Below is the input screen for OptiTruck Dump Body Module Input and Calculation Screen.
OptiTruck’s dump body calculation module provides a means for estimating the capacity of a dump hoist, in terms of combined body weight and payload, knowing things like body length, hoist class, truck dimensions and other factors. The module uses National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) hoist classes as a basis for the calculation. More information is available on NTEA’s website – look for their ‘Hoist Database’ section.
In order for a manufacturer to certify their hoist as meeting the requirements of one of the NTEA classes, it must meet minimum capacity standards for the class across the entire dumping angle. Most often an individual manufacturer’s hoist will exceed the minimum allowable for a given class, so consider OptiTruck’s capacity calculation a minimum – usually an actual hoist will slightly outperform OptiTruck’s prediction.
Knowing basic information about a truck chassis – things like CT and afterframe dimensions – combined with basic information about a dump body – overall length and overhang – OptiTruck allows you to choose a hoist from a list of NTEA hoist classes, and will calculate the total load that the hoist is capable of dumping.
OptiTruck uses the breakaway torque mandated by the NTEA for hoist certification, combined with the information you enter for the truck and dump body to calculate the total ‘payload’ that the hoist will dump. In this case, ‘payload’ includes both the weight of the dump body and the load contained within it. OptiTruck does not check for legal axle loads in this module – only the loads that the hoist is capable of dumping. Use OptiTruck’s weight distribution module for calculation of legal payloads and axle loads.