dump truck( quad and tri axles

Keep your payment as low as possible..... For the slow weeks/ months.

I'd take a look at the newer Mack's with the m- drive. Not sure I'd buy one thou ....

 

Macks are good, typical work horse chassis but it really shines in the engine department. Cambleback fitted on most of their trucks are crap and you can expect to replace it several times over the life of the truck.

Volvos/peterbilts are worth a look, for sure.

I'd side with a western star if you want reliability, easy repair and longevity. But you'll need somewhat deep pockets to grab yourself one, and more importantly, keep it in the off season.

 

Make sure you buy a truck with a 18,000 or 20,000 pound front axle. Any thing lighter will be too light.

An Eaton/Fuller 8LL is an excellent transmission for a dump truck. The lower gears are great in soft ground
and is much easier on the clutch.

 

What type of hauling do you plan to do? Site work dirt hauling or are you going to be running for a quarry pulling tonnage? Site work i would look for a mack in good shape. If you are pulling the quarry loads you want light weight. I have done both and now I'm doing the tractor pulling a dump bucket. I've had enough of the site work and off road crap to say i'm staying on hard packed ground now. lol There are so many more opportunities out there for a tractor with a wet kit on it in my area. feed grain alloys etc mostly move in trailers.

 

Auto are nice for city work but suck the fuel on highway. I have 8ll and it's great but I would like a 13. Stay away from auto shifts. Allison the way to go if you want a auto. But there about ten grand more for a truck. I would go with anything 03 and older no emissions crap to worry about. Only thing about Mack's nobody stocks parts. Sterling some parts are getting hard to find. kW or Pete your paying for the name. Get something that you like

 

3/8" or double frame, Heavy front axle, setbacks help but the world goes on without them. 18 speeds are nice. Engines are kinda a choice, Cat is King, you've got your 'Cat killin Cummins's', etc... Spring suspension is better than air, but like above, the world goes on with air ride dump trucks, I drive one everyday. Chalmers, Hendrickson Haulmaax, Mack's Camelback do well. Air ride's, I've drove a few, mostly Pete Air Trac, it's what I have in mine and I like it. Not sure what state you're from or what states you plan on working in so I can't really offer suggestions as to wheelbase and axle setups.