How to Operate a PTO on a Dump Truck
The PTO on a dump truck is used to open the tailgate and raise the bed of the truck, dumping its contents. Common problems dump truck operators encounter involve elevating the bed of the dump truck too high, the material not dumping out the back of the bed and the dump truck rolling. Using a PTO on a dump truck involves following procedural steps in the proper order, because if the PTO is operated out of order, you can put yourself and others at risk. Step 1 Back the dump truck to the area you want to stage your material. Put the truck in neutral and set the emergency air brake. Step 2 Flip the tailgate release switch and listen for the gate to release. If you do not hear the tailgate release, exit the cab and check the gate release hooks. If they have not released, return to the cab and flip the tailgate release switch closed, raise the rpm until the air pressure gauge indicates that the tanks are full, then re-engage the tailgate release switch. If you raise the truck's bed ...