5 Considerations to Make when Hiring a Tipper Truck for your Construction Job

Tipper trucks are the most dependable solution for transporting loose materials to and from construction sites. There are many types and sizes available on the market, and your choice of truck will depend on the exact nature of job you need it for. Having your specifications – design, capacity, size, terrain compatibility etc. – established will make your search much easier. The following is a description of each of these considerations.

1. Load capacity

This refers to the maximum weight that the tipper's hydraulic lift can tip each time. If you get a smaller tipper than you need, you will have to make more trips to haul all your materials, which means you won't see any savings. Overloading the hydraulic lift system will also slow down your work, and may even damage the system itself, costing a lot of money on repairs. If you're not sure about what size of truck to order, talk to professional equipment hire contractors who can advise you depending on your job site and construction requirements.

2. Engine size

The engine is the unit that powers the entire truck, and its output must be able to power the truck even when heavily loaded. Choose tippers with diesel engines instead of gasoline engines as they provide better torque, last longer and are cheaper to run (more efficient fuel consumption). Engine sizes are measured in litres, and a higher capacity engine will be stronger, because this means there are larger pistons to direct power.

3. Load volume

This is the maximum volume that can be loaded as cargo on the tipper. Knowing this capacity will prevent problems that arise from overloading the truck. Tipper load volume is given in cubic units, because the weight of material varies according to material density. You should know both maximum weight and volume, because some items may have less weight and high volume; these will not be accommodated in the truck. An experienced contractor can help you select the best truck depending on your materials' volumes.

4. Tipper design

Tippers have different designs, but most of them are created to incline and dump loads from the back. Depending on where you are hauling material from or to, you may require a side-dumping or bottom-dumping truck instead of a rear-dumping one.

5. Terrain compatibility

Because tipper trucks are intended for heavy-duty work in construction sites, they can usually handle rugged terrain with ease. However, there are specific details that can make one tipper more suitable than another. Inspect tyre sizes and treads and speak to a professional to help you choose a truck that can efficiently handle your terrain – whether rocky, sandy, swampy or more.

Contact a company like Eastern Plant Hire for more information.