Best Practices for Loading Dump Trucks with Wheel Loaders
Insider Tips for Loading Dump Trucks with Wheel Loaders
The features of your wheel loader combine with the capabilities of its operator to impact the efficiency of filling dump trucks at your worksite significantly. Substantial time is spent by your loaders transporting material from one area of the job to another. To maximize productivity, we’ve put together several insider tips and recommendations for using your wheel loaders as effectively as possible.
Select the right loading pattern
In order to work efficiently, your wheel loader operator needs to minimize the distance they travel and reduce the number of turns and maneuvers they make. When loading dump trucks, we suggest using what's called the Y or V pattern. This loading pattern works by positioning your dump trucks with the rear of the vehicle just off the edge of the pile. Your wheel loader operator starts at about a 45 degree angle in relation to the dirt pile and the truck. Next they pull forward, curving to the right, toward the pile to fill the bucket, reverse back to the 45 degree angle starting position, and then pull forward curving to the left to dump into the truck, before reversing back to the 45 degree angle to begin the cycle again. The route that your wheel loader operator takes throughout the entire cycle looks similar to a Y or a V, giving the pattern its name.
It's crucial to maintain a consistent position with your dump trucks, ensuring that your Y or V isn't too large or too small. Your loader requires sufficient space for effective maneuvering, but not too much space that forces the operator to travel longer than necessary, wasting time and fuel.
Utilize wheel loaders equipped with the latest features
The path taken by the wheel loader operator during truck loading is vital, but so is having the best features and capabilities for the job. Here are some specific features to prioritize when choosing your wheel loaders:
- Boom kickout stops the boom at a preset height when lifting and assists the operator when they are consistently loading a dump truck or hopper at the same height for long period of time.
- Return to dig stops the boom at a predetermined point when lowering, so the bucket begins the cycle in the same position each time.
- Auto leveling automatically brings the wheel loader bucket from a dump or dig movement to a carrying position for traveling across the jobsite.
Armed with these three features, your wheel loader operator eliminates guesswork, saving time by minimizing mistakes and corrections.
Choose the right buckets for your wheel loaders and dump trucks
Using the right sized bucket is among the most critical factors for improving your loading efficiency and productivity. Consider the maximum capacity of the dump trucks being loaded, calculate the daily load requirements, and consult your wheel loader operator manual for capacities and tipping loads. After gathering this key information, select a wheel loader bucket that fills your dump trucks in minimal cycles without exceeding your machine’s limits.
If you have any questions about tips for your wheel loader operator, loading dump trucks, or wheel loaders in general, contact our team today.