The history of the dump truck, a vehicle considered essential for the transport of bulk cargo, began in the first quarter of the 20th century.

Traditionally, dump trucks are divided into 2 types according to the configuration of the body that influences the scale of their operation.

Trucks belonging to the first type (known as standard) empty their beds at the rear of the vehicle. The mechanism includes the hinges, mounted at the rear of the chassis, and a single solid hydraulic ram, attached under the front of the body. The hinges hold the bed together and allow it to rise vertically, while the hydraulic ram provides enough force to lift the bed at a steep angle.

Standard dump trucks can be used successfully provided that the sites have enough space around them. Although the dump platform unloads only at its rear end, operators must maneuver to find the correct position for dumping.

When the location is limited in space, it is reasonable to take advantage of a three-way dump truck that represents the second common type of dump truck. As it comes from the name of the category, the three-way structure allows to unload a vehicle on three sides: rear, right and left. The exterior design of this type is similar to the previous one. The bulk material is transported in a metal box and stability is provided by a reinforced frame. The difference is under the download platform. Unloading options are made possible by four hydraulic cylinders, equipped with transverse joints to organize movement. Raising two of the hydraulic cylinders on the right side of the chassis allows the platform to tilt to the left and vice versa. And the tilt of the bed backwards is done by those two hydraulic cylinders that are fixed behind the cabin.

According to practical applications, dump trucks are divided into road network models and off-road versions. The latter category includes regular-size trucks, heavy dump trucks (also called haul trucks) to serve in heavy industrial and high-production mining environments, and articulated haulers for hauling loads over the roughest terrain.

The latest innovations in dump truck development are hot for the mining industry. The largest truck manufacturers are involved in the R&D project that aims to promote the use of autonomous dump trucks for mining and enhance commercial advantages.

The innovative trucks are fully equipped construction vehicles, capable of navigating and operating in full autonomy both on land and on land. GPS technology and numerous sensors allow continuous reading of the environment, navigation of obstacles (fixed or mobile) and the collection of other data necessary to determine the route and ensure traffic safety. In addition to that, the system allows you to plan a route ahead of schedule and automatically change it on the move should a need for revision suddenly arise.

The project is said to improve productivity and fuel economy in the mining sphere and perfect autonomous technologies before expanding their use on public roads.