How Many Cubic Yards In A Dump Truck

Nov 8, 2024 | trucks

Dump Truck Capacity in Cubic Yards

Dump truck capacity can vary with the truck’s type and size. Here’s a look at different capacities:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K6o-DudgfU

General Capacity Range

  • Full-Size Dump Trucks: Standard dump trucks can carry 10 to 16 cubic yards of material. The Peterbilt 348 is at the top range.
  • Smaller Dump Trucks: Mounted on a pickup frame, these can hold around 1.5 cubic yards.
  • Larger Dump Trucks: Heavy-duty models can carry up to 16 cubic yards.

Material-Specific Capacities

The weight of materials affects how much a truck can carry:

  • Sand: Weighs about 3,000 pounds per cubic yard.
  • Mulch: Weighs around 1,000 pounds per cubic yard.
  • Capacity often depends more on weight than volume.

Types of Dump Trucks and Their Capacities

  • Standard Two-Axle Dump Truck: Holds about 10 to 12 cubic yards.
  • Tandem-Axle Dump Truck: Handles 12 to 14 cubic yards.
  • Tri-Axle Dump Truck: Carries 14 to 16 cubic yards or more.
  • Super Dump Trucks: Can carry up to 26 tons, about 19-26 cubic yards, depending on material density.

Calculating Dump Truck Capacity

To find a dump truck’s capacity:

  • Measure the bed’s dimensions in feet (length, width, and height).
  • Calculate the volume in cubic feet. For a bed 14 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 5 feet high, the volume is 420 cubic feet.
  • Convert to cubic yards: Divide cubic feet by 27. Here, (420 \div 27 = 15.56) cubic yards.

Example Calculation

For clarity:

  • A truck bed measuring 14 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 5 feet high has a:
    • Volume: (14 \times 6 \times 5 = 420) cubic feet.
    • Capacity: (420 \div 27 = 15.56) cubic yards.

Weight Rating and Material Density

Weight Rating

The weight rating of a dump truck is key to knowing how much it can carry safely, considering the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Payload, the maximum load weight, is found by subtracting the GVW from the GVWR. Different setups affect this, such as:

  • Small dump trucks can carry about half a ton.
  • Large trucks can handle up to 15 tons (30,000 pounds).
  • A 20-ton truck generally holds 10 to 14 cubic yards, depending on material density.

Popular Models and Their Capabilities

  • Volvo Construction Equipment A60H: Carries 60 tons / 43.9 cubic yards
  • Doosan: Ranges from 31 tons / 22 cubic yards to 45 tons / 31.9 cubic yards
  • John Deere: Covers 26 tons / 19.6 cubic yards to 46 tons / 32.9 cubic yards
  • Caterpillar: Spans 26 tons / 19.6 cubic yards to 45.2 tons / 32.7 cubic yards

Material Density

Material density significantly affects the dump truck’s load. Here are some common material weights:

  • Concrete: 3,900 to 4,100 pounds per cubic yard
  • Rock (2-6 inches): 3,000 to 3,400 pounds per cubic yard
  • Sand: 2,600 to 3,000 pounds per cubic yard
    • A 15-cubic-yard load weighs roughly 40,500 pounds at 2,700 lb/yd³
  • Asphalt: 2,500 to 2,900 pounds per cubic yard
  • Gravel: 2,400 to 2,900 pounds per cubic yard
    • Weighs about 43,500 pounds for a 15-cubic-yard load
  • Clay and Salt: 2,100 to 2,500 pounds per cubic yard
  • Soil: 2,000 to 2,700 pounds per cubic yard
    • Wet soil can weigh up to 122,000 pounds
  • Water: 1,600 to 1,800 pounds per cubic yard
  • Snow: 1,200 to 1,500 pounds per cubic yard
  • Mulch: 700 to 1,500 pounds per cubic yard, varies with moisture

Moisture has a big impact on weight, especially in soil and mulch. For example, wet soil can be up to 1,000 pounds heavier per cubic yard.

