Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist for Dump Truck Drivers

Part of being a successful dump truck operator is maintaining the functionality of your equipment—and inspections are instrumental for doing this. These regular checks allow you to assess any potential issues with a truck before you take it out on a delivery. This way, you know what could go wrong and can take the time to get it fixed. So, if you’re getting ready to head out for a day of travel, make sure that you’re following this pre-trip inspection list for dump truck drivers.

Engine and Fluid Levels

The first essential step to a pre-trip inspection is to make sure that the vehicle runs properly. This means checking the engine, as well as any necessary fluids it needs to keep itself operating. Examine the oil, coolant, and transmission fluid during this process.

Brakes

Next, take a look at your dump truck’s brakes. As you’re probably aware, heavy vehicles experience a lot more wear on their brake pads than standard cars do. Therefore, you need to replace the pads much more often. Inspecting this component will help you tell whether your brakes are at their best, and it’ll give you an idea of when you can expect to replace them. Concurrently, take some time to see how much brake fluid is present, and test the emergency brake to ensure that it’ll work in a jam.

Hydraulics

Another vital part of this inspection checklist for dump truck drivers to consider is the vehicle’s hydraulics. These components are responsible for lifting the bed of the vehicle and depositing materials at the drop-off station. Because of this, they’re both intricate and powerful. Should they malfunction, the whole piece of equipment will no longer be operational. For this reason, you should devote a few minutes to testing them before a trip to save yourself from a messy situation later on.

Dumping Bed

You’ll want to check the truck’s dumping bed itself as well. Although it can be either steel or aluminum, this component has the most exposure to abrasive materials and will sustain the most damage during a trip. As such, you should clean the bed liner before filling it with materials. This will help prevent particularly harmful substances, such as hot asphalt, from sticking to it and further harming the machine.

Tires and Suspension

To finish up, scan the areas around the dump truck’s tires and suspension system. Tires require a lot of traction to keep a heavy piece of equipment in control. However, the truck’s weight also wears down the rubber treads at a fast rate. Because of this, it’s critical to check each tire, your spare, and the suspension system before you leave to prevent a flat or blow out on the road.