Dump Truck Takes Down Highway Sign On I-75

there was a swift truck there, and HE DIDN'T DO THIS..???

 

As a dump truck driver...how do you even do this? I mean im checking my bed and mirrors every few seconds and it would be bloody obvious its up in the air. Ive just never understood people who allow this to happen

 

I don't understand why there isn't some kind of safety device to prevent this. This happens far too often.

 

I wonder if the PTO was ingauged.

 

A very experienced truck driver, a friend of mine who had run dumps for years was hauling tri axle loads of stone from the quarry to the asphalt plant about 2 miles away.
There was an unused RR overpass at the edge of the batch plant. Rt 512 Bath PA around 1984 or so.
On about the 13rd load that day he forgot to, or thought he had disengaged the PTO and hydraulic lever in the center position.
Apparently not. the dump body raised as he left the stockpile, hit the overpass, it collapsed onto his cab and crushed him to death.

That is why they are called accidents.

 

There’s an idiotic buzzer that most people disconnect……

And I’ve pulled down a wire after cleaning the asphalt off the dogs and tailgate right in front of the paver .No other place to clean out and that’s what we were told to do. Forgot to lower bed and didn’t get far.

The crew wasn’t happy with me on that one……

 

Mine at least does. The switch has a buzzer built into it that wont shut up if i have the PTO engaged and the brakes released. Its a tad annoying, but its one last layer between oops and a bad day and i installed it just for those dead dog tired days since i know i can make mistakes and want the peice of mind. Also has an alarm that goes absolutely ape #### if i move more then 3 MPH without the bed all the way down.... though that one doesnt work on my current trailer since i dont own it and dont want to drill holes in someone elses equipment to mount the sensors.

I suppose but at the same time gotta ask whe he wasnt checking mirrors? I cant speak for anyone aside from myself but my routine is after i dump i wont move until i verify the bed is down and wont get on the road until i get out to ensure it properly settled and everything is disengaged. Plus every truck I have used at least has a rather distinctive and loud sound when the PTO is engaged. Then if your defensive driving you should be checking your mirrors and bed every few seconds anyway and should catch it pretty fast if you screwed up or something broke.

Not trying to knock your buddy and am sorry for your less. And you are correct an accident being an accident is part of being human and it well could have been a failed part caused it besides. Plus i have my own list of mistakes so i aint no saint myself. But at the same time anyone who drives a dump has seen the vids and knows what can happen....so its not hard to get into a habit to pull up after you offload and get out to visually check and listen. I mean that is just something any good driver should do.

 

I would think that if you got up to speed with the trailer up like that a person would fill it? Should be pulling harder with all that wind going up against it.