Dump Truck FAQ

    There are many questions users want to know about dump trucks. Here LUEN answers frequently asked questions about trucks.

1. How do they change tires on a gigantic truck?

• Preparation:

• First, the truck needs to be parked on a level and stable surface. The area should be clear of any obstacles and have enough space for the technicians and equipment to work. For a gigantic truck, this might require a large service bay or an outdoor area with a firm base, like a concrete pad.

• The necessary tools are gathered, such as heavy - duty jacks (hydraulic jacks capable of lifting the weight of the truck), impact wrenches to remove and install lug nuts quickly, and safety equipment including wheel chocks to prevent the vehicle from rolling and safety cones to mark the work area.

• Lifting the Truck:

• Wheel chocks are placed around the wheels that will remain on the ground to prevent any accidental movement. The jack is then positioned under the appropriate lifting points of the truck's axle. For a large truck, it's crucial to use the correct lifting points specified by the manufacturer to ensure safety and avoid damage to the vehicle's structure.

• The truck is slowly lifted until the tire is off the ground by a sufficient margin to allow for tire removal and replacement. This may involve raising the truck several feet, depending on the size of the tire and the clearance needed.

• Removing the Old Tire:

• The lug nuts that hold the wheel in place are loosened using an impact wrench. In a large truck, these lug nuts can be very tight due to the heavy loads and forces the wheels experience. After the lug nuts are removed, the old tire and wheel assembly is carefully pulled off the axle and set aside.

  

• Installing the New Tire:

• The new tire, which should be of the correct size, load - rating, and type for the truck, is then aligned with the axle studs and pushed into place. The lug nuts are hand - tightened first to ensure the wheel is properly seated and then tightened to the specified torque using an impact wrench and a torque - limiting device.

• The torque is critical as over - tightening can lead to warped brake rotors or damaged studs, while under - tightening can cause the wheel to come loose during operation.

• Lowering the Truck:

• Once the new tire is installed and the lug nuts are properly tightened, the truck is slowly lowered back to the ground. The technician checks the tightness of the lug nuts again after the truck is on the ground to ensure that they haven't loosened during the settling process.

  
  

2. How many cubic yards in a dump truck?

• The volume of a dump truck can vary widely depending on its size and type. Smaller dump trucks may have a capacity of around 10 - 15 cubic yards, while medium - sized ones can hold 15 - 20 cubic yards. Large - scale construction dump trucks can have capacities ranging from 20 - 30 cubic yards or more.

• The volume is calculated based on the shape of the dump truck bed. Most dump truck beds are in the shape of a rectangular prism. The formula for the volume of a rectangular prism is V = l×w×h, where l is the length, w is the width, and h is the height of the bed. For example, if a dump truck bed has a length of 10 feet, a width of 8 feet, and a height of 4 feet, the volume in cubic feet is V = 10×8×4 = 320 cubic feet. Since 1 cubic yard is equal to 27 cubic feet, the volume in cubic yards is 320/27 ≈ 11.85 cubic yards.

3. How much does a dump truck weigh?

• The weight of a dump truck depends on several factors such as its size, the material it's made of, and whether it's empty or loaded.

• An empty small dump truck (with a capacity of around 10 - 15 cubic yards) might weigh between 10,000 - 15,000 pounds (4,536 - 6,804 kg). A medium - sized empty dump truck (15 - 20 cubic yards capacity) could weigh around 15,000 - 20,000 pounds (6,804 - 9,072 kg).

• When loaded, the weight can increase significantly. If a dump truck has a capacity of 20 cubic yards and is carrying a material like gravel with a density of around 2,800 pounds per cubic yard, the weight of the load would be 20×2,800 = 56,000 pounds. Adding this to the weight of an empty medium - sized truck (say 18,000 pounds), the total weight when loaded could be around 74,000 pounds (33,566 kg).

  

4. How many tons does a dump truck hold?

• As mentioned above, the capacity in tons depends on the volume of the dump truck and the density of the material being carried.

• Using the previous example, if a dump truck has a 20 - cubic - yard capacity and is carrying gravel with a density of about 1.4 tons per cubic yard (since 1 ton = 2000 pounds and the density of gravel is about 2800 pounds per cubic yard), the truck can hold 20×1.4 = 28 tons of gravel.

• For other materials with different densities, the capacity in tons will change accordingly. For example, sand is generally less dense than gravel, so a dump truck will hold a different amount of sand in tons compared to gravel for the same volume.

5. Do you need a CDL to drive a dump truck?

• In most cases, you need a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to drive a dump truck.

• If the dump truck has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, or is designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or is used to transport hazardous materials in quantities requiring placarding, a CDL is required.

• There are different classes of CDLs. For a typical dump truck, a Class B CDL is often sufficient if the GVWR is between 26,001 and 33,000 pounds and the vehicle is not towing a trailer with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds. If the dump truck is towing a trailer with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds, a Class A CDL may be needed.

  
  

HOWO Dump Truck

HOWO dump trucks are manufactured by Sinotruk and are popular for their excellent performance and durability, especially in markets such as Africa.

China factory LUEN sells new and used HOWO dump trucks, there are many styles to choose from, 6*4, 8*4, 4*2, horsepower can also be chosen from 371, 375, 380, etc. Contact us for product details!