Different kinds of trucks are widely used in various industries. The same goes for dump trucks, which are often used by contractors for all types of projects, especially when hauling huge amounts of cargo. However, if you’re going to use dump trucks extensively, you must properly maintain and use its dump truck body to minimize the risk of damage and malfunctions. Here are some important considerations that could help reduce dump truck body safety risks for a more efficient operation.
1. Remember to Unload on Level Ground
Whenever hauling a lot of heavy materials, it’s important to remember that you’re only supposed to unload them on level ground. This is crucial since emptying the contents of your truck on uneven ground may affect the vehicle’s balance.
Every time the bed is lifted to unload the truck’s contents, its center of gravity shifts. If you happen to be parked at an uneven portion of land, that could easily spell disaster and topple the truck or cause the bed to malfunction. No matter how uneven the surface is, you need to find level ground where you can safely dump the contents of your truck without the risk of tipping over.
2. Install a Liner
Liners are essential to ensure that loads in dump bodies easily and smoothly flow out from within the dumpster before unloading. The function of a liner is to minimize the chances that the contents of the bed become stuck during unloading. It’s essentially an important tool to ensure efficiency and safety when operating the dump truck. Any material stuck during the unloading process makes the truck become unbalanced. Installing a liner can easily solve this problem and make the dumping process a bit smoother.
3. Be Mindful of Your Truck’s Weight Capacity
In every project, you need to be aware of the types of material that need to be hauled off and the weight capacity of your truck. That weight capacity should never be surpassed no matter how much material there is that needs to be removed. Overloaded dumpsters are less stable and more difficult to control. So it’s best to stay within the weight capacity to promote safety and keep the dump body and truck assembly in good working condition.
4. Ensure Proper Alignment
Misalignment of the truck bed and the truck itself is a common occurrence through regular use. It only makes sense to monitor the truck’s alignment at all times, as any misalignment could cause your vehicle to become less stable. Have your vehicle regularly inspected to check for proper alignment, and be sure to address any issues that come up immediately.
5. Keep the Truck Bed Down When Moving
It’s a general rule to never drive your truck with the bed raised. Leaving the bed raised can cause a lot of accidents like striking obstacles up above, like power lines and suspension cables. It can also affect the truck’s stability. Make sure to always lower the bed before driving, even if you’re just moving slowly.
Conclusion
Dump truck hazards happen too often to be disregarded. These hazards can come in any form when you’re transporting heavy loads. If you want to avoid any accidents, it’s best to follow these steps for a safer and more efficient operation.
Heavy Duty Direct has been serving buyers and sellers of different types of trucks and trailers since 2004. From construction to agricultural equipment, we carry a huge collection of machinery you can use for your project. Whenever you need heavy equipment and other types of commercial trucks, Heavy Duty Direct is the one to call. Contact us today to see our listings.