Straight Dump Newbie

Yes exactly thank you.I'm not good with words figure op would ask the company about the oil.

 

Something I learned the hard way be extra careful if you haul moist / wet dirt. I used to run dumps doing utility work in N. E., especially after winter the dirt can get wet. Wet dirt likes create a suction in the body.

Started to tip a fully loaded 95 mack triaxle right on its ###. Body went up, something didn't feel right, next thing I knew the front tires were fully off the ground and was getting nothing but the night sky. I quickly slammed the body back down. Saved it from going all the way back in its ###.

Would have sucked. Working the night shift, yard is dark and you the only one there.

 

My great aunt always told me... dog gone it boy, take me for what I mean not what I say lol . I was reading between the lines .

 

Dump the rear suspension before the body goes up.

Tie up mudflaps.

73,280 pound triaxle likes to keep going foward when you want her to stop, so give plenty of room in front of you for any ######## and even for normal braking to stop at a light etc.

Dont be these super truckers and not secure your tailgate while running loaded. The turnbuckles are there for a reason, use em.

 

A point to add about the triaxle going straight. It's better to lift that stinger axle briefly on turns than it is to hit the light poll in front of you because the road is wet, you have the steering wheel cranked to the left and it's still going straight.

 

I like your aunt lol

 

Trainer to trainee, dam it boy don't do what Im about to do. You will learn why someday. But today is not the time for questions.

 

I thought of a couple more things. These are just things I've seen on our dumps. We run a couple of transfers and have some end dumps too.
Watch for hydraulic oil leaks on your ram. A little film of oil is good but if theres oil shooting out, especially around the stage collars, tell the shop about it.
Somebody mentioned bouncing the box to get the load out. That's not a real good idea. It puts wear and tear on the attach points at the rear of the box that the box hinges on.
When your ram stages top out or when the box is all the way up, don't keep holding the dump lever in the up position. It's hard on the hydraulics.
If you're hauling wet or sticky material make sure the material is flowing as soon as you raise the box. If a load sticks in the box it can pull you over sideways. That makes the owner, not to mention the mechanics, really grumpy.
Use your head, have fun, be careful. Dump work is one of the easiest ways to go trucking.

 

Engage your PTO when you are stopped but before you shift to neutral.

When you unlock the gate make sure you see the actuator move in your mirror.

Watch your overhead.

Verify the gate is latched again and the rear of the truck is cleaned of any loose gravel before your get back on the road.

Make sure you disengage the PTO before you leave the dump site.

Those are the steps that trip up most rookies, there are a few others when a Transfer is involved but those things are easy to mess up on.

 

Make sure all the gears in the tranny have stopped spinning before engaging the PTO.