Factors Affecting Capacity

Material Density

  • Concrete: Weighs 3,900-4,100 pounds per cubic yard
  • Rock (2-6 inches): Weighs 3,000-3,400 pounds per cubic yard
  • Sand: Weighs 2,600-3,000 pounds per cubic yard
  • Asphalt: Weighs 2,500-2,900 pounds per cubic yard
  • Gravel: Weighs 2,400-2,900 pounds per cubic yard
  • Clay: Weighs 2,100-2,500 pounds per cubic yard
  • Salt: Weighs 2,100-2,500 pounds per cubic yard
  • Soil: Weighs 2,000-2,700 pounds per cubic yard
  • Water: Weighs 1,600-1,800 pounds per cubic yard
  • Snow: Weighs 1,200-1,500 pounds per cubic yard

Vehicle Weight Capacities

  • Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The dump truck’s maximum weight when fully loaded.
  • Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): The empty truck’s weight with everything except cargo.
  • Payload: Difference between GVWR and GVW.

Truck Design and Configuration

  • Axle Numbers: Single, tandem, tri-axle, or more, such as 18-wheelers.
  • Capacity Increase: More axles boost hauling capability.

Dump Body Design

  • Dump body size and shape greatly influence load capacity.
    • Traditional Bodies: Rectangular, with flat bottoms, hold the most material.
    • Rounded Bodies: Easier dumping but less capacity.
    • Semi-Elliptical Bodies: Hold more than rounded but less than traditional.
  • Dump Body Length: Measures between 10 to 22 feet.
  • Side Heights: Varies from 18 to 72 inches, controlling capacity, as seen in the Maverick series (3.9 to 34.6 cubic yards).

Dump Body Material

  • Steel: Heavier and reduces material capacity.
  • Aluminum: Lighter, allowing more volume, even though it reduces weight capacity.

Regulations and Terrain

  • Follow local weight limits and rules.
  • Job site terrain affects truck performance and capacity needs.

Practical Considerations

Measurement and Calculation

To find out how many cubic yards a dump truck can carry, measure the truck bed’s length, width, and height in feet. Multiply these dimensions and divide by 27. For example, a bed measuring 14 feet by 6 feet by 5 feet gives about 15.56 cubic yards.

Material Density and Weight

The weight and type of material being hauled affect the dump truck’s load. Some examples include: – Concrete: 3,900-4,100 pounds per cubic yard – Sand: 2,600-3,000 pounds per cubic yard – Gravel: 2,400-2,900 pounds per cubic yard

Moisture content can increase the material weight, so it must be considered.

Legal and Regulatory Limits

Following the gross vehicle weight rating and local rules is crucial. In the U.S., many states use the federal bridge gross weight formula, with a limit of 80,000 pounds without a permit.

Dump Truck Types and Capacities

Different dump trucks carry different loads: – Single-Axle: 10 – 15 tons (around 5-7.5 cubic yards) – Tandem-Axle: 16 – 25 tons (about 8-12.5 cubic yards) – Tri-Axle: 26 – 30 tons (around 13-15 cubic yards)

Dump Body Construction

The material and shape of the dump body impact capacity. Steel bodies are heavier and hold more material; aluminum bodies are lighter, which might reduce their weight capacity.

Examples of Specific Models

Larger models like the Volvo A60H can haul 60 tons/43.9 cubic yards. Other models, like those from Caterpillar, offer capacities from 19.6 to 32.7 cubic yards.

Project Planning

Accurate measurements are vital for project planning to determine material needs in cubic yards. Measure length, width, and depth, then calculate: Length x Width x Depth = Cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards.

Consider material weight per cubic yard to avoid exceeding truck limits. For example, sand at 3,000 pounds per cubic yard restricts a 30,000-pound truck to about 10 cubic yards.