Choose a site dumper in three steps: the payload that suits the job and the access (from about 1 tonne for gardens and narrow access up to 9 or 10 tonne for bulk earthworks), the tip type for where the load has to land (front, swivel or high tip), and tracks or wheels for the ground and the distance. SM Plant Sales in Rugby supplies new Mecalac site dumpers and Slanetrac tracked high-tip dumpers, and lists parts for Mecalac, Benford, Terex, Thwaites and Wacker Neuson dumpers.
- Site dumpers run from about 1 tonne to 10 tonne payload.
- Three tip types: front tip (also called straight tip), swivel tip and high tip.
- Tracks suit narrow access and soft ground; wheels suit longer runs on firmer ground.
- In 2025 Mecalac adapted all 15 of its dumper models to the EN 474 safety standard.
- SM Plant Sales has been a Mecalac site dumper dealer for the Midlands since 2018.
What size site dumper do I need?
Choose the smallest dumper that keeps up with your excavator and fits through the narrowest gap on the route. A bigger skip means fewer trips, but only if the machine can reach the work.
| Payload | Typical work | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Up to about 1 tonne | Gardens, landscaping, rear access, work through gates and side passages | Overall width, ground protection on lawns and paths, tipping height if loading skips |
| 1 to 3 tonne | House extensions, footings, drainage runs, small housing plots | Matching the skip to a small excavator, trailer and towing limits |
| 3 to 6 tonne | Groundworks, housing sites, utilities, landscaping contracts | Site rules on visibility aids, transport between sites |
| 6 to 10 tonne | Bulk earthworks, roads, larger civil engineering sites | Haul routes, edge protection, cab and ROPS requirements |
Three questions narrow it down:
- How wide is the narrowest gap? Measure gateways, side passages and doorways, and compare them with the machine’s overall width on its spec sheet, not just the skip width.
- What is loading it? The skip should fill in a sensible number of passes from your excavator, and the excavator must be able to reach over the skip sides.
- How will it move between jobs? A small dumper on a trailer needs a tow vehicle rated for the weight and a driver with the right licence category. Larger dumpers need plant transport.
In the Mecalac range, the number in the model name is a guide to payload in tonnes: a TA3 is a 3 tonne dumper and a TA9 a 9 tonne dumper. Check the spec sheet for the exact figure.
Front tip, swivel tip or high tip: which do I need?
Front tip suits general muck-shifting, swivel tip suits tipping alongside trenches and in tight spaces, and high tip suits tipping into skips, hoppers or over walls. The choice comes down to where the load has to land.
| Tip type | How it tips | Good for | Bear in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front tip (straight tip) | The skip tips forward | General muck-shifting, backfilling, stockpiles | You approach the tipping point head-on; use stop blocks at trench and excavation edges |
| Swivel tip | The skip turns to tip to the side as well as forward | Backfilling trenches from alongside, narrow roads and plots where you cannot turn | More pivots and a swivel ring to grease and check |
| High tip | The skip lifts before it tips | Tipping into skips, hoppers, raised beds or over walls | Lift only on firm, level ground, and check the tipping height against your skip |
We sell Slanetrac HT1000 tracked high-tip dumpers new, in petrol and diesel versions.
Should I choose a tracked or wheeled dumper?
Choose tracks for narrow access, soft ground and finished surfaces you need to protect; choose wheels for longer runs, firmer ground and quicker travel. Tracked dumpers are most common at the compact end of the range, while most larger site dumpers run on wheels.
| Factor | Tracked | Wheeled |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Narrow machines that fit gates and side passages | Wider; articulated steering helps on tight sites |
| Ground | Tracks spread the weight, which helps on soft or wet ground and lawns | Suits firm ground and haul roads |
| Distance | Slow, so better for short runs | Quicker over longer runs |
| Wear parts | Tracks, sprockets, rollers and idlers | Tyres, steering rams and articulation pins |
On lawns and block paving, tracks still scuff when the machine turns, so lay boards or ground protection mats where the surface matters.
