MARKET GUIDE: Compact dump trucks

Peter Anderson reviews off-road dump trucks offering carrying capacities between 10 and 20 tonnes

The combination of a site dumper and a compact excavator is a stalwart of the UK and Irish construction industries, regarded as essential items of mobile equipment on most building sites. However, the productivity of such a combination is limited by the carrying capacity of the site dumper, up to the maximum of around 10 tonnes. Hauling any more than this, particularly over challenging ground conditions, requires a different approach.

The trouble is, there is a wide gap between 10-tonne site dumpers and the smallest ‘proper’ articulated dump trucks, with carrying capacities starting above 20-tonnes. There are also just a few manufacturers serving this growing sector of the market, particularly for low ground pressure variants. Marker leaders Hydrema, Bell and Bergmann produce compact articulated dump trucks, together with Italian manufacturers Dieci and Fiori offering smaller, rigid-chassis, all wheel steer models.

HYDREMA

Danish manufacturer Hydrema offers an updated version of both the 10t capacity, 2-axle 912G and 20t capacity, 3-axle articulated dump trucks. Both are fitted with Cummins Stage 5 engines delivering 110kW and 231kW respectively.

The smaller 912G is available in three different versions; standard tip, a 180-degrees multi-tip version as a chassis without a body or as a flatbed. The 20t capacity truck is now available in two new versions, the 922G and the new 920G. The 920G is the same basic machine as the 922G, but comes with wider 920mm wheels and a slight reduction in payload. The 920G can achieve a 15% reduction in ground pressure over the 922G and is being targeted at specialist contractors who need to operate on very soft terrain, but still need the speed and efficiency of a wheeled machine. The engine delivers an increased power output up from 218kw to 231kw while the torque is increased by as much as 23%, giving the machines greater tractive power.

Both machines are fitted with a newly developed retarder system, which combine an engine brake and a hydraulic retarder. Also introduced is a brake care system, which triggers an alarm on the dashboard in the event of brake overload. Additional features include electrically controlled tipping hydraulics enabling a smooth tip and lowering of the body, with a soft start function, along with auto tip and return controlled by a simple push of the joystick.

A new system to measure the dump truck’s payload has also been included. The dashboard layout has been changed to provide the operator with more information, including, hoist assistance showing the machine’s gradient both sideways and longitudinal. Should the inclination be too severe a warning will appear letting the operator know if it is unsafe to tip.

BELL

The latest addition to the South African-based Bell Equipment range is the B20E LPG articulated dump truck. Weighing 16.5t, this hauler offers a rated load capacity of 18t and a heaped capacity of 11cu.m. It also has a power-to-weight ratio of 4.5kW/tonne, which is in line with that of the larger B30E model.

There is a choice between standard 20.5R25 earthmoving tyres or low profile, extra wide 800/45 R30.5 tyres, which provide significantly reduced ground pressure enabling the truck to operate in very muddy or soft sandy underfoot conditions.

Its 6x6 driveline is powered by a Stage 4 emission-compliant Mercedes engine rated at 170kW, which drives through an Allison 6F/1R transmission. The B20E LPG has an impressive turning circle of 3.66m even with extra wide tyres, which provide a maximum ground pressure of just 95kPa. A low load over height of 2.54m allows the truck to be served by a variety of machines loaded by a number of different loading machines.

The hauler’s standard features include onboard weighing, a safe tipping system, neutral park brake, downhill speed control, hill hold and Bell’s satellite-based telematics/fleet management system.

BERGMANN

Within Germany-based Bergmann’s eight-model range of compact dump trucks is the 12t capacity articulated C815s model. This is available with a variety of configurations, with a rear-tipping or a swiveling skip, as a three-way tipper or with an exchangeable frame to carry a variety of body types.

Weighing just over 9t unladen, Bergmann says the compact C815s model offers fast and safe working cycles in tight spaces and it is the first 12t swivel-tip hauler to offer a heaped payload capacity of 8cu.m and a tipping height of more than 1.40m. It is powered by a 119kW Cummins engine, which drives through a ZF torque converter transmission, providing forward and reverse speeds of 40kph and 30kph respectively. The self-aligning pivot joint, complete with hydraulic cushioning, together with the suspended front axle helps to deliver good traction, operator comfort and machine stability

DIECI

Better known for their telehandlers, Italian-based Dieci also designs and builds all-terrain concrete mixers and dump trucks, which the firm says are easy to operate, versatile, manoeuvrable and lightweight, ideal for transporting material around construction sites.

The largest dumper in the range, the DP120, has an unladen weight of 6.8t, a maximum capacity of 12t and a maximum a heaped capacity of 7.5cu.m. It is powered by 100kW Perkins engine, which drives through hydrostatic transmission with variable displacement pump, to provide a maximum travel speed of 27kph.

An interesting option is the availability of a self-loading bucket attachment, doing away with the need for a support machine. Each Dieci dumper comes with the company’s service package as standard, which includes scheduled service throughout the vehicle’s life cycle and fast delivery of spare parts.

FIORI

Founded in 1942, the Fiori Group has a long history of designing and building a range of compact construction machinery. Today, the business focusses on manufacturing self-loading concrete mixers and dumpers, at its factory at Finale Emilia in Italy.

Top of their dumper range is the D100SW model, which weighs-in at 5.7t and offers a carrying capacity of just over 10-tonnes. It is powered by a Stage 5 emission complaint Perkins engine rated at 90kW. This drives a hydrostatic transmission that features a variable displacement pump and electro-hydraulic controls. The two-range transmission lets operators choose between low range for working speeds and high range for road transfer speed. There are four forward and four reverse gears, providing a maximum forward travel speed of 30kph.

Other features include four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering, with the resulting small turning radius provide excellent maneuverability. Three steering modes are available; two-wheel steering, four-wheel steering and crab steering 

The fully enclosed ROPS/FOPS heated cab is equipped with a 180-degree rotating seat, providing excellent visibility for the operator in both driving and working modes. The 180-degree swiveling tipping body allows for versatile and safe unloading.

Article featured in the December 2021 issue of Earthmovers Magazine. Subscribe to the industry-leading construction machinery publication here.