Dump truck is a term broadly used to describe two different vehicles which are used on construction sites. Dumpers are small, one man vehicles used to carry loads of building supplies and waste to and from sites. Dump trucks are much larger vehicles which are used for transporting building materials to construction sites. The following is a brief overview of how dump trucks can help you on site.

Dump trucks are useful for transporting large loads of loose building materials on and off site such as gravel, earth or sand. Dump trucks are instantly recognisable by the large box shaped container positioned at the back of the truck.

The container can be raised and lowered by hydraulics so that loads of aggregate can be dumped easily without having to be manually dug out of the container. The back door of the box is on hinges so as the weight of the material tips against the door it props open allowing for a controllable flow of its contents.

Dump trucks are available in a variety of different specifications for different roles in construction and building supply. Here is a rundown of some of the most commonly used dump trucks on site.

• Standard dump trucks have an appearance similar to a normal truck. This is as they are modelled on a full length truck chassis with the hydraulically operated dump box on the back. The leverage of the box is controlled by a hydraulic mechanism which is located between the cab of the truck and the dumping box at the back. Standard dump trucks have two front wheels mounted on the front axle and between four to eight on the back spread over one or two axles. Depending on road conditions and load weight up to three axles can be fitted.
• Articulated dump trucks are different to other kinds of dump trucks as the cab is fixed to the truck and is irremovable. Articulated dump trucks are steered using hydraulic rams that pivot the cab on a point as opposed to steering using the front axle. This increased handling helps give articulated dump trucks improved handling over rough and uneven grounds giving a clear advantage on undeveloped sites.
• Transfer dump truck is a name given to a dump truck which tows a detachable trailer used for storing aggregate. The trailer is used as a container and is powered by an electric motor. Rollers are used to transfer aggregate from the trailer to the dump truck.