Cab or no cab? What EN 474 means for dumpers
A cab keeps the driver out of the weather, while a cabless dumper with a roll-over protective structure (ROPS) and seat belt is simpler; both are still made. EN 474 is the European safety standard for earth-moving machinery, and Mecalac’s 2025 update shows what meeting it can involve.
In 2025 Mecalac adapted its whole dumper range (TA, MDX and Revotruck, 15 models) to EN 474. The changes: hydrostatic transmission, side mirrors, an inclinometer, extra side protection with ROPS on the 6 and 9 tonne models, and a front camera on every model except the TA1. Mecalac also kept a cabless 9 tonne front-tip dumper, the TA9H, when most makers dropped theirs.
Whatever you choose, the basics stay the same: keep the ROPS raised and locked, wear the seat belt, and make sure drivers are trained and hold the card your sites ask for, such as CPCS or NPORS. Some main contractors set their own rules for dumpers on their sites, such as cameras or seat belt indicator beacons, so check before you buy.
Petrol or diesel?
Most site dumpers are diesel. On some compact tracked dumpers you get a choice: the Slanetrac HT1000 comes in petrol and diesel versions. Matching the fuel to the rest of your kit keeps refuelling simple, and some sites have their own fuel rules.
Which dumpers does SM Plant Sales supply?
SM Plant Sales supplies new Mecalac site dumpers, including the TA3SH and TA9, and Slanetrac HT1000 tracked high-tip dumpers, from our depot in Rugby. Mecalac appointed us as a dealer for its site dumpers across the Midlands in 2018, covering sales, service agreements, maintenance checks and aftersales support.
In 2025, Will Hire in Stourbridge bought two Slanetrac 1 tonne high-tip tracked dumpers, two Mecalac TA3SH 3 tonne dumpers and a Mecalac TA1 from us.
See current machines in new plant and used plant. Used stock is small and changes; at the time of writing it includes an ex-demo 2023 Mecalac 3.5MDX straight-tip dumper with 12 hours. If you are weighing up the two, read our guide to new or used plant.
Where can I get parts for my dumper?
Check parts support before you buy any dumper. SM Plant Sales lists parts for these dumper makes:
- Mecalac dumpers: 1,270 parts.
- Benford dumpers: 733 parts, and Terex dumpers: 732 parts, most of them shared (our Benford, Terex and Mecalac guide explains why).
- Thwaites dumpers: 80 parts, with 66 Thwaites models in the finder.
- Slanetrac: 58 parts.
- Wacker Neuson: 372 parts, with the DV45 to DV125 dumpers in the finder.
Use Parts by machine to see what is listed for your model, and our dumper daily checks and servicing guide to keep it running.
Questions
What size dumper do I need for a house extension or garden job?
A 1 to 3 tonne dumper is the usual choice for house extensions and garden work, with a tracked machine of around 1 tonne where access is through a gate or side passage. Measure the narrowest gap before you choose.
Is a swivel tip dumper worth it?
It is if you backfill trenches or work on narrow plots, because you can tip to the side without turning the machine. For general muck-shifting on open ground, a front tip does the job with fewer parts to maintain.
Does a site dumper need a cab?
Not always: cabless dumpers with a ROPS frame and seat belt are still made, such as the Mecalac TA9H 9 tonne front-tip dumper. Some sites set their own rules, so check with the main contractor.
Can a tracked dumper be used on a lawn?
Yes, tracked dumpers are often chosen for lawns because tracks spread the machine’s weight, but turning can still scuff the turf. Lay boards or ground protection mats on soft or finished ground.
What does the number in a Mecalac dumper name mean?
It is a guide to payload in tonnes: a TA3 is a 3 tonne dumper and a TA9 a 9 tonne dumper. Check the spec sheet for the exact payload of a given model.
Does SM Plant Sales sell new site dumpers?
Yes. SM Plant Sales in Rugby supplies new Mecalac site dumpers, including the TA3SH and TA9, and Slanetrac HT1000 tracked high-tip dumpers. Call 01788 555377, Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 5pm.