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8 Questions To Ask Before You Purchase an ADT/Articulated Dump Truck

8 Questions To Ask Before You Purchase an ADT/Articulated Dump Truck

8 Questions To Ask Before You Purchase an ADT/Articulated Dump Truck

An articulated dump truck can be a particularly productive addition to many heavy equipment fleets. That’s as true for your dealership’s rental fleet as it is for your construction customers. As you advise customers about things they need to consider to purchase an ADT, bear in mind these considerations apply to your own purchasing decisions, too.

You will want to evaluate size, different brands and specific performance features, to be sure you’re getting the best truck(s) for your applications.

  1. Why do you need an articulated dump truck?

An ADT is the tool of choice for hauling large volumes of material quickly. They function well when the ground is soft, adding to their versatility for mining as well as heavy construction jobsites. But that doesn’t mean they are equally value in every instance. So ask yourself, under typical conditions what type of material do you need to move, and how far. That points you toward the right vehicle size and capacity. You’ll need two for maximum productivity (one hauling while the other is being loaded).

  1. How much traction do you need?

Tough jobsite conditions demand more power and traction. Look for:

  • Limited-slip differential, front and rear, plus an interaxle differential – that puts two-third of the power toward the rear and one-third toward the front, for maximum performance.
  • Front-mounted turning ring with rear tandem bogie – these add tractive capability in both soft and very rough conditions.
  • Auto-traction control – that boosts overall productivity, by automatically optimizing the level of engagement between the interaxle and cross-axle.
  1. What power-to-weight ratio do I need?

The right ratio enables operators to accelerate quickly under load, speeding things along. Greater efficiency equals greater profitability, so be sure the truck has plenty of horsepower and torque. Industry experts say that, using a wheel loader or excavator, you should be able to fill the truck bed in 3 to 10 passes.

  1. What options and accessories do I need?

Optional features improve both versatility and on-the-job productivity. Seriously consider:

  • A tailgate, to reduce spillage of soil, rocks or watery materials from the dump body.
  • A heated body kit, to keep materials from freezing in winter. This kit works by distributing hot exhaust through channels in the dump body.
  • A cold-weather starting kit and heated mirrors, to make life easier (and get you working sooner) in winter.
  • An automatic lubrication system, which keeps operators in the cab and your ADT reliably on its regular maintenance schedule. You can save money and get more done.

  1. What operator-friendly features do I want?

backhoe-operators-manualHappy, comfortable operators can work longer without fatigue. That reduces costly (and dangerous) mistakes). Consider features such as:

  • Display panels
  • Fingertip control levers
  • Air-suspension seat
  • Air conditioning
  1. What about Tier 4?

A new articulated dump truck with the latest Tier 4-compliant emissions technology will keep owners in compliance with regulations, too. Look for SCR after-treatment technology that doesn’t require using a diesel particulate filter (DEF).

  1. How easy is it to service?

Time spent on service is downtime. It adds up, so choose an ADT that is easy to maintain, in the yard or on the jobsite if necessary.

  1. What kind of technology does the ADT use?

These days, most heavy construction equipment is outfitted with wireless communications technology that monitors machine performance and alerts operators and owners about impending problems. You can realize significant time and money savings with telematics. Look for a machine equipped with GPS, too.

8 Questions To Ask Before You Purchase an ADT/Articulated Dump TruckPutting it all together for your rental fleet

Depending on your range of customers and the work they do, you may want to invest in both smaller 30-ton ADTs and larger 40-ton units. As noted above, ADTs work in pairs, so you’ll need enough trucks in your fleet to outfit customers accordingly. If you must choose, pick the higher-powered truck. That will work for more customers, increasing rentals.

Make sure your fleet includes excavators and wheel loaders right-sized to work in tandem with your ADTs. You can rent everything as a package to save customers time and increase your revenue. (This also reminds customers you are their one-stop rental resource.) And train your shop technicians on ADT maintenance details, and make sure they have all the equipment and space they need to work efficiently.

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Comments (1)

Thanks for going over some things to ask when getting an articulated dump truck. I actually didn’t know that there could be a lot of different accessories that can be used, like those that can help materials be prevented from being frozen. It sounds like it could be beneficial to maybe do some prior research about what you want, or to at least discuss it with the company to get a better idea.

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