Dump trucks have a variety of uses, but in order to understand them all, it is important to first understand what a dump truck is. Essentially, a dump truck is any type of truck that is equipped with a dump bed, as well as the power and necessary components to tilt and empty the bed. The dump bed is typically a tub-shaped construction that is designed for transporting loose items, such as soil, sand, or rocks, and then dumping them out of the rear of the truck.
Hauling is indeed the primary function of dump trucks and is the reason why they are valued in the construction industry. They are specifically designed to transport loose and often abrasive materials such as rocks of various sizes, sand, dirt, and demolition debris. Dump trucks are commonly used in a range of heavy-duty applications including mining, quarry, excavation, earthmoving, roadwork, and demolition projects. Their ability to transport and dump large quantities of materials in a relatively short amount of time makes them an indispensable tool in the construction industry.
There are three types of dedicated dump trucks, and all of them are strictly off-road vehicles. Rigid haul trucks (RHTs) carry loads weighing hundreds of tons and get employed in the largest mines. Articulated dump trucks (ADTs) have a carrying capacity of 10-60 tons, as do underground articulated dump trucks (UADTs), which are also called a low-profile ADT.
However, any on-road truck from the largest commercial class size down to your pickup can be equipped with a dump body, thereby converting it into a dump truck. Most commercial truck manufacturers offer their own dump bodies. So you can order a truck with a dump body or find one on the lot at your local dealership. Carrying capacities for these vehicles range from two tons on the smaller pickups to 22 tons on the larger commercial trucks.
The Uses of Dump Trucks
As mentioned, the uses of dump trucks expands more than just one area of operation. Here are some job sites where you’ll find dump trucks:
Underground mines and tunnels
Underground dump trucks are used to transfer blasted debris away from the blast site and drilled material away from a drill site. When they move excavated material from a site to a designated dump area, this is usually above ground where it gets processed by a crusher.
Open pit mines and quarries
On an open pit mine or quarry, RHTs and ADTs perform the same tasks as the underground mine, but do so completely above ground. Either an excavator or a wheel loader bundles the material into the dump truck and the dump truck discards it into a pile.
Excavation
Sometimes gigantic swaths of earth need to be removed before something can be constructed. In this application, a dump truck pulls up to an excavator and the excavator loads the truck bed with earth. The dump bed is filled within four to six passes of the excavator bucket. Then the truck goes to its destination, dumps its load, and returns to the excavator to repeat the process. While the truck was driving to the dump site, one or more other dump trucks have been loaded by the excavator and were repeating the same cycle.
Earthmoving
Earthmoving is similar to excavation except excavation has the sole purpose of removing earth. On the other hand, earthmoving is a more general term that includes excavation but also contouring the landscape.
Landscaping
Dump trucks deliver and place dirt, mulch, decorative stones, and other landscaping material.
Roadwork
Dump trucks often bring the rocks that get placed below a new road or highway construction. They crudely lay the rocks in place before the paver forms the top layer.
Construction
In construction applications, trucks are used to haul away debris and larger disposable items from the worksite.
Demolition
Dump beds are ideal for large demolition debris. They are easy to fill using an excavator or loader and are built to withstand abrasive materials. Also, they travel at highway speed so you can remove the debris quickly and be ready for the next task.
Conclusion
Dump trucks are versatile vehicles that are used in a variety of heavy-duty applications. They are designed to transport and dump loose materials, and can be converted from on-road trucks to dump trucks by equipping them with a dump body.