Dump Truck Maintenance

The best way to make the most of your dump truck’s potential is to ensure it’s well cared for. You’ll find it’s an essential tool, but only when all the gears are working properly. That’s why maintenance is such a critical part of use and ownership. Synergy Equipment has provided you some dump truck maintenance tips so you can sustain and even extend the life expectancy of your vehicle. You can also stop by one of our many locations throughout Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, with additional questions or concerns you might have. We can even show you the models we have available right now.

Owner’s Manual

As with any complex machine, you’ll want to locate your owner’s manual. While we can give you some general tips that should apply to most dump trucks, the only place to find information on your particular model is to reference the manual. If you don’t have the manual, or if you can’t find it, check out the manufacturer’s website to see if they offer downloadable versions. 

Battery

Outside of some of the standard engine checks you’d need to perform on any truck or vehicle, you’ll want to pay special attention to the mechanisms at work with the dump box. This includes the separate battery that’s often used to operate this part of the vehicle. It needs to be put through all the same battery checks as the battery in your engine. 

Charge the battery as needed, hooking it up to a trickle charge for the weekend, preferably. This is going to be particularly important, because if the battery isn’t fully charged, there’s a higher chance of it leaking. The excess fluid will then invade other parts of the hydraulics system and impact the efficiency of the dump box. If you do start to notice the hydraulics system isn’t performing properly, start by checking for leaks in and around the system first. 

Tire Check

As always, your tires are the foundation of your dump truck’s safety and efficiency. If one of the tires is compromised, it could create a serious hazard or at the very least a nasty bill and a big headache. Take some time to inspect your tires before transport. Use a tire pressure gauge to measure the psi levels and compare them with the recommended levels provided by the owner’s manual. Do this while the tires are still cold for an accurate reading.

While you’re checking pressure, inspect the treads for signs of excessive wear or damage. These could be indicators that one or more of your tires need replacing. If you notice your tires are wearing at uneven rates, it could be a sign that you’re not loading the material evenly, or a sign that there are more serious mechanical issues at play.

Hydraulics

Another unique aspect of a dump truck that you might not be used to is the hydraulics. These control lifting and lowering the bed to empty its contents. As we mentioned, leaks can cause serious issues and are sometimes caused by a battery with low charge. 

If the bed is stuck in its upright position, locate the coils on the pump. Loosen the nuts of each coil and then switch them. This can hopefully at least get the bed lowered so you can drive it to a professional for a more thorough inspection. Don’t leave the coils this way, though, as it’s meant to be a temporary solution. 

Another important aspect of dump truck maintenance is regular servicing. Having a trusted technician and reliable service is going to make this part of ownership a lot easier. That’s why you’ll want to contact Synergy Equipment to set up an appointment with one of our experienced professionals so we can help you get back to work. You’ll find us in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.