Safe Transport Methods for Tracked Dump Trucks

Transports of tracked dump trucks between job sites are not as simple as they appear. These machines are big, broad, and made to work on hard ground and not highways and long distance. Unless they are ready and fastened in the proper manner, a small error may cause an expensive loss or even a traffic accident. Most of the accidents are not due to the fault of the truck, but due to improper loading, inadequate tie-downs, or improper planning. This guide will consider the safe transportation practices that will contribute to the safety of the tracked dump truck , the operator and all other people on the road.

How to Load and Unload Tracked Dump Trucks Safely?

The process of loading and offloading a tracked dump truck requires time and procedure. The major part of the accidents occurs during such brief moments as the machine is moving on and off a trailer or a ramp, and the balance can be easily disrupted. Always begin with checking the trailer and ramps. They are expected to be robust enough to support the weight of the truck and on a level and solid ground. An unclean or rough surface may make the ramps slip. The walk-around will identify loose bolts, oil spills or weak areas before anything can move. The operator ought to take slow care when loading, maintaining the machine straight against the ramps. Their tracks can slide off due to sudden change of steering or speed. It also assists in keeping the bucket or bed low so as to keep balance. An actual scenario on a construction site in Luzon demonstrated how a small turn too soon resulted in the slippage of a tracked dumper on one ramp, breaking the side track. The machine was okay, the operator was okay and it took weeks to fix. After the truck is loaded to the trailer, it is necessary to center it then turn off the engine. This contributes to equal distribution of weight. Next use the parking brake and use appropriate chains or straps to ensure that the machine is fastened at various points. This type of heavy equipment cannot be tied down with just one tie-down. The unloading is equally cautious. The trailer must be parked on a level ground and no one should be standing close to the ramps. The operator must now make the engine start, release brakes gradually and straight back without haste. The tracks lose grip with the quick movements, particularly on metal ramps. Most accidents can be prevented by simple habits such as checking ramp grip, maintaining low speed and ensuring that one is focused when loading and unloading.

Key Points for Trailer Securing and Fixing Equipment

After the tracked dump truck is correctly placed on the trailer, the next thing is to ensure that it remains in the same position when it is being transported. This is as important as driving it. The loose machine may slip, break the trailer or fall off the road. Begin with the parking location. The truck must be in the middle of the trailer and not tilted to one side. This maintains the weight in balance. When the load is not even, the trailer may sway with the motion of the vehicle particularly on a curve or on a rough road. Then, the parking brake should be engaged. It is not the last line of safety, but the initial line of safety. Next inspect the points of contact of the tracks with the trailer bed. Grip can be diminished by dirt, oil or wet mud, and hence cleaning the surface in a short time can be used to enhance stability. Next up is securing it down. Use chains or rated straps according to how much the machine weighs. All track mounted mini dumper trucks are required to be locked down. Most of them are chained at four corners anyways. There should be anchors located at the front and back preventing forward and reverse motion. Side to side tension is there to prevent the machine from turning. The biggest mistake I see companies do in a workplace is not using enough chains or angling the chains improperly. One time at a mining job, a dumper rolled slightly because it was only secured at the rear. Rolling that small of a distance crushed the hydraulic line against the ramps. It didn't fall over but it was out of commission for 2 days. When relocating the trailer make sure you go over every hook and latch. Chains should be snug against the trailer, not loose but not too tight either. If after a few minutes one of your straps seems loose, stop and redo it. Take in your final walk-around before you pull out of the gate. Look for any signs of movement, listen for metal squeaking, and see if anything has shifted. Five minutes now can save you hours or days of repair time down the road.

Road Transport Regulations and Safety Tips

Once a tracked dump truck is already attached to a trailer, the following thing is the road trip itself. Problems can be caused even when loading was performed well, just because of bad driving on the road. A big one is speed control. Heavy equipment changes the way your trailer handles, especially while turning or driving downhill. Take your time and don't stop abruptly. Even if your chains are tight, the load will still slide forward if you stop quickly. Pay extra attention to bridges, tight corners, and narrow roads. Slow down well in advance of these sections rather than at the last second. Cutting wide turns on curvy roads is safer. Cutting corners too tightly can stress the trailer and tie-down points. Some drivers who work in rural delivery services generally deal with rough roads and potholes. A real world example of this was a quarry delivery I did one time. Another trailer rode up on a deep roller too fast and it bounced up slightly, shaking off one of the chains in the rear. Luckily the driver noticed right away, pulled over, secured the chain back on, and continued on his journey after double checking everything was good. Short delay but probably prevented something worse later. Stopping every now and then on longer trips is another good practice. The driver or crew should verify the chains are still tight and if the load shifted at least slightly during every quick stop. Signs that something isn't right include metal grinding against metal or rubbed marks on the trailer bed that were not there previously. Communication is key as well. If more than one person is working a transport they should all know the route, where planned stops are, and what to do in an emergency. Travel can sometimes cloud judgement leading to missed checks or slower response times. Lastly, the weather plays a factor too. Rain creates slippery roads and less traction for braking. If you are driving in high wind your loads will feel like they are top heavy. Slowing down even more will help with stability. Safe driving when transporting loads on roads is all about patience, situational awareness, and taking things slow.