Owning and using a dump truck means that you have to maintain it in order to keep it operating smoothly and properly. You will need to ensure that the interior and exterior are clean and that there is not rust on the body of the truck. You will also need to ensure that your Terex dump truck is inspected on a regular basis, namely the suspension system and tyre pressure. If you own or operate a dump truck, read on below for some helpful maintenance tips to keep your truck in tip-top shape.
Pressure wash it regularly
Cleaning the outside of your Terex or Volvo dump truck does more than just make it aesthetically pleasing. It means that the dump truck will operate smoothly, as there is no grease or grime on the joints, and that it will represent the fleet in a positive manner when out driving in public.
Using a pressure washer will save you from having to spend money at a professional truck wash. And it will allow you to clean hard-to-reach spots and examine the truck while you are washing it. The high-pressure blasts of water will get rid of difficult dirt and stains, but be sure that you do not aim it at delicate parts of the truck, such as the side-mirrors and any lights on the roof, as it could damage these.
Keep the interior clean
Keeping your interior clean keeps you safe, secure and comfortable so be sure that cleaning the interior is part of your Terex dump truck maintenance schedule. You might find that the interior of your truck becomes cluttered with water bottles and food wrappers, so it is important to keep it clean and orderly.
In order to keep your interior clean on a regular basis, you should keep a plastic bag in the cab where you can throw any rubbish, making it easier to remove and try to vacuum the interior at least once every two weeks in order to remove dirt and dust. Not only will you feel better when using a clean truck, you will avoid any respiratory problems, such as sneezing, which could distract you while driving.
Track adjustment and cleaning
It is important that you keep your tracks to the correct adjustments at all times and that they are cleaned on a regular basis. You will need to refer to your Terex dump truck manual in order to find out that the adjustments should be, or ask a mechanic for help.
If you allow the tracks to pack or build up with dirt, mud, dust and other ground products it will cause increased wear and tear and will make daily operation difficult. You will also need to minimise reversing in your dump truck, as this can cause increased damage. Before you set off for the day, you will need to adjust your tracks and use a pressure washer to clean them, ensuring an easy and smooth journey to your construction or mining site.
Understand your working conditions
One of the most important aspects of maintaining your dump truck is being fully aware of and understanding your working conditions. To do this, you will need to look at the working conditions of your site, such as abrasive or sandy materials in a wet site.
You will need to watch the weather and ascertain how this will affect your worksite, and how the worksite will affect the undercarriage of your dump truck. If you are working in an environment where there are abrasive materials, you will need to avoid running the tracks to destruction and then replacing the links. You should rather inspect your tread after each job to see any wear and tear early on in order to remedy the problem before it gets out of hand.
Avoid overloading the truck
While it might seem like an easy fix to overload your truck in order to finish jobs on time, this is highly inefficient and could lead to further damage to it. You should always distribute the load evenly and ensure that any load you might have does not exceed the limits of your Terex dump truck.
Your tyres will be adversely affected by overloading the truck, and it could even throw off their balance. Be sure to always load your truck according to the guidelines stated by the company in the manual, otherwise you run the risk of damaging the truck and losing out on a warranty. If you are working with rocks or stones as your load, these will need to be laid out in such a way that the back of the truck is level and is not liable to cause the wheel alignment to shift.
Keep your maintenance up
Maintaining a dump truck is vital to any successful construction site, so you will need to be sure that you keep performing all the necessary checks and processes on a regular basis. Start by cleaning the interior and exterior of the vehicle, then move on to inspecting the engine and the tyre pressure. You will also need to ensure that your track adjustment is correct and that your working environment is optimal. A dump truck that is kept in good condition will work for years to come without many issues.
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