Dump Truck

[EddieWalker]

I apologize if this is the wrong forum, but none of them really jump out as the best place to post this question.

I'm looking to buy a dump truck, but don't know anything about them. What should I look for and what should I be concerned about?

I want something to haul dirt around my property in the 12 to 14 yard range, wich means double axle and around a 13 foot bed. Diesel engine would be a must also. I have a full sized backhoe for loading, so thats covered. Just hauling massive amounts of dirt one yard at a time takes up so much time, plus wear and tear.

I also want to be able to go to the local quarry on rainy days to get road base and haul it myself when its too wet to move dirt.

I figure I need so much material I could save enough to pay for the truck a couple times over hauling it myself over time and keep busy on those rainy days. Then I could sell the truck when I'm done with it and make back some of that money as well.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Eddie

 

[rdln]

Other than a current inspection sticker, I would prefer one piece wheels and dont buy without testing hydraulics with a full load.

 

[LarryRB]

do you have a cdl in order to drive truck?
heavy equipment truck trader is loaded with wheelers of all sizes and shapes, get one at your local store and you should be able to find something,,
I've owned many IH's some GMC's a Kenworth, a Volvo.. For dumps, my preference is the IH's.. each to his own as preference is like saying which girl at the prom is the prettiest..

 

[RoyJackson]

I guess you're looking into this for the RV lot you're building.

Dumps and other trucks are expensive to purchase and maintain. Licensing alone (if you're going to run it on the road) is pretty expensive. You may require a CDL to operate this machine too.

Why do you need to haul that much earth in one run..especially just around your 100 acres? That second axle is going to jump purchasing prices up quite a bit Suggest you reconsider that aspect..maybe go for a single axle truck instead.

I looked at a single axle dump about two years ago...it was a municiple truck one of the local townships was selling. The truck had around 80000 miles on it. Don't recall the year, but it was a late 80's Ford. This one was gasolene powered though. The asking price was 8 thousand. This was for a part time business I was considering.

You can get some good deals for "retired" state, county or municiple vehicles...but you've got to know what you're looking at.

Again, unless you can register this truck as a farm vehicle (depending on the laws in your state), you might find it's a lot cheaper to plan your work and rent a truck for a day or so (including a driver).

You admit you've no knowledge of dumps...mine is fairly rudimentary. Just do some homework locally before you make what could be, a very expensive mistake.

 

[BigAl]

Eddie ,
I would really look at a bob tail truck . A ten wheeler is going to be very expensive unless you can find other work for it after you complete your project . Have you ever priced a set of rear axle gears incase you blow one out ? OUCH!!! . Diesels are great ,but the price does go up when it comes time for engine repair . If you can justify it , then by all means go for it . A bobtail two axle is a lot less in road license fee's also .
A good friend purchased a older chevy dump truck at a farm auction .He paid under $2000 . It hauls 6 to 8 yards of dirt and is small enough to get in tight places easily . 8 yards is overloaded in volume but not in the gross weight limit for the truck . He just can't go on the county roads unless he is under 30,000 pounds gross .That's the law here . I would just add some higher side boards for working my own property and go for it . As long as your not working steep terrain or side hilling use should be fine .
Big Al

 

[BarryinMN]

Call a local small construction firm. I found one that will haul for $5 yd. on longer jobs. This is about the labor/fuel/maintenance (variable) expense you'll have anyway, 10 yard loads. Scheduling one truck/driver busy all day for days is easy work. 12 yard trucks have a 3rd drop axle that pulls up for turning. Larger 14 yard loads may require a tractor/trailer due to axle wheel load spacing regulations.

Others are right on about having CDL in pocket, Insurance, DOT stickered, etc. Since your looking for the largest capacity vehicles the search will take a little longer.

Vehicle inspection is similar to other vehicles although you may be able to pull maintenance records for brakes, engine oil condition, etc. Some auction houses have these records available. Pay particular attention to the condition of the bed & quality of welded patches if any. A tired old rock hauler with sloppy repairs will be a shortcut to budget busting! Another easy to see item is the hydraulic ram. The larger beds have 3-4 telescoping sections that leak & get spendy to repair or replace worst case.

An easy way to learn about the equipment if you have the time is to go to local construction auctions & stand around an item that interests you. Invariability somebody with specific knowledge owner/operator/mechanic shows up & may spend a few minutes walking you through it!

Final notes: a smaller 10 yard tandem axle dump has a larger market & greater availability - purchasing & resale. Rainy weather & a loaded dump may leave a bigger mess than you want.

 

[755inNY]

I know that having your own truck available to you is a lot more convenient but not necessarily more cost effective. I would do a hard search in your area and locate a few guys with dump trucks and see what they would charge per day.

If you are not experienced in purchasing and maintaining a dump truck then it is very difficult to estimate the operating costs. These costs can eat you alive especially if you need to hire out all of the work. What if your 1 truck breaks down. You won't be able to work until it is fixed. If your hired trucker breaks down you just find yourself someone else.

This will not be a small investment and it is full of unexpected costs. Proceed with caution.

 

[EddieWalker]

Lots of good advice which I apreciate. Thank you.

The reason for the size is to maximize the amount of material I can hual from the quarry, which is over an hour away. Most haulers are shooting for four loads a day maximum. My best rate for base is $12 a ton with a hundred ton minimum. That was a really good price, and that guy is now in Austin. I'll need to work out pricing with somebody new to get that price again. $14 a ton is the going price.

I need about 5,000 tons to get started and figure twice that by the time I'm done. The more I can haul, the more I save over time when I have nothing else that I can do.

A smaller truck for just hauling dirt around the property would probably work fine, and even gas would be alright, but for the long hauling of rock, I think a bigger truck will make a diference.

Getting the license isn't a big deal since I've had a Class A with a haz endorsement before.

Eddie Walker

 

[RobS]

OK, I'll throw out a very contrarian approach based on your situation EddieWalker. Buy a used but not too old truck tri-axle (or larger) dump. Find a son/daughter, nephew/neice, neighbor or whomever to take under your wing. Use the truck for your needs then hire out your spare truck time with said young, aspiring entrepreneur at the wheel. When you're done with your major hauling needs, sell the truck. Of course, you'll offer it to the new entrepreneur first but no special deal unless you can afford it.

If all goes well you'll save money (might even come out ahead). You'll give someone a start in the working world and have some fun at the same time.

Having said all of this, I'd still put together a business case as there are lots of high dollar costs to consider but who knows, it could be worth it /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jim_wilson]

Have you looked into maybe using a dually type pickup truck and a dump trailer? This type of setup is probably not going to haul as many yards at a time as you wanted but it gives you more overall usefulness as you can use the pickup for other things while not hauling dirt. Plus you probably would not have to worry about licensing issues.