Dump Truckin

Just use that roll over protection system! It will save your life if you happen to be Unfortunately enough to flip on your lid. – image borrowed from my Facebook news feed

About all that can be said is “oops!” Suspension system airbags take a beating all day. Every now and then one will simply give up and blowout. This perticular one was on the front drive axle of my dump truck until it suffered a catastrophic failure.

Today in South Central Minnesota the weather can only be described as perfect duck hunting weather.  That is to say it’s completely overcast, cold and rainy.  This type of duck hunting weather is not conducive to bituminous asphalt paving.  However, occasionally that’s exactly what is expected of a construction dump truck driver.  Today we had … Read more

When the weather decides to turn rainy, a construction company may consider using a simple thing to save time and money. You might want to put a few rock checks put in place. A rock check is simply a line or pile of rock strategically placed to prevent rain water runoff damage. This is especially … Read more

One of our newer dump trucks was purchased a few years ago with a spring ride rear suspension.  This makes for a miserably rough ride both on and off road.  Finally,  after several drivers rotated in and out of #12 the powers that be made the decision to upgrade the suspension system this truck should … Read more

This morning I spent three hours working on cleaning an excavator.  Yes it’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it.  This 325 Cat looks monstrous when it’s inside the shop.  In reality it isn’t all that big. First things first.  What can be removed from the tracks with a space must be removed. … Read more

This week I had the opportunity to jump in the side dump for a while.  The tractor trailer is something I’m extremely familiar with.  However, running a trailer that tips sideways is a new thing for me.  After spending a few minuets getting used to the controls for the trailer I went to load.  I … Read more

Sometimes things just happen.  The first load of 3″ rock was delivered and spread to perfection.  In fact subsequent loads were dumped in a pile as the dozer operator really wanted something to do.   Sometimes you completely rely on the guy on the ground giving hand signal directions.  Most often this works out very … Read more

Wednesday started out washing some equipment. Unfortunately, the key on the dozer we’d left drip dry over night broke when we attempted to start it.  With no replacement part on hand I worked around it the best I could.   Washing construction equipment is a dirty business.  A nasty combination of dirty, clay, sand and … Read more

Class 5c gravel is a wonderful alternative to class 5 gravel.  What makes it different?  The answer to that is simply C.  C is for concrete which is crushed into an aggregate of suitable size and used in the place of natural aggregate.  Class 5c gravel seems to pack more firmly than natural aggregates providing … Read more