If you’re looking to buy your first dump truck, there are a lot of options to consider. New or used? On road or off road? Capacity? Horsepower? Rated payload? Number of Axles? The right dump truck for your business depends on your application.
Jim Carver, New Products Engineer at Papé Machinery Construction & Forestry, has put together some helpful advice on the subject. Read on to learn about the most important specs to consider when comparing new or used dump trucks for sale.
On-Highway or Off-Highway
One of the easiest ways to begin narrowing down your search is to think about the type of dump truck you will need. If you will need a dump truck to haul material long distances on smooth gravel or sealed roads, an on-road dump truck option like the Kenworth T800 is compliant with traffic laws and can be operated by a licensed commercial driver on roadways. If you need a dump truck to move large loads in rough terrain, an articulated dump truck like the John Deere 370E, is considered one of the best dump trucks for construction businesses.
Capacity
The next spec to consider is capacity. What will you be hauling and how much? John Deere articulated dump trucks range in heaped capacity from 19.6 cubic yards up to 33.4 cubic yards. The larger the capacity, the fewer trips your truck will have to take to move your material from point A to point B, but a larger dump truck than you need comes with greater operating costs.
Flotation
“Flotation relates to ability to float on top of a given surface that is being used as a road to transport a payload,” explains Carver. Very soft underfoot conditions, like mud, require a low PSI (Pounds per Square Inch), while a paved surface would be okay with a high PSI.
Understanding your float needs will help you determine your tire size and axle requirements. “Tire size equates to PSI. Ground contact in PSI will be the same or very close to the air pressure in the tire. Large tires typically are rated at low air pressure because the area of the tire adds up to many square inches of ground contact.”
Need more information on these specs or want more information about other dump truck configuration options? Your local dealer, Papé Machinery Construction & Forestry, can provide more detail and help you find the best new or used dump truck options for your business.
