Keeping your dump body and hoists in excellent working condition requires regular and proper maintenance. Neglecting maintenance can lead to functional issues that can cause damage to components, bodily injury, and even death. Let’s discuss some maintenance tips to keep your DuraClass body in tip-top condition.
CAUTION – Before performing any work under a raised dump body, be sure that approved dump body safety props are in place. NEVER WORK UNDER A RAISED BED THAT IS LOADED.
Maintenance Tip #1: Keep your DuraClass body clean
Cleaning your dump body regularly is crucial in maintaining its condition. Make sure to wash off any corrosive materials you may encounter in the field. Keeping the body clean will help prevent rust and other forms of corrosion from forming.
Maintenance Tip #2: Check all bolts, fittings, and fasteners regularly and keep them tight
Checking all the bolts, fittings, and fasteners regularly and keeping them tight is another essential maintenance tip. The constant vibration of the truck can loosen bolts and other fasteners, which can cause damage to the dump body and hoists. Make sure to inspect all bolts, fittings, and fasteners regularly and tighten them as needed.
Maintenance Tip #3: Greasing the body lubrication points
Greasing the body lubrication points is recommended every 100 cycles, every two months, or each time the truck is serviced. Begin by greasing the rear hinge points of the body, located on each side of the lower rear body. Next, grease the tailgate hinge points (if applicable). Raise the bed to provide easy access to grease the tailgate hinge points and high lift hinge point if equipped. Finally, with the body raised and safety props in place, grease the cylinder lubrication points. Some grease zerks may be in hard-to-find spots like the center hinge and crosshead. Check your hoist manual for a diagram of all grease zerks.
Maintenance Tip #4: Checking the oil level in the hydraulic tank
Checking the oil level in the hydraulic tank is another important maintenance tip. It is recommended to do this monthly. With the body raised and safety props in place, use a clean probe to check the hydraulic fluid level in the tank. Some tanks are equipped with a built-in probe. The fluid level should always remain between the upper and lower indention marks.
Maintenance Tip #5: Document all maintenance performed
It’s important to document all maintenance performed on your dump body and hoists. Keeping a record of all maintenance can help you keep track of when your next maintenance is due, and it can also help you identify any potential issues before they become major problems.
In conclusion, keeping your dump body and hoists in excellent condition requires regular and proper maintenance. Neglecting maintenance can lead to functional issues that can cause damage to components, bodily injury, and even death. By following these maintenance tips, you can help ensure that your dump body and hoists are always in excellent working condition. Remember, this list is not intended to be all-inclusive or include enough detail for every DuraClass product. It is intended to highlight some primary areas of maintenance.
For a visual walkthrough of these steps, watch our Maintenance Tips video by clicking the button below.