Unloading the transported bulk cargoes or small items loaded in bulk requires use of a self-unloading vehicle including the dump trucks. It is a cargo mechanism (vehicle, semi-trailer or trailer with a body) which is mechanically forcibly tilted within unloading.
Dump Truck Design Features
Dump truck with classical design consists of a chassis with a cab and a dumping mechanism. The dumping unit includes a platform with sides, a subframe and a tipper.
The platform can be unloaded in several ways:
- On 2 sides, for example in models: Man with boom truck, Renault Midlum, Daf CF 65240, Renault Kerax 430 DXI).
- On 3 sides (Scania P340, Tatra, Mercedes-Benz Atego 815 K, Howo 336/371/375/420).
- Back (Man TGS 41.420, Man TGS 40.400, Scania P450, Ford 4142 D, HowoZZ).
The main characteristics of dump trucks that affect the model selection include:
- load capacity (40 – 450 t);
- own weight of machines (6 – 50 t);
- wheel base (2 – 4);
- engine power (200 – 700 hp);
- gearbox (manual or automatic one).
In order to maintain the accuracy of unloading the bulk cargo, the machines are equipped with attachments – dispensers that lock the board at the time of tipping over.
Dump Truck Types
By purpose, dump trucks are divided into road, mining, articulated and underground trucks. Road vehicles are designed for use in construction, agriculture and utilities, within extraction of minerals. The maximum capacity of vehicles with 2-4 axles is 40 tons.
European-made dump trucks have an increased carrying capacity: Ginaf (X 5150 — 31,110 kg, X 5350 TS — 30,575 kg, 5450-S — 29,040 kg, X5450 S — 28,140 kg); Terberg (FM 2850 — 31,130 kg, FM 3850-T — 29,850 kg, FM 1850 — 25,640 kg).
Mining or off-road dump trucks have increased power and carrying capacity (up to 450 tons of cargo per one pass). In practice, they are often used with an excavator. Popular models: Scania G440, Volvo FMX, Man TGS 41.480 8х8.
Articulated vehicles (dump haulers) have an articulated frame that connects the cab to the body. The average load capacity is from 10 to 50 tons. The equipment is used to perform works that require improved cross-country performance and maneuverability. Popular models: Caterpillar 740, Terex TA-9, Bell B40D, Volvo A40D, and etc.
The underground dump truck design includes a tractor with a double-type articulated trailer. The mechanisms are used in mine sections and faces for workings, within construction of tunnels, and in confined spaces. Models have different carrying capacity: from 1 to 40 tons. Caterpillar of AD series can be distinguished among the underground machine models.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dump Trucks
Modern road dump trucks have high speed and low fuel consumption. However, they have low cross-country and off-road ability.
The articulated dump truck has increased cross-country ability and excellent maneuverability. It moves at high speed even in difficult areas.
The advantages of mining dump trucks include the ability to transport up to 450 tons of cargo at a time, good cross-country ability in hard-to-reach places and the possibility to develop the speed up to 60 km/h, despite the large dimensions. The disadvantage of such dump trucks is low maneuverability.
