Live Bottom Trailers vs. EjectX Truck Bodies: A Comprehensive Comparison

When it comes to hauling materials, having the right truck body is paramount for safety and maximising efficiency. Two well-regarded truck bodies that stand out in the industry for increasing both aspects are the live bottom trailers and the EjectX truck bodies.

Both have been designed with unique features to meet the needs for safe hauling applications, but understanding their differences can help you make the right choice for your operations.

1. Design and mechanism

Live Bottom Trailers

The live bottom trailer is known for its moving conveyor system. This system allows for the material to be unloaded from the truck while the vehicle remains stationary. The design uses a conveyor belt that runs along the bottom of the bed, pushing the material out in a controlled manner. This is beneficial when hauling free flowing materials like sand, gravel, or asphalt as it minimises the risk of rollovers, damage, or risk on site.

Key Features

• Live Bottom Conveyor: The truck bed features a conveyor that moves materials without the need to tilt the bed, providing a safe unloading process.
• Constant Flow: The material is unloaded continuously, ensuring consistent flow and easy management.
• Minimal Site Impact: Since the truck remains stationary, it improves the safety and reduces the chance of damage around overhead obstructions, making it ideal for urban or construction site delivery.

EjectX Truck Body

On the other hand, the EjectX truck body also remains stationary however, the design uses an ejection system to unload materials in a controlled manner. A plough blade pushes the material along the body and out through the tailgate, making it ideal for unloading quickly and efficiently, with the ability to eject all material types.

Key Features

• Ejection System: The material is pushed along the body to discharge the load through the tailgate, eliminating the need for tilting or additional mechanical parts like a conveyor system.
• Versatility: Ideal for various materials, the EjectX system works well with free flowing material, as well as tougher material to unload such as clay, sticky asphalt, rock and demolition material, making it a versatile option across different industries.
• Low Maintenance: Due to the simple plough system and lack of moving parts like belts, slats and chains, the EjectX requires minimal maintenance resulting in lower maintenance cost and downtime. 

2. Performance and Efficiency

Live Bottom Trailers

• Instant Unloading: Due to the conveyor belt system to move material, the initial unloading process is instant, as the whole load moves at once, ensuring your material starts unloading instantly.
• Variety of Options: The live bottom trailers come in a variety of trailer and rigid body options. They also offer a large range of specialised attachments to increase versatility of job applications.

EjectX Bodies

• Clean Body: The EjectX system has a scraper around the plough which ensures the body is wiped clean of all material while unloading, reducing body clean out and carry-back.
• Fast Unloading: Once the plough reaches the material the EjectX tends to unload material quicker due to the large tailgate opening and not having to reply on gravity, making it a good choice for those looking to move large quantities of material in a short amount of time.
• Simple Mechanism: The EjectX system is a simple system, with few moving parts. This reduces the chance of mechanical failure, making it an excellent option for those prioritising uptime, maintenance cost and efficiency. 

3. Cost Considerations

• Live Bottom: Due to the complex conveyor system, the initial purchase cost of a live bottom trailer can be higher than that of a conventional tipper however, they come with increased safety and efficiency benefits. Additionally, the maintenance cost for the conveyor system can add up over time.
• EjectX: While the upfront cost of an EjectX truck may be similar to live bottom trailers, they are considered to have fewer maintenance requirements and downtime than the live bottom system.

4. Material Compatibility

• Live Bottom: The live bottom trailer excels with free flowing material including dry, loose materials like dirt and sand. However, they can struggle with materials that tend to clump or stick, requiring more effort to unload or clean out, as they rely on gravity to feed the conveyor belt.
• EjectX: The EjectX truck is effective with all material types particularly when unloading materials that tend to stick together, or need more controlled handling, like sticky asphalt, rock and demolition material. With no restriction to material type, it ensures that the load flows out evenly and controlled.

5. Safety and Site Impact

• Live Bottom: The live bottom trailer is safe for use in tight spaces, around overhead obstructions or uneven ground, because the truck doesn’t need to tilt there’s lower risk of accidents or material spills during unloading.
• EjectX: While the EjectX system is also safe for use in tight spaces, around overhead obstructions or on uneven ground as it doesn’t need to tilt, the EjectX has a lower centre of gravity making it an effective and safe body for both unloading as well as travel.

Conclusion

While a live bottom trailer and an EjectX truck both bring an increase to site safety as they eliminate the risks associated with tipping, bring a steady and controlled discharge of materials, improve visibility during the unloading process, and enhance operator ergonomics and safety, choosing between a live bottom trailer and an EjectX body ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.

If you require a range of attachments, prioritise instant unloading and primarily transport free flowing material, a live bottom trailer could be an option.

However, if you need faster unloading, unrestricted material haulage, and prioritise reduced maintenance costs, downtime and clean up, then EjectX might be a more practical solution.

Both truck bodies bring a range of advantages to the table, so understanding the specific requirements of your operations will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals.