TRI-axle or trailor Dumptruck PTO lift general use ?

[Manicmechnic]

Ok I admit I am a newbie to dumptrucks but not driving. Things are getting slow here in the Northeast. I was thinking doing some dump. Any tips and or tricks basicly how to make the body go up or down and steps so I don't tip over. LOL I am not sure what kind of dump it might be Tri-axle or a trailor dump. Thanks

[Jimbpard]

Talk to mackman...He's our tri-axle specialist.

[Mackman]

Well for starters If it is a stright truck make sure your on level ground. When the truck is idleing push in the clutch engage the PTO. Let out the clutch. Pull the dump lever up for up and down for down. I allmost always let my truck idle when it is dumping. IF you have to you can up the RPM's alittle but i wouldnt go over 1,000rpms. Its hard on the hyd. system and really no need for it.

When the load starts to come out it will want to start to push the truck that is find just keep on the brake alittle bit If you dont keep on the brake the load will push that truck hard and fast.

Try not to ride around with your body up. It goes up High it will rip wires down and what not. Plus its not good on the pins in the back of the body.


For dump trailers kinda the samething but you REALLY have to be on level ground they are really un stable. If it is a frameless they will tip in a min. Framed dump trailers aint much better but they are alittle.

Thats just for dumpin a load of dirt or stone.

If your dumpin in a paver or under a miller thats a diff. story.

[Mackman]

Oh ya one more thing. Dont forget to open your tailgate. ANd trap your loads.

[marylandkw]

Oh ya one more thing. Dont forget to open your tailgate. ANd trap your loads.

I have never traped a load in my life Mackman...care to explain the procedure?

Mackman gave some good pointers. I am no expert like mackman but I have some insight.

Never bang your tailgate. Not only is it frowned upon by neighbors it is really hard on a truck. Welds start to crack really quick under heavy abuse.

Air-ride? Dump your bags for a bit more stability. If you raise the body and it starts leaning, put the body down. It will only lean worse as it goes up. Even if someone on the ground is telling you where they want to load dumped, if you tip it's your butt not theirs. Reposition and dump. All the controls are by YOUR seat not in their hand out on the ground. And 9 times outta 10 the "dump master" can't even spell dump truck much less understand all the complexities of operating one.

Take your time. Your center of gravity when just driving down the road is gonna be alot higher in a dump than in most OTR trucks. And depending on what state you are gonna be working in so will your GVW or at the very least the amount of weight per axle.

[Manicmechnic]

Thank you drivers. Now what about that extra axle do I leave it up or drop it down when and what for or not? And how do I raise it or lower it?

[Orangetxguy]

Thank you drivers. Now what about that extra axle do I leave it up or drop it down when and what for or not? And how do I raise it or lower it?

When the trailer is loaded, it should always be down. There should be a control switch, usually looks just like a PTO control, either in the cab of the truck, mounted on the exterior of the cab, or mounted on the exterior of the trailer. I always lift the 3rd. axle while backing or tight manuevering on location, then set it back on the ground to dump...for that extra stability it will provide.

[marylandkw]

Thats how you work a third axle on a trailer, on a straight truck it is a diffrent animal..

There are two kinds of lift axles out there, first things first you gotta know what you have.

1. Steerable. This is a misnomer, it is not steerable but rather pivots. Steerable implies it is somehow connected to the steering wheel. It is more like a caster on a shopping cart. If you have one of these, consider yourself lucky. Get loaded, put it down, forget about it.

2. Non-steerable. This one will take some skill to get used too. You have to pick this one up to go around turns, tight on-ramps etc. My rule of thumb was if I had to take a turn slower than 25 mph I would pick it up. Otherwise you will scrub the heck outta the tires and in some situations the lift axle will force your truck to stay straight. We have all forgotten to pick it up one or twice and gone for that little spot in traffic only to find out your truck won't turn. Now the skill part, once you lift that axle up the brakes still work on it, but remember when you have to pick it up, when you are slowing down. That axle does not instantaneously fly up off the ground. It comes up kinda slow (different trucks different speeds) And as it is coming up, if you hit the brakes, it will lock up and flat spot your tires. Then you will have a square tire, that ain't no fun. So you have to learn how to time when to pick up your axle, meanwhile you are shifting gears, eating you lunch and talking on your cell phone watching traffic and turning. Loads of fun.

Now with all lift axles on straight trucks it is a good idea to pick that sucker up when you are off road, or you will absolutely get stuck. When you back up, pick it up. When you dump, pick it up. As a general rule, if you are not on a road, don't put it down.

Some states use the lift axle to meet federal bridge law, meaning you have to adjust the pressure to ensure you meet the formula. Other states Just mandate it to have so many pounds on it but don't care about the bridge law.

Now all states are different with their laws, where are you thinking about running and we might be able to provide some in site as to specific laws in your state.