Choosing the right tracked dumper for the job
From civil construction to track building, a tracked dumper (also known as a tracked barrow) can make the job a whole lot easier, but with a wide range of models available, it’s important to get the right one for your business. Below is an overview of the main types of dumpers with some of their key features to help you determine which one is right for you.
Tracked vs wheeled dumpers
There’s a reason we only sell tracked dumpers at OMC. While traditional wheeled dumpers can get the job done, they often damage the ground, causing deep ruts. They’re also generally larger and more difficult to manoeuvre. A tracked barrow deals with bumps and slopes more easily and safely as well, with much better stability than a wheeled option.
Overall, tracked dumpers are a better choice for almost every instance you’d need a dumper.
Main types of tracked dumpers and when to use them
All tracked barrows share a lot of the same benefits, like being more stable on rough ground, handling heavy loads easily and more compact size for tight sites. But there are specialised types of tracked dumpers as well, so let’s take a look at the main types and what they’re best suited to.
Self-loading tracked dumpers
A self-loading tracked dumper has all the same benefits as a standard dumper but with an attached scoop to transfer material directly into its bin. This makes it ideal for sites with tight access or anywhere an excavator can’t fit. The scoop is also incredibly versatile and can be used to spread material out, transport heavy objects or help pack down material, perfect for drain laying where you need to back fill trenches.
The highlights:
- All-in-one machine, no digger required onsite
- Multi-use scoop for additional versatility
Great for:
- Civil construction
- Drain laying
- Landscaping
- Track building
- Anywhere tight spaces are an issues
Our recommendation:
https://www.omcpowerequipment.co.nz/product/cormidi-c1385acw-800kg-petrol-self-loading-tracked-dumper
Hi-tip tracked dumpers
At first glance, a hi-tip tracked dumper will appear pretty similar to a standard tracked dumper, but it has additional hydraulics to lift the bucket higher than a standard dumper. This makes it useful for loading material into trucks or backfilling over retainer walls, eliminating the need for additional machinery for this step or extra work by hand.
The highlights:
- Higher bucket lift for loading trucks
- Less manual work needed
Great for:
- Civil construction
- Landscaping
- Removing materials from site or backfilling over retainer walls
Our recommendation:
https://www.omcpowerequipment.co.nz/product/cormidi-c1385hi-800kg-petrol-hi-tip-tracked-dumper
Swivel-tip tracked dumpers
A swivel or pivoting tracked dumper has a box that can rotate 180˚, making it ideal for working in very tight spaces. The rotation makes loading and unloading material easy, even in the smallest spaces. It also helps minimise ground impact, saving time and money on repairing ground damage.
The highlights:
- Bucket rotates 180˚
- Minimise ground impact
Great for:
- Landscaping
- Working in very tight spaces
Our recommendation:
https://www.omcpowerequipment.co.nz/product/canycom-s120-construction-series-tracked-dumper
Concrete tracked dumpers
A concrete-specific tracked barrow has one main feature that differentiates it from other dumpers — the material of the bucket. Made from a specific type of polycarbonate, wet concrete won’t stick to it. So if you’re regularly working with wet concrete, you’ll have far less mess to clean up.
The highlights:
- Special polycarbonate bucket the wet concrete doesn’t stick to
Great for:
- Civil construction
- Anywhere wet concrete needs to be transported.
Our recommendation:
https://www.omcpowerequipment.co.nz/product/canycom-sc75-rubber-tracked-concrete-dumper
The bottom line
Choosing the right tracked dumper for your needs comes down to what your main priority is or what you’re doing with it 90% of the time. The Cormidi C85HI hi-dump and Cormidi C85ACW self-loading models are by far our most popular tracked dumpers as they offer more versatility in a range of situations. And don’t forget that some models will combine a few features, like the Canycom SC75 Rubber Tracked Concrete Dumper, which also has a swivel bucket.
Our team is well-versed in all the specifications of our range of tracked barrows and will make sure you get the right one for your business. We’ll even come out to you for a demo and deliver your new machine for free! Get in touch today.