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TRACK RECORD

Unlike either compressors or backhoe loaders, dumpers not only produce high utilisation figures, but according to our plant hire round-up, good profit margins as well. Hirers say every builder needs a dumper at some time during a contract and is prepared to pay a realistic weekly rate for it.







UTILISATION

From the simple concept of a ride on powered wheel barrow, the dumper has evolved into a genuine mini muckshifter. From two-wheel-drive rear steer to artic steering, four-wheel- drive and power shift transmissions and payloads up to 7t plus, the emphasis has changed from site runabout to production machine.



HOW MANY

ECONOMICS

Another guestimate, but we are assured by industry watchers that it is a conservative one, of 45,000 active site dumpers in the UK park. A huge proportion of these will have been pensioned off to all sorts of activities which have nothing to do with construction, leaving less than 50% in the workforce. From a high of 4,500 units in 1988 to a low of less than 1,000 in 1992, the market rose to 1,500 last year and the soothsayers predict a further rise to 2,500 plus for this year. In the UK, site dumpers have always been a part of the building scene and in spite of competition from various machines, users have resisted change.

Utilisation is high and always has been. Machines are hired in and because the cost is (relatively) low, even when not gainfully employed tend to be parked up on site rather than taken off hire. Modern dumpers definitely do more, are more reliable, safer and productive than their predecessors, and for those reasons alone hold their place in the market.