Dump bodies move material fast, but the hoist system underneath the bed is what actually determines how well
that truck holds up over years of daily use. Most work trucks use one of two hoist types — a hydraulic cylinder
system or an electric-over-hydraulic (12-volt actuator) system — and the choice affects lift capacity, cycle
speed, upfitting cost, and how much maintenance the truck needs down the road. At
Star Truck Equipment in Wharton, TX, we build and install
dump bodies for contractors, landscapers, and
municipal fleets across Texas and Louisiana, and we spec the hoist to match how the truck is actually used —
not just what’s cheapest to bolt on.

Hydraulic Dump Hoists

A true hydraulic hoist runs off a PTO-driven or engine-driven pump that pressurizes a hydraulic cylinder,
giving it the lift capacity to handle full loads of gravel, sand, dirt, or debris without straining. Hydraulic
systems cycle up and down quickly, hold their position under load, and are the standard choice for
flatbed dump inserts and full dump bodies
that see heavy daily use. The tradeoff is a more complex install — PTO, pump, reservoir, and hydraulic lines —
which means a higher upfront cost and periodic fluid and hose maintenance.

Electric-Over-Hydraulic Dump Hoists

An electric-over-hydraulic hoist uses a 12-volt DC pump wired straight to the truck’s battery instead of a
PTO, powering a smaller hydraulic cylinder. These systems are simpler and less expensive to install since
there’s no PTO or driveline tie-in required, which makes them a popular choice for lighter-duty dump inserts
and occasional-use trucks. The tradeoff is lower lift capacity and slower cycle times than a true hydraulic
PTO system — fine for landscaping debris and light aggregate, but not the right choice for a truck hauling
full loads of gravel or dirt every