Articulated or Rigid? Find Out Which Dump Truck Will Benefit You

If you are looking at dump trucks for sale, deciding which one is right for your particular business can be hard. There are plenty of options to choose from, but unless you are a mechanical engineer, understanding the nuances can prove nearly impossible. Before you head out and make an uneducated purchase, first take a moment to familiarize yourself with the two basic types of dump trucks out there – articulated and rigid. Whether you have never heard these two words used along with dump truck options, or are already well versed on these two main dump truck types, consider this both a refresher course, as well as an introduction to the world of commercial dump trucks. When armed with the correct information, you can make a sound decision based on your individual business needs, and not on the opinions of what others think you should buy.

A Introduction to Articulated Dump Trucks

An articulated dump truck, also known as an articulated or dump hauler, is a large heavy-duty piece of machinery. Used mainly to transport heavy loads over unforgiving terrain, these four-wheel-drive dump trucks can navigate over large boulders, sand, and even make their way through thick mud. The first articulated dump trucks were designed in 1955, and developed for agricultural use on farms around the world. These original dump haulers were uncomfortable to operate, offered a rugged ride, and did not include a suspension or an automatic transmission. With excessive noise, and wear on the bodies of those who were tasked with operating these early articulated dump trucks, the design was reconstructed to work better and be less intrusive on job sites.

Today’s articulated dump trucks are highly efficient machines, designed to excel in traversing steep inclines and slippery terrain. If your business applications call for a dump truck capable of continuous up- and down-hill maneuvers, working on loose and wet top soil or sand, then an articulated dump truck is likely the vehicle you will find a more useful investment.

An Introduction to Rigid Dump Trucks

Rigid dump trucks were designed to haul extremely heavy loads, across flatter terrain. Historically, rigid dump trucks have been utilized in mines, quarries, and other areas in which heavy load bearing is more likely required. Rigid dump trucks are not only more capable of hauling heavy loads, they are also not capable of driving down highways or city streets. If your job calls for a dump truck that is versatile and that can easily move between job sites, a rigid dump truck is not a good match.

Which One is the Right Match For Your Needs?

If you are still fuzzy on whether an articulated dump truck or a rigid one would be more apt to suit the needs of your business, take a look at a few questions to ask yourself in order to gain clarity on this subject.

• Where Will I Be Using My Dump Truck? In the world of articulated versus rigid dump trucks, location is everything. Maryanne Graves is the product marketing manager of articulated dump trucks for John Deere, and says that when deciding which truck to choose, location should be considered above all else. In the June 2016 issue of Grading and Excavation Contractor, Graves was quoted as saying that, “Job site and the job are the most important in making a decision. The amount of materials is secondary.”

• What Will I be Hauling? According to Graves, who is arguably an expert in this area, the amount and weight of materials you need to haul is the second point to consider. Articulated dump trucks offer a lighter payload than more capable rigid dump trucks, but unless you are in the business of hauling granite or other heavy-duty materials, an articulated dump truck will suit you just fine.

• What Are the Conditions of My Job Site? In the same publication, Joe Sollitt the product marketing manager for Komatsu America Corp., offered this piece of advice to business owners who were on the fence regarding which truck to buy: “Essentially, ground conditions most often dictate whether articulated trucks or rigid trucks are appropriate for a given job site.” The experts go into further detailing, suggesting that unless your job site has a hard-packed dirt road for your dump truck to travel through, then an articulated dump truck is the better option.

• Do I Need a Versatile Truck? Hands down, articulated dump trucks are the most versatile and practical choice. They can handle any type of terrain, and can perform on inclines upwards of 35 percent. Capable of hauling maximum load weight up to 10,000 feet, these trucks can get the job done, regardless of what the weather, terrain, or job happens to be.

What Chevrolet Has to Offer

While most construction companies and businesses that require heavy duty, large dump trucks choose the articulated dump truck option, it is important to note that there are other more mainstream applications available for small business owners. With a maximum payload capacity of nearly 8,000 pounds, a Chevy dump truck may be the answer your business is looking for. Much like articulated dump trucks, commercial trucks from Chevrolet that are outfitted with a dumping application can handle various terrain, decent load weight capacities, and even steep grades. The most practical part of a Chevrolet brand dump truck? It can easily transition from the job site to the highway without missing a beat.

If you think that your business can benefit from adding a dump truck to your fleet, but are unsure if you need a heavy-duty machine to get the job done, come down to McCluskey Chevrolet and speak with one of our commercial sales representatives. Our team is knowledgeable in all areas of commercial trucking, and can help you decide which vehicle is the perfect addition to your business fleet. Whether you live right here in Cincinnati, or further down the road in Indianapolis or Kentucky – we hope that you give McCluskey the chance to show you just how capable and effective the Chevrolet commercial lineup is in 2017. We hope to help you and your business very soon.