Dumper Hire: Everything You Need to Know Before Getting Started

Simply put, a dumper is a truck or wheeled machine consisting of a bed or tray that can tilt to load or unload materials. In other words, it ‘dumps’ material in a certain area – hence the name. Dumpers and tipper trucks are the same variety of machine, with minor variations in their design. Essentially, both are used to move dirt around confined and narrow spaces. They are almost always needed when doing landscaping and site work as they help remove dirt to make space on the construction site.

Dumpers and tipper trucks are built to carry bulk material. A tipper truck (which is sometimes called a dump truck) is built like a typical truck, except with the addition of an open-box bed at the back which is tilted with a hydraulics system to aid in dumping materials. A dumper, on the other hand, is usually an open four-wheel drive or tracked style vehicle that contains a skip on the front. This skip also tilts to release material. The dumper is a much smaller piece of machinery, making it ideal for smaller sites. They are also especially handy for collecting waste in place of a wheelbarrow. Therefore, dumpers and tipper trucks come in many different shapes and sizes to suit your needs.

There are a number of reasons why a dumper or tipper truck may be ideal for your current or upcoming project. One of their most convenient features is undoubtedly their ability to support a heavy pile of material and transport it around with ease. Larger tipper trucks are also able to transport other smaller machinery around, which is helpful if you need an assortment of equipment for your task.

Other characteristics of dumper and tipper trucks include:

• • Sturdy wheels or tracks make it easy to drive on most surfaces
  • It’s a reliable piece of equipment used on construction sites

• They deliver high productivity with low fuel consumption
• They’re easy to operate
• They can save you time and money

Types of dumpers

Depending on the type of work you will be taking on, there are different dumpers available to suit your needs. Dumpers or tipper truck typically range from mini, holding around 600kg, to full size, holding upwards of 10 tonnes of material.

Mini Dumpers

This is the smallest and most compact member of the dumper family. Mini dumpers are a godsend when it comes to transporting waste. Why wheelbarrow anything around yourself when you can get your dumper to wheel materials away? Mini dumpers are little helpers which make construction life that little easier. Your only issue will be wishing you had more than one.

Ryno’s Hi-Tip dumper measures up to only 70cm in width, making it great for smaller-scale projects. Despite its smaller measurements, the strength of the dumper has not been compromised. This little machine can support 600kg of material and waste. That’s a lot more than the average tradie can lug around in a wheelbarrow.

Small to Medium Dumpers

Medium-sized dumpers are the most versatile form of dumper available on site. They are compact enough to navigate confined areas but large and sturdy enough to hold a decent load of waste or materials. Small to medium-sized dumpers will hold from 1 to 8 tonnes of material. Essentially, any size you need, you’ll be able to find it. Some of the main uses of medium-sized dumpers include: moving earth, backfilling soil, transporting building supplies around the site, and clearing the site from waste. With their robust engines and high speeds, these dumpers can accomplish most of these tasks with ease in an efficient manner.

Tip Trucks

Tipper trucks start from as little as a 1.8 tonne payload to 10 tonnes plus. So, again, it’s easy to find the right size vehicle for the job you need. Along with the ability to carry large quantities of waste and materials, the flat, stable bed on the back of the truck makes an excellent tray for carrying extra machinery. Need a mini-dumper along with your tip truck? Put it in the back. Need a mini-excavator too? Chuck that in the back too.

Ryno offer tipper trucks that range between4.8 tonnes to10.4 tonnes GVM. The 4.8-tonne tipper truck has a 1.8-tonne carrying capacity and a 3.5-tonne towing capacity and all you need is a manual car licence to drive this one. The 10.4-tonne tipper truck contains a 5.5-tonne carrying capacity and a towing capacity of 4.5 tonnes and only an MR truck licence is needed. This means both trucks are ideal for either towing or carrying machinery or materials. With a powerful engine and easy steering system, using one of these machines is second nature to most construction workers.

Hire or buy a dumper or tip truck?

