A Guide to Maintaining Your Dump Truck
Dump trucks are robust and reliable vehicles, and they keep your business rolling. However, they aren’t invincible, and you will want to work hard to keep your model in tip-top shape. Don’t worry if you are unsure where to begin—we have you covered.
Keep reading this guide to learn a few tips to maintain your machine and keep all its critical components functioning smoothly. If you need more advice, visit Fyda Freightliner for a friendly chat with our team. We are in Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, so swing by today.
Owner’s Manual
Dump trucks are complex machines, and you will want to avoid damaging any part when maintaining your model. We often recommend that our customers refer to the owner’s manual that came with their vehicle before attempting a repair or replacement.
The owner’s manual contains information to help you care for your vehicle thoroughly and carefully. It will have information about maintaining your rig, the frequency to service your model, the products you should use or avoid, and other tips.
Batteries
Once you are more familiar with your owner’s manual, you are ready to perform a few maintenance tasks yourself—starting with optimizing your rig’s battery.
Essentially, you will want to check that your battery is free of corrosion and that all its connections are secured tightly. You will also want to ensure that it gets a full charge for running effortlessly. When leaving your truck sitting for extended periods, remember to detach your battery and hook it to a trickle charger. If you notice that your battery can't hold the charge anymore, you might have to replace it as soon as possible.
Tires
The excess cargo weight can put a lot of strain on your dump truck’s tires, leading them to wear out prematurely. You will want to avoid driving your vehicle on bad tires, as it can affect the fuel economy of your model and put your safety at risk.
To stay safe on the road, inspect your tires before starting your truck and verify that your spare is in good condition. You will want to adjust the air pressure to your manufacturer’s recommendations and see that there aren’t any cracks on the sidewalls.
Hydraulics
The hydraulic system of your dump truck helps lift and lower your rig’s bed for dumping any materials and supplies. You will want to make sure it works smoothly and doesn’t get stuck when in the air or while lying flat.
If you notice that the system isn’t working as it should, you will want to let the experts handle it. Contact a service department and let the professionals offer you a permanent fix and get you going.
We hope you find this guide handy when maintaining your dump truck. If you have more questions or are still in the market for a new dump truck, contact Fyda Freightliner. We have a fine selection of dump trucks for sale, and we can help you select a perfect model for your operation. We have dealerships throughout Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, so visit one that’s nearest to you.