DUMP TRUCKS

The Naval Construction Force (NCF) uses many shapes and sizes of dump trucks ranging from 2 1/2 tons to 20 tons to perform construction and disaster repair operations and up to 25 tons to support quarry operations. Although there are a different variety of types of dump trucks used, the principles of operation are the same. As an operator, you are responsible for

Figure 7-36.-Dump truck body components.

Figure 7-37.-Tailgate operating lever.

Figure 7-38.-Dumping the load.

reading and understanding the operator's manual for the model of dump truck you are assigned to operate. This section covers the basic characteristics and operations of dump trucks.

CHARACTERISTICS

A typical dump truck is equipped with a dump body that is hinged to the rear of a subframe which is mounted directly on the truck chassis. Dump bodies range in structural strength and size to support different operations. That is why it is important that the operator knows the design and capacity of the dump truck assigned to operate. You do not want to haul quarry rock in a dump body designed to haul and heat asphalt. The quarry rock can damage the dump body and render it useless for asphalt operations. The components of a dump truck body are shown in figure 7-36.

A hydraulic hoist assembly is used to raise and lower the dump truck body. The hydraulic pump is driven by a propeller shaft connected to the power takeoff (PTO). A variety of ways are used to engage the PTO on dump trucks used in the NCF; therefore, consult the operator's manual for specific instructions on how to engage the PTO and hoist assembly.