The way to keep your dump trucks on the job is to load up on PM. So here are a few pointers to keep in mind:
1. Keep the Bed Dry
Standing water in the dump bed means the drain holes are clogged. Ignore the standing water long enough and you’ll have a rusted bed.
Eyeball the bed corner drain holes for debris and turn the tip of a screwdriver though the holes to open them up.
If your dump truck is going to sit for a while (like weeks or months), keep the bed elevated so water can’t pool up. Use the dump body’s support braces (bedlocks) to hold up and keep pressure off the main hydraulic cylinders.
Park the dump truck with the bed up to keep water out!
2. Keep ‘em Lubed
With the dump bed up, lube the grease fittings for the bed rollers during scheduled services. Lube keeps the rollers moving smoothly when the bed is elevated. Also, put a thin layer of grease on the roller tracks for smooth operation. Don’t use too much grease. It just gets squeezed out and wasted the first time the rollers move across the track.
3. Don't Forget the Hook
Remember to lube both grease fittings on the dump bed’s safety latch hook during scheduled services. Without lube, the hook can freeze in place. Then it or the latch mount will break when you raise the bed.