Safety tips to avoid tipping dump-carts

You may have already witnessed cases of trucks tipping onto the roads or even accidents with raised dump-cart vehicles colliding on bridges and overpasses. Many of these incidents occur due to careless drivers and could be avoided if some safety measures were followed.

The tipping over of a truck happens for the sake of physics: when the lateral acceleration generated in curves, known as the G force – the force that moves the vehicle from the center of gravity and starts to push it to the side – is very large, the physical properties capable of keeping the vehicle on the ground are canceled, causing it to tip over.

Therefore, tilting the truck’s dump-cart requires a lot of attention, and observing some basic safety principles. Below, we will give you tips on procedures that can make your work routine safer and more peaceful.

Respect speed limits

Trucks tip over so easily because they are tall and narrow. Accidents happen mainly when vehicles are traveling at high speed. Therefore, it is always recommended to keep the pace below 10 km/h than indicated by the signs, even on the straights.

In the curves, the danger increases. It is enough that lateral acceleration can lift the tire in the curve for tipping to be inevitable. The heavier the load, the more likely it is to tip over.

The ideal is to always slow down about 15 to 20 kilometers from what the signs indicate. This way, you minimize the risk of losing control of the vehicle. Reduce it in advance and, during the curve, just keep it to ensure the stability of the vehicle.

Distribute the load evenly

But accidents can also occur at low speeds and even when the truck is stopped to unload. When loading the truck, never leave a heavier weight in different areas of the dump-cart, as this can cause the vehicle to become unstable.

Balanced load distribution is essential to prevent tipping. If different materials are transported, arrange them so that they can be unloaded in the right order, in order to preserve the balance of the weight in the dump-cart.

When transporting liquid loads, you must pay attention to the tank level. If it is not full, the movement of the liquid will greatly affect the stability of the truck, especially when cornering. The same care applies to hanging or live loads.

Respect the loading limits

When tipping, excess weight can cause uncontrolled cargo, tipping over, and even damage the hydraulic equipment that raises the dump-cart.

Excess weight also impairs the vehicle’s steering, braking, visibility, and stability, increasing the risk of collisions. It takes you to drive with an unstable truck, which requires a lot of engine effort, and there is always the risk of being fined for being overweight.

Check the maximum weight and height allowed on the roads you will be traveling on before traveling and check that the bucket is correctly lowered before crossing overpasses, bridges, and walkways. It may seem unlikely, but running over viaducts and walkways by trucks with raised buckets is quite common.

Make sure the load is moist

Before tilting the truck, always check that the load is moist. Some materials can stick together and cause the load to fall at once, causing accidents during tipping.

Also avoid bumping the bucket to help unload the material. Always prefer the help of suitable equipment to perform the unloading.

Tilt in firm, leveled places

Make sure that tilting is done on firm, level ground. Tilting the truck in irregular places can cause the vehicle to overturn and put people’s lives at risk.

When it is not possible to find suitable land, request that the unloading be done in another way.

Also, isolate the area around where the tipping is carried out to prevent accidents involving other people and vehicles.

Check for a nearby power grid

Before carrying out tipping, pay close attention if there are electrical networks nearby. Note that the bucket height will not reach the mains wires, as the consequences can be fatal.

Do not leave the cab during tipping; keep an eye on the vehicle to control the equipment.

By following these tips to tip the truck, you will be able to establish a much safer transport routine and avoid tipping over.

Did you like this article? Do you also have tips to avoid tipping over to share with our readers? Leave a comment in the field below!