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Is a 13000 lb front axle a problem for a dumptruck

Jim Dandy

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Oct 19, 2009
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172
Location
VA
Looking at an 08 Mack Pinnacle that was a former oil field winch truck now converted to a dump truck. It has 44000 lb rears with a lift axle (3 axles total in the rear). Double frame, heavy spec truck. My question is the 13000 lb front axle a problem for a dump truck? Under certain loaded conditions with that front axle would I be in violation of some DOT rule? I have always struggled to understand the over axle weight violations/bridging rules and don't want to buy a truck that will cause me headaches. Thanks for your time.
 

lantraxco

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Jan 1, 2009
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Elsewhen
It's way light, I can never understand spec'ing out a truck with 44K rears and a light front axle. As long as the drop axle is far enough forward and you can get enough weight on it, you can probably stay legal. You may have trouble with springs, hangers, kingpins, spindles, etc. But people do it.

:my2c
 

GregsHD

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Sep 26, 2014
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557
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Mahood Falls, BC
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Self Employed HD Mechanic
Looking at an 08 Mack Pinnacle that was a former oil field winch truck now converted to a dump truck. It has 44000 lb rears with a lift axle (3 axles total in the rear). Double frame, heavy spec truck. My question is the 13000 lb front axle a problem for a dump truck? Under certain loaded conditions with that front axle would I be in violation of some DOT rule? I have always struggled to understand the over axle weight violations/bridging rules and don't want to buy a truck that will cause me headaches. Thanks for your time.

That is not a heavy spec truck, 18 - 20k steer with big boots, dual boxes and 46-65k rears is heavy spec. I would walk away, any "converted" hwy tractors i've run across were a sorry excuse for an on/off road dump truck. That Mack would be constantly overloaded leading to never ending repairs, never mind the violations etc.. Getting a properly spec'd truck is the only way you will be happy!
 

td25c

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Feb 14, 2009
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5,250
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indiana
Yeah Jim ... Nice looking truck .....

At the same time I like easy decisions ... Hell no at that asking price ! No ... Keep looking .
 

Jim Dandy

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Joined
Oct 19, 2009
Messages
172
Location
VA
Supposedly a change of tires can increase the "rating" of the front axle. Do any of you know if this is true and if so how much will the right tire size increase the rating of the front axle? Thanks for your time.
 

clintm

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Jul 7, 2013
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974
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charlotte nc
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trucking,concrete recycling,grading, demolition
different springs and axle and steering components, for that much money you could buy a factory dump truck stay 2006 back in a mack before volvo screwed them up and make sure it's a AI engine stay away from the AC engines
 

Shimmy1

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Aug 14, 2014
Messages
4,352
Location
North Dakota
If you're heart is set on this truck, that axle will be fine AS LONG AS you keep the pusher down when you're loaded. It's not a steerable so that can be done. It's also possible that the front could be bumped up with different springs. 18 or 20's do generally have double steering gears though. That price is way crazy, even with under 300,000. I'm not a Mack guy, but if that engine has a EGR valve or a DPF, you couldn't pay me to own that truck. Highway trucks make good dumps, IF they are going to stay on the highway.
 

lantraxco

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Jan 1, 2009
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Elsewhen
The tag on the truck will tell the weighmaster what's legal if he wants to get picky. Putting bigger tires on will just increase the strain on the kingpin bushings and the steering gear. My worry on these light axles is the spring hangers, they tend to break anyway when you're onsite and bouncing across rough ground with the tag axle up.
 

clintm

Senior Member
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Jul 7, 2013
Messages
974
Location
charlotte nc
Occupation
trucking,concrete recycling,grading, demolition
it's got a volvo/mack MP engine should have a DPF with fluid
 
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