Mini dumper drive systems
A quick over view of different dumper drive systems.
Our mini dumpers have a few different drive systems with differing pros and cons.
The lower priced petrol mini dumpers have a 3+1 gearbox. This gearbox has 3 forward and one reverse gear. Manually selected moving the gear stick left to right. This system is reliable and robust. You will find it takes a little more getting used to than other transmissions and greater strength in your hands to operate. This type of gearbox is used to keep the machine cost down. This type of transmission will require the most maintenance. You can minimize maintenance my using 1st gear when using a loader or in tight site areas when the dumper is loader, 2nd gear when loader and traveling distance over relatively level areas and 3rd when transporting when empty. 3+1 models are MD300R, MD300G, MD300, MD500, MD500H, GAMULD5H
The next step up for the petrol mini dumper is the 6+2 gearbox. This gearbox offers 3 forward gears and one reverse gear, with an addition high and low range selection meaning you have 6 forward drive options and 2 reverse. The gears are selecting from a “H” pattern similar to the lay out in a car. The 6+2 gearbox requires less input forces on the controls and is generally more user friendly. This type of gearbox also gives the dumper greater ground clearance improving off road ability. The drive belt and cable will need regular adjustment, this can be minimized by selecting the gear appropriate for the situations, like the strategy suggested for the 3+1 gearbox above. Models with 6+2 gearboxes are MD500HPR0, MD500HPROS, MD500HPROHT, MD500HPROHTS, MD800HPRO.
Premium dumpers have a hydraulic drive system. This system has no manual gearbox and the travel speed is determined by the level of input from the control lever for the given track. The mini dumper will have a travel lever for each track that can be controlled independently. This will allow greater control and the ability to spin on the spot. This type of transmission requires no regular adjustments and will only need oil changes when serviced. The controls are easy to use and someone with little or no experience can use this with no issues. Our hydraulic drive models are VH500GXAHT, GAMULVH5PRO, VH500GXARS
To summarize
The 3+1 is good and reliable but made for a price, with user-friendliness suffering.
The 6+2 offers benefits over the 3+1 with increased user friendliness and reduced maintenance, with the addition of improved off road performance.
The hydraulic drive dumpers have the best system easy to use and with low levels of maintenance, with the downside of the addition costs.
What model is right for you?
3+1 Is the budget option the one harder to use and takes the most looking after great for home use and light business use, Not good for smaller or weaker hands!
6+2 Home use and light business, If you are a small business/ owner operator who will ensure the machine is used and maintained correctly. This type of machine also requires less force to operate the controls for people with weaker / smaller hands.
Hydraulic, Business and home use where the machine is used regularly or situations where people are unwilling or unable to perform regular maintenance.
Basically the more you pay the less maintenance and easier to use!