Buying a dumper can be a big investment and can take up a lot of space. There are a number of factors you should keep in mind before deciding on whether or not to buy a dumper or a tipper truck, the main being cost. Not only are the upfront costs of purchasing heavy machinery quite high, but the cost of maintaining equipment is also quite steep. Heavy machines require regular servicing and maintenance to keep them functioning properly and safely.

It is also important to think about storage. Do you have a space large enough to store heavy machinery or vehicles? Will you have to purchase space in a storage facility if you don’t have room on your property? For those that run construction sites and have their own facility, purchasing new equipment might be ideal. The benefit of purchasing new equipment is that you have access to gear without needing to organise hire and arrange for the equipment to be picked up or delivered. You can also buy the newest machinery on the market, ensuring optimal safety and functionality of the equipment. On the downside, you lose space and money pretty quickly, not to mention that your latest model will be out of date before you know it.

If you are a sole operator looking to get some landscaping work done over the next couple of weeks, then it is best to hire a dumper or tipper truck. Hiring is ideal for those that use equipment casually or for shorter or more irregular projects. Hiring is great because it is not as costly, particularly in the long term. You can also guarantee that the equipment has been maintained and serviced, meeting all of its quality checks. You will also have access to the latest technology as hiring services usually stock new equipment.

Ultimately, the decision to buy or rent depends on how frequently the machine will be used and your budget. One of the great things about hiring is that you can get a combo deal and hire multiple pieces of equipment to assist you on your construction site. This is especially handy with dumpers and tipper trucks as they are perfect for transporting other machinery.

How to hire dumpers?

If you decide that hiring is the best option for you, then follow these easy steps for hiring a tipper truck or dumper.

Find a dry hire company near you

Finding somewhere close-by means transporting your equipment will be easier. Besides looking for a company that is within range, it is also important to look for a company that has up-to-date equipment so that safety is not compromised as well as rental insurance so that everyone is covered. If you’re on a budget, you should also consider the price range of the equipment you’d like to hire. Dry hire (DIY) is an excellent option if you’re looking to save a bit of cash – as hiring a professional to operate your machines isn’t cheap. After you find your most suitable company, it’s a good idea to note the equipment you need so that you can ask about combo deals.

Compare models and sizes that you will need

If you’re not sure about the size of dumper or tipper truck you need, have a chat with the experts at the hiring company. If you’re in doubt, it’s always better to aim for something bigger than what you might need. At the end of the day, having extra room is better than struggling to get the job done in time. Of course, most places will let you upgrade providing they have the equipment you need.

Deciding to get it delivered or picked up

If you have a vehicle that is fit to tow the minimum weight of the equipment, then picking up your machinery will be the more cost-efficient option. Make sure you check your car’s owners manual to identify the maximum towing capacity. If you are unsure of your car’s towing capacity, or you are hesitant to add too much weight to your car, then getting your equipment delivered is also a good option. Delivery is usually calculated with regards to how far the site destination is from the hiring company’s office. Overall, even with the cost of delivery included, hiring is still a more cost-efficient option for most people.

Check the insurance policy for transport

Most of the time, the machinery you are hiring is insured by the hiring company while transporting heavy machinery. That is, as long as you are towing within your maximum towing capacity and obeying all road rules. However, during the actual operation of the equipment, you will not be covered by the hiring company – this is where your personal, or where your construction company’s public liability insurance should step in.

How to use dumpers?

Most of the time, you don’t need to be a trained professional to use dumpers and tipper trucks. It can, however, be a little confusing if it’s your first time using this type of equipment. At Ryno, we provide customers with brief instructions on how to use each piece of equipment, and we’re happy to have a chat on the phone if you get a little stuck in a project. A good hiring company will also provide you with the manufacturer’s operators manual that will have a more detailed description. Not to mention, there are a lot of great free resources online to help anyone that’s a little out of their depths.

Ryno Hire offers a range of heavy machinery for dry hire, including dumpers and tipper trucks. Have a look at our full range and contact us for a quote on a combo deal.