On-Highway vs Off-Highway Dump Trucks

On-Highway vs Off-Highway Dump Trucks

Meta Description: Explore the differences between on-highway and off-highway dump trucks and understand their capabilities. Learn about payload capacities, maneuverability, and intended applications to determine the best option for your hauling needs.

This article provides an in-depth look at the key differences between on-highway and off-highway dump trucks.

Whether you need to haul materials on public roads or rugged job sites, it’s important to understand how each truck type is designed and what it can handle.

We’ll explore factors like payload capacities, maneuverability, and intended applications to help you determine which option best suits your needs and workload.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding the differences between on-highway and off-highway dump trucks is crucial for selecting the right equipment for specific tasks.
• Off-highway trucks, such as articulated dump trucks and rigid frame trucks, are designed for rugged terrains and harsh ground conditions.
• Articulated trucks offer improved fuel efficiency and maneuverability, while rigid frame trucks provide stability and durability.
• Factors such as rear tandem axles, trailer dumps, dump bodies, wheel loaders, and well-maintained equipment impact the performance of these vehicles.

Categorization of Dump Trucks

Dump trucks are typically divided into two categories – on-highway trucks designed for work on roads, highways, and job sites and off-highway models like articulated dump trucks and rigid haul trucks engineered for mining, construction, and other industries involving uneven terrain and harsh ground conditions.

On-Highway Dump Trucks

On-highway dump trucks are designed to carry loads on roads, highways, and job sites.

1. Standard dump trucks: Standard dump trucks have a hydraulically adjustable bed and a relatively small wheelbase, making them well-suited for maneuvering on highways and congested job sites.
2. Super dump trucks: Super dump trucks, also called “super dumps,” have additional axles, including a moveable trailing axle and a liftable load-bearing axle. This allows them to distribute weight over a larger area for higher hauling capacities of up to 26 tons.
3. Transfer dump trucks: Transfer dump trucks are another way to increase payload capacity. They attach a detachable dump trailer, which does not have its controls but remains attached to the dump. This allows carrying two types of materials without mixing.
4. Truck and pup configurations: Truck and pup configurations essentially function the same as transfer dump trucks, with one key difference – the detachable pup trailer can stand alone dumping via its controls. This allows for hauling separate materials without mixing them.
5. Winter service vehicles: Some on-highway dump trucks are configured as winter service vehicles for plowing and spreading salt or other de-icers along roads and highways. While visually resembling standard dump trucks, they primarily spread material in transit rather than hauling loads between locations.
6. Trailer dump trucks: Trailer dump trucks include semi-trailer end dumps and bottom dumps, which have a detachable two-axle trailer to increase payload capacities. Double and triple trailer bottom dumps also use a two-axle configuration, allowing them to haul large quantities of material across various job sites and between mining operations despite being less maneuverable.
7. Side dump trucks: Side dump trucks provide benefits like faster material unloading than rear dump options. They allow dumping material to the side, improving efficiency on job sites with space or terrain constraints versus trucks that dump only from the rear.

Key Specifications and Manufacturers

On-highway dump trucks typically have payload capacities in the 20-30 ton range, with standard models suited for smaller job sites and super dumps able to carry over 26 tons.

Manufacturers of these trucks include Mack, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, and Western Star, allowing buyers a variety of options from major brands.

Trailers enable increased payloads for tasks like hauling between mines, quarries, or construction sites requiring large quantities of material daily.

Side dumps provide benefits like faster unloading for applications needing efficient material dispersal on job sites with terrain or space constraints.

Winter service vehicles spread salt, sand, or other de-icers from the same truck body for efficient ice management while traveling along highways.

Standard trucks balance a relatively small wheelbase for maneuverability with a hydraulically adjustable bed, while super dumps add axles to maximize hauling capacities.

Various trailer configurations haul material between mining operations and industries, utilizing two-axle designs to optimize payload on rough terrain.

Off-Highway Dump Trucks

Off-highway dump trucks are purpose-built for hauling tasks in mining, construction, and other industries that require transporting materials on uneven terrain and non-maintained roads.

Articulated Dump Trucks (ADTs)

ADTs have an articulating center joint, allowing them to easily maneuver roughly packed ground conditions. This comes at the cost of payload capacity compared to rigid frame options, with most ADTs hauling 25-45 tons versus the heavier loads of rigid trucks.

