7 Tips & What to Look For When Buying a Used Dump Truck

May. 27, 2024

7 Tips & What to Look For When Buying a Used Dump Truck

Before you invest in your heavy machinery, it's important you review used dump truck inspection tips. By utilizing these tips before purchasing a dump truck, you can ensure you're buying a reliable dump truck that's not beaten up or going to need repairs shortly after you make the purchase.

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Below are the primary used articulated dump truck inspection tips you can follow before you buy:

1. Tires, Dump Box and Body

The first thing you should check on the dump truck is its body. Take a slow walk around the body of the dump truck. If you notice rust, major repairs, dents or cracks on the body, you may want to reconsider before you buy.

After checking the body, inspect the dump box for wear and tear. During the dump box inspection, see if the box is made out of steel or aluminum. A steel dump box will be heavier than aluminum and is typically more durable and strong. As a result, those who plan to handle large materials or rubble may be better served by a steel box. In contrast, aluminum's lightness means your dump truck may generate lower fuel costs, which some companies may enjoy.

Another one of the things to check before buying a used dump truck is the tires. Look over the tires to see if they're in good condition and won't require you to replace them anytime soon. Check the tire's circumference for uneven wear or other signs of damage. An uneven tread can signal the truck having an alignment issue.

2. Cab and Interior

The cab's condition is another element of the dump truck that needs to be inspected. Damaged seats can be uncomfortable for your drivers and may require replacement. Additionally, you can see what technological features are present in the cab. While in the cab, look at the odometer to see what the mileage is. This could factor into your decision if the mileage is too high. Finally, check to see if it has a manual or automatic transmission.

3. Operational Capabilities

After inspecting the cab, you should also start up the truck to see if everything is in working order. Drive the truck to see if the steering has any play to it. Ensure the signals, gauges, horns and lights are all functioning properly.

Besides ensuring the dump truck is in working order, you'll likely want to put the lifting control mechanism through its paces. With the dump truck at a stop, raise and lower the dump box. While moving the dump box, check if the lifting rods and cylinders are operating smoothly.

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4. Hydraulic System

Before you buy, look at the hydraulic system to see if it's working well. Inspect the hydraulic system for dents, cracks or leaks in the rods and lifting cylinders. Next, move on to the reservoir tank and pump to check if there's any leaking fluids or other damage. After performing an inspection, operate the dump box again to ensure the hydraulic system is doing its job without anything sounding or feeling off.

5. Axles and Frame Rails

When you're deciding on things to look for when buying a used dump truck, the truck frame rails should be high on your list. While doing this inspection, take note of any bowing bends or sagging bends. A bowing bend often occurs when someone has been driving the truck with an upright and loaded box. Sagging bends indicate that the box may have been overloaded with materials. You should also look for other signs of damage or corrosion, which could affect the dump truck's performance or appearance.

Alongside checking the frames, you can also inspect the truck's axles. Since the lift axles are designed to support heavy loads on the dump truck, look for any structural damage that could prevent them from properly supporting heavy materials and loads. Search for any tag axles or push axles, as they help spread the load across multiple axles. Your state may have strict weight regulations that require these axles to be present, so it's crucial you check for them.

6. Engine

Your dump truck's engine size and power may be one of the most important factors in the equipment's performance. As such, make sure to check its horsepower. Additionally, look into the engine's track record in other dump trucks, seeing if it's a reliable model and checking when it tends to need repairs based on its mileage. See if the engine's model has the performance you need to accomplish tasks productively.

7. Maintenance Records and Documents

A reputable seller will likely have detailed records of the dump truck's usage and any maintenance performed on it. Review the maintenance records to see if any major repairs have been conducted on the dump truck already, which could be a sign that more costly repairs are coming down the road. Look into the dump truck's accident history to check for previous damage and how it was repaired.

The equipment's records can help you see if the previous owner has followed standard repair procedures and performed various preventative maintenance actions. It's also a good practice to check the oil change records. Ensure the previous owner has regularly changed the oil, as irregular oil changes could cause problems with the engine.

Essential tools for dump trucking

If you are hauling blacktop, you will be putting deseil into the dump beds now and then to help get them cleared. I run a dump truck for a few years for a really small three man type operation paving driveways, building gravel roads where there were none among other things.

The picture you shared show me that you will have a nice rig and trailer, if you already have a basic kit proven by yourself for trucking then there isnt much I can add to that except maybe a small scraper that is not metal so you can go after the spots of this or that on the truck body, cab and tanks etc to help keep them clean.

You do want to carry a couple of C Clamps for your Intercooler feed hose (About 5 inches wide that goes to your turbo) if you lose one clamp you will have a spare to put on and restore your engine power and stop smoking all over the place. You want to carry a set of plugs of all kinds, for example brass air tank drain ####s and plugs so that if you knock one off your air tank on a construction site on rough ground you will be able to install a replacement and not be stranded for a tow.

A small length of siphon hose, your truck will sometimes behave as a fuel tanker to keep feeding fuel into your bosses's or customer's heavy equiptment from time to time.

A battery ternimal cleaning set. A variety of cleaners made of good quality wire and a set of replacement bolt on ternimals will come in handy if your battery box takes a hit and you lose a ternimal etc. It's rare but it's a idea.

I forget exactly what fluid you use to drive your dumping device back there but there should be a gallon or two extra under the passenger seat so that your truck will be reliable in dumping off that PTO from the cab. Being short on dump fluid is not fun.

A gauge big enough to measure to 120 pounds. A length, say 100 feet of air line plus glad hand on one end and a device to feed your tires anywhere on the dump and trailer will come in handy sometimes. If it is not you that gets tired (Pun intended) it might be another dump truck that does on the jobsite.

A spare bulb and lense for your overhead cab lights plus any other light you might have on the rig. The local police and state police will generally be more... anal with inspections for a lack of a better word. Have something to patch exhaust pipe leaks, generally at the Joint or Junction where it curves to vertical under or next to your cab, if you develop a leak it will be there or at the T or near the Turbocharger itself.

A spare set of gloves. Or two. If you wear glasses, a spare set of glasses and so on down the line. You cannot have too much stuff inside a dump truck. There is always something. If you transfer hydraulic fluid to trailer to lift that dump then you want to have also a length of spare hose rated for that work So you can still dump if worse comes to worse. Finally some extra bolts for your tags. For some reason they will shake off often.

I can go on, but I think that's thought provoking and quite good to start Your Picture indicates a very nice rig with adequate axles to haul good paying weight. I feel somewhat envious because all I had in my day was a converted over the road tractor with underdrive, a Mack Super500 with that 15 forward and 15 reverse on three trees. It was a great truck, one of the best I ever had in my time. I miss it. It's not much. But it was mine.
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