E A RTHM OV I N G | By Curt Bennink
Dumpers and Crawler Carriers REDEFINE JOBSITE ACCESS Size limitations and poor underfoot conditions require alternatives to conventional dump trucks and ADTs.
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obsite access is perhaps the most important consideration when materials need to be moved across a construction site. Two alternatives to conventional earthmoving machines that have gained traction in North America are the site dumper and the rubber track (crawler) carrier. Due to confined work areas, European contractors have long relied on site dumpers to efficiently move and place materials. “Traditionally, the North American site dumper market has been behind other parts of the world, such as the UK, which is the current volume leader for these machines,” says Jay Quatro, commercial product manager, Wacker Neuson. “One market in particular we have seen growth in is the golf course industry. Utilizing turf tires, bulk material such as sand and topsoil can be hauled across the golf course at higher rates of speed than a traditional tractor or skid steer and placed precisely were needed.” “In the UK market, every jobsite would have a site dumper almost without exception,” Peter Bigwood, general manager, Mecalac North America, agrees. “Here, we are seeing growth in certain applications for site dumpers. Concrete contractors like to use them to bring concrete into areas where they don’t want to bring a big mixer truck or a pump. We have a concrete chute accessory that we bolt on so you can precisely place
24 EQU IPMEN T TODAY | October 2021
your concrete and not splash everywhere.” Another big application is the handling of landscaping materials. “For landscaping, hardscaping, golf courses, cem-
eteries, we put higher flotation turf tires on them so you are not tearing up the ground as you are working,” notes Bigwood. “Site dumpers are gaining popularity in North America, especially with rental equipment companies and in specialty applications,” adds Ryan Carter, Mecalac regional sales manager.
CONSIDER DUMPER BENEFITS There are many upsides to using dumpers
on a jobsite. “Site dumpers are excellent for moving bulk materials,” says Quatro. “They typically have a smaller footprint and can easily maneuver in confined areas and on busy jobsites,
as well as travel over rough terrain.” They are designed for off-road applications. “The articulated pivot point provides off-road capability and excellent traction, allowing dumpers to access areas on the jobsite that other material movers simply cannot go,” says Quatro. “Additionally, they provide excellent visibility to the load when compared to a dump truck.”