Rigid Haul Trucks

Rigid haul trucks maximize payload potential, with even the smallest models capable of carrying around 60 tons. The largest rigid frame options can haul up to 500 tons of material. They are exclusively used in mining operations requiring large quantities of ore or minerals.

Applications and Load Capacities

1. ADTs are suited for construction jobs like earthmoving and grading uneven terrain.
2. They are also used for mining tasks like transporting ore within quarries and between sites.
3. Rigid haul trucks carry heavy loads of coal between mining operations.
4. Both ADTs and rigid trucks haul aggregates from extraction areas for road building.
5. ADTs are applied to transport waste in landfills and disposal facilities.

Manufacturers of ADTs and Rigid Haul Trucks

Major brands like Caterpillar, Liebherr, and Volvo Construction Equipment supply ADTs with up to 60 tons of load capacity to handle mining, quarrying, and construction hauling needs across varied ground conditions and work environments.

Meanwhile, manufacturers such as Caterpillar, Belaz, and Terex provide rigid-frame trucks capable of carrying extremely large payloads on mining sites and between facilities.

Differences in Driving and Hauling Capabilities

When choosing between on-highway and off-highway dump trucks, it’s important to consider how each type’s design impacts maneuvering loads on the job.

Maneuverability

Off-highway ADTs excel at navigating roughly packed ground conditions thanks to their articulating center joint, though rigid frame trucks lack this flexibility.

On-highway models like standard and super dumps are well-suited to winding job sites and congested work zones with relatively small wheelbases. Buyers should evaluate the terrain and space constraints of their operations.

Maximum Load Capacities

• Rigid frame trucks can haul the largest payloads of up to 500 tons for moving bulk materials in mining.
• On average, ADTs transport 25-45 tons per load to work sites with uneven terrain.
• Standard on-highway models carry 20-30 tons of cargo between job locations.
• Super dump trucks maximize this capacity at over 26 tons via additional axles.
• Trailer configurations increase hauling abilities, with triple-trailer models moving large quantities.

Intended Work Environments

On-highway vehicles are suited to maintained roads and highways connecting job sites for construction and road building. Meanwhile, off-highway ADTs and rigid trucks tolerate harsh conditions to efficiently transport cargo within mining operations and between facilities handling bulk materials on rough terrain.

Body Configurations

The type of body directly impacts a dump truck’s capabilities.

Fixed-body Trucks vs Tractors

• Tractors haul detachable trailers, allowing for standalone dumping of separate loads.
• Fixed-body trucks integrate the cargo box as one unit for faster dumping cycles.
• Trailers increase the maximum allowable length for carrying larger quantities.
• Fixed bodies offer greater maneuverability due to their compact size.
• Tractors require detachable trailers but provide flexibility to haul various types.
• Maintenance is simpler for fixed-body models with integrated systems.

Dumping Mechanisms

Dump bodies use hydraulic, electric, or mechanical systems to discharge loads efficiently. Rear, side, and bottom dumping options suit diverse material types and job conditions.

Choosing the Right Truck Type

Selecting the optimal dump truck involves evaluating several factors specific to the intended application and work environment.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Truck Type

One of the primary factors to consider is the type of terrain where the truck will operate. Off-highway dump trucks like articulated and rigid haul models are well-suited to uneven, roughly packed ground conditions common in mining and heavy construction. Their larger tires and suspension systems can withstand harsher terrain than standard on-highway trucks.

The hauling capacities and payload requirements of the job are also important. Rigid frame trucks maximize payload potential for bulk material transport, with capacities reaching 500 tons, while ADTs haul slightly less but offer better maneuverability.

Applications requiring smaller, more frequent loads under 50 tons are well-served by standard or super dump trucks.

The distances involved in truck routes and whether the vehicle needs to traverse maintained roads or highways also influence the decision.

On-highway trucks connect job sites and permit travel between locations on public roads. Off-highway models stay within operation boundaries and non-maintained haul roads.

The type of material being transported is another factor – loose materials like sand, gravel, and ore suit rear and bottom dumping.

In contrast, liquid or fine materials are better suited to rear discharge. The size and space constraints on job sites also determine if rear, side, or bottom dumping is preferable.