There are several kinds of dump trucks on the market, designed for different payloads and different operational needs. And spec’ing them out at the time of purchase can be a pretty complex business.
For example, you have to understand not only the maximum weight a dump truck can haul, but also its total gross weight. State laws don’t have uniform regulations about dump truck weight limits. Therefore, it’s really important to understand weight regulations in the states you’re going to operate in. That’s how to make sure you’re not breaking any law.
Federal Bridge Law
All trucks have a maximum weight they can carry. The federal bridge formula stipulates these. This calculation involves total gross weight and the weight on each axle and axle group.
Invented more than 30 years ago, Super Dumps, or super 10 dump trucks, maximize not just the gross weight they can carry, but also the payload and profitability as well. Super Dumps haul more material in the least amount of time. This means increased revenue over the lifetime of the vehicle.
How do they do this?
With a nifty addition of a load-bearing trailing axle that increases the length of the vehicle.
Weight restrictions exist to make sure our roads and bridges don’t flounder under excessive weight. To ensure this, the weight of the dump truck has to be properly spaced out according to the stresses that bridges and roads are designed to hold.
For a regular tandem dump truck, having 3 axles and spanning 22 ft, the limit for the gross weight is 52,500 lbs. If you add a pusher axle, it now has 4 axles, even though the overall span remains 22 feet. And commensurately, the allowance has also increased to 56,500 lbs.
If we add the Super Dump’s trailing axle to the back of the truck, the length automatically increases to 34 ft (instead of 22), and with 4 axles, the allowance also increases to 64,500 lbs.
The trailing axle stores above the vehicle, well out of the way when not needed, to facilitate dumping operations. And by storing it off the ground, the Super Dump truck has all the maneuverability, quickness and agility of a short-wheel based tandem truck. On command.
This is what makes Super Dumps so special.
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Additional Benefits of a Super Dump
And that’s not all!
To maximize the amount of legal gross weight, Super Dumps can be equipped with 3 pusher axles. This means there are 7 axles in total, spread out over 34 ft. This means it qualifies to carry the maximum gross weight allowed on the interstate: 80,000 lbs!
The body of the Super Dump has been rigorously engineered to dump easily and quickly with all unnecessary weight eliminated. From the shape of the bed to the shape of the tailgate, the same high-strength steel is in every component. And the precise placement of the body on the truck chassis further helps in optimum weight distribution.
IntelliTruck, an advanced on-board control system, uses robust mobile electronics and streamlined custom components, to reduce the number of wires needed (and potential failure points) by over 60%, for long-lasting, trouble-free performance and dependability. Plus the color Control Monitor makes it the easiest-to-operate system in the dump truck industry. That’s thanks to descriptive buttons, on-screen illustrations, informative notifications, status screens, and operator error prevention.
Since Super Dumps came to market in 1989, they have proven to be particularly useful for asphalt and concrete paving applications. But they’re also the most profit-boosting option for any operation that’s looking to haul and shift the most amount of material in the shortest possible time!