A dump truck can be an important piece of equipment for a business owner. If it is out of commission, your business will suffer. To prevent downtime, it’s important to ensure your dump truck is well maintained.
- Keep watch on the tires – On average, dump truck tires should be good for about 80,000 miles. Keep an eye on wear so that you don’t end up needing to replace one unexpectedly.
- Check for Hydraulic leaks – Properly working hydraulics are critical to the truck’s ability to do its job. On a daily basis, the driver should check for hydraulic fluid leaks. Hydraulic cylinders should be replaced regularly to keep the tipper in good working order.
- Check electrical systems monthly. Look for dirt, moisture and frayed wires.
- Check brakes and brake air pressure daily.
- Check backup alarm.
Maintain a Proper Inventory of Spare Parts
When you do find something that needs to be replaced, it’s important to have items on hand so that the replacement can happen immediately and the truck can get back on the road. Here are items you need to stock.
- Tires – With ten tires, dump trucks need replacements frequently. Because of the size of the tires, it may be difficult to get tires quickly, making it a good idea to have a couple of replacements on hand.
- Hydraulic cylinders – Get a couple of extra hydraulic cylinders as well as some hydraulic fluid to keep in the shop. You may need to order your hydraulic cylinders from the manufacturer, so lead time may be a few days.
- Motor oil – Your dump truck is likely to use a different type of motor oil than some of your other vehicles, so keep some on hand.
- Brake Fluid
Teach Safety
Mechanics and operators should be well trained in safety. Dump trucks can be especially dangerous, particularly when operators fail to heed safety precautions. Hand signals are important, particularly before backing up the truck.
Make sure that all operators understand how the truck’s hydraulic cylinders work. Dump mechanisms operated by hydraulics can pose a serious threat of injury.
Armed with regular inspections, replacement parts and safety information, you should be well on your way to keeping your dump truck in good working order. This piece of machinery is the lifeline of your business. Keep it properly maintained so that it can provide good service for many years.
