I have some suggestions as well..
What to look for on pre-trip of a dump trailer..
– Check frame for any cracks if you have a dump trailer that has a frame
– Make sure your dump body goes up (before loading) and your tailgate opens (even more so if it is a hydraulic lift gate
– Check the back pivot point and make sure there is no damage or cracks this is very important the whole trailer is pivoting on that one spot (unless you have a frame less where the tandems move with the trailer)
– Make sure you have enough hydraulics otherwise you can burn out the pump
As for dumping
– Watch out of the load gets stuck on the nose while in the air.. This makes for it being very top heavy and dangerous.. So be CAREFUL !!!!
– Make sure your on level ground as possible, this can’t not always be avoided in some areas but make sure it’s as level as possible.. If you feel it is unsafe then tell the customer that you want to dump somewhere level.. They will have loaders or dozers that can move the material.. It’s a lot cheaper for them to move it then to ruin a dump unit (and possibly the tractor)
– Make sure the ground is solid.. This can not always be avoided.. We have had a couple guys at work lift and the pavement as given out or the ground just sunk and next thing you know over she goes..
– If you ever get stuck and can’t move forward…. DO NOT have a loader pull you out with the box in the air always put the box down and then get pulled out.. A guy just this last year at work and flipped the tractor and trailer.. Did lots of damage..
– If you dump in populated areas then make sure no one is too close to the unit… Cause you could kill someone if it flips overs.. When I am dumping compost in parking lots for events I tell everyone to move back far enough that way if it does go over they will not get killed..
Like the others have said… There is lots of variables when doing the end dumps.. You have different types of materials (I haul organic food waste, broken glass and compost)… If your in the construction industry then you can be hauling soil, dirt, rocks, crushed stone etc….. So this all makes a difference.. As well as the terrain which you need to watch out for…
Again just take it slow.. There is no rush… Dump the bags on the tractor (and if you end up with a trailer with bags dump them as well, but I know you said spring so not much you can do there)… When the load goes up it just makes is easier on the tractor bags as said before then will over extended as the body raises.. Plus it makes it more stable because the tractor is not basically like solid suspension…
Good luck with your new line of work…
Leave a Reply