard dump trucks, articulated dump trucks, dump trailers, or transfer-dump trucks.
The standard dump truck or rigid dump truck is a truck chassis with a dump body mounted to the frame. The vehicle may have one, two, or three axles, depending upon its intended capacity. Gross vehicle weights (GVW) for on-road dump trucks can range from less than 32,000 lb (14,514 kg) to more than 80,000 lb (36,287 kg). The truck is equipped with a hydraulic operated ram, which can raise the end of the dump body to allow the contents to flow to the ground behind or beside the vehicle. Trucks that are designed so that the dump body is raised in the front, with a hinged rear, are called “end dumps.” Trucks that have dump bodies that can be raised on one side, with the other side hinged, are called “side dumps.”
Articulated dump trucks are dump trucks that have a hinge between the truck body and the truck cab. This allows the vehicle to have better traction and balance on rough terrain. Steering is accomplished using hydraulic rams, rather than traditional rack-and-pinion steering. Articulated trucks have been used primarily as off-road mining vehicles; however, they are becoming more prevalent in highway and construction projects because of their adaptability.
Dump trailers are tractor-trailer combinations wherein a two or three axle tractor pulls a one or more axle dump trailer. The trailer contains the hydraulic dumping mechanism. Dump trailers may be end dumps or the trailers may be configured for bottom dumping via clamshell openings in the bottom of the vehicle. Often, bottom dump trailers may be pulled in tandem.
Transfer-dump trucks are standard dump trucks that pull a separate trailer on which can be loaded a dump container. The dump container on the trailer rides on wheels and can be rolled off the trailer and into the main dump box, where it is locked-in-place and then unloaded.
Process – Most dump truck operations follow a similar process, regardless of commodity. The truck is driven to the site, where the material being transported will be transferred into the dump body. Transfer may be accomplished by parking the vehicle under a hopper or conveyor at a loading rack, or the truck may be loaded using cranes, skip-loaders, bulldozers, or other materials handling equipment. The truck is weighed to determine the load weight, and then driven to the site where it will be unloaded. Dump truck bodies may be tarped or covered to prevent loose materials from being blown from the vehicle while in transit or to protect the load from rain or other contamination. At the unloading site, the dumping mechanism is actuated and the material deposited on the ground below or adjacent to the vehicle. The driver and vehicle may have to wait in a queue until their vehicle may be unloaded. Loading and unloading sites may be reached via paved highways or may require the operator to drive on unpaved or temporary road surfaces.