Used Dump Trucks
By Hanna Nilson
Used dump trucks are used
for many different purposes. Mostly, they’re used to help move and
transport heavy loads for construction. However, used dump trucks
aren’t always the safest vehicles, especially if they aren’t managed
and taken care of properly.
If you currently work with any
type of used dump truck, you may find it useful to know that dump
trucks can actually be pretty dangerous. If you’re not careful, used
dump trucks can easily tip and cause accidents during the loading and
dumping process because they are so difficult to maneuver.
The United States
Department of Transportation (USDOT) reports that more that
500,000 truck accidents happen each year. Furthermore, of these
500,000; there is the high number of fatalities in the average amount
of 5,000 each year. Unfortunately, these numbers are increasing as
dump trucks continue to get larger.
The Dump Trucks Safety
Group reports that the most common cause for used dump truck
dangers are due to vehicle instability. You may not think it, but
these guys suggest that maintenance plays an important role in
preventing your used pickup truck from toppling over. They offer a few
tips and tricks that might help to prevent such accidents:
- Check
tire pressures daily. Tire pressures
should be equal on each side of the used dump truck. If the tires
are uneven, you could drastically increase the chances of tipping
your used dump truck when on a hill, making a sharp turn or when
dropping-off materials.
- Examine
and lubricate pins and bushings regularly.
Doing so will allow the used dump truck to function
smoothly.
- Inspect
suspension systems. Check the suspension
under the load to ensure that they work properly and provide even
suspension. If you notice a weak suspension system, it should be
replaced immediately.
- Inspect
hoist cylinders regularly. Worn cylinders
should not be replaced with smaller cylinders or with cylinders
rated at lower operating pressure. It is always important to use the
right used truck parts
in order to make sure that the vehicle can function to its
maximum and safest capacity.
- Make sure
that repairs to boxes leave bottom and sides clear and unrestricted.
This seemingly obvious precaution shouldn’t be taken for granted.
Always make sure that any work you have done on your used pickup
truck is done by a professional who has experience working with
trucks. If box or cargo area reconstruction is done carelessly,
rough patchwork repairs, especially near the top of the box, can
catch and hold sticky materials.
Driving a used dump truck is
especially tricky because they’re usually not in the best condition.
Being a work vehicle, these trucks often get overused. To avoid the
chances of being in an accident, truck drivers are well trained on
managing the vehicle properly. However, even for professionals can tip
the vehicle over by driving the used dump truck on even the slightest
slopes. This is because as the truck operates on a hill its center of
gravity can easily shift and therefore tip over.
Regardless of any dangers that
may be affiliated with driving used dump trucks, as long as the driver
is cautious, there should be no reason for tipping or getting into
accidents. Also, if the used dump truck is properly taken care of,
then the risks of getting into an accident can be significantly
lowered. Remember, even the simple things like uneven tire pressure
could lead to more damage. So, get the job done, but get it done
safely.
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