If you're in the gravedigging industry, chances are you've used a dump truck to help manage the dirty work at some point.
But are dump trucks really the best fit for that job?
While they're excellent in other industries, using a dump truck as part of your gravedigging process isn't the best idea. From damaging expensive headstones to simply being inefficient, cemetery dump trucks can actually take away from your professional image.
Why is it a bad idea to use dump trucks in a cemetery?
Why, exactly, are dump trucks an issue in the graveyard industry? Here are a few things to consider.
Dump trucks are too wide.
Cemetery dump trucks are wide and high, making it easy to knock down or chip headstones when navigating through the narrow aisles of a graveyard.
A headstone is meant to be an everlasting memorial that marks the resting place of a loved one, a place friends and family can return to in order to reflect on beloved memories or find solace during hard times. The last thing they want to see when visiting the gravesite is a fallen or damaged gravestone.
And headstones are not cheap. While many factors contribute to the overall cost of a headstone, funeral planning website Ever Loved states that the average headstone costs $2,000. According to Milano Monuments, gravestones range from approximately $600 for a ground-level stone to over $4,000 for an upright stone.
Damaging gravestones can be viewed as a major sign of disrespect. It also reflects poorly on the property manager, which may cause them to lose future business from those with loved ones residing in that cemetery. It can also lead to out-of-pocket expenses for your business, cutting into your profits and damaging your reputation.
Heavy dump trucks can leave ruts in cemeteries.
A professional image is important. A family wants a graveyard that's in nice condition. A gravesite manager needs a gravedigging team that will respect the property and leave it in good condition.
Imagine showing up to your grandmother's resting place on her birthday and finding torn-up grass and deep tire marks on her grave. How disgusted would you be? Why would you create that sort of experience for anyone else? The best way to avoid ruts in a cemetery when you're digging and filling graves is to scrap the dump truck and use lightweight equipment designed to travel on delicate terrain.
If you're currently dealing with ruts, here's how to repair them.
Cemetery dump trucks are expensive.
Dump trucks can be quite costly. New dump trucks cost around $100,000-$150,000 and used ones cost approximately $30,000-$100,000 according to Trux. And don't forget about fuel and regular maintenance on the truck.
If you're a new gravedigger, or even if you've owned your business for a while, buying a cemetery dump truck is a big investment on top of financing other gravedigging equipment. Pricing for used cemetery trucks is much better but still may not be worth the damage and ruts it could cause.
So, if a dump truck isn't the right investment for you, what should you use to haul grave dirt?
Increase your professionalism with a cemetery dirt trailer.
Small cemetery dirt trailers are often the more efficient and affordable option. The self-propelled Equipter RB3000 is a compact dirt-moving dump trailer that fits into tight spaces, hauls up to 4,740 pounds of dirt, and works well with compact cemetery digging equipment.
What makes it ideal for the gravedigging process?
- Narrow/compact design
At 6 ft wide, the Equipter RB3000 is narrow enough to fit between most gravemarkers. This means your gravestones will stay intact during the entire gravedigging and refilling process. - Lightweight
Designed with an aluminum dump container, the lightweight Equipter RB3000 has little chance of damaging cemetery grass. Its wide tires also help maintain an even weight distribution to ensure you keep your worksite in tip-top shape. - Less conspicuous
A dump truck is an eyesore to have parked on site during a burial ceremony. The Equipter RB3000 is smaller and easier to park behind a shed or maintenance building until the ceremony is complete and the dirt needs to be returned to the grave.
See how the Equipter RB3000 could take your gravedigging business to the next level. Watch how the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery uses the RB3000 to maintain respectable, professional grave management for their residents or click below to get more info on the Equipter RB3000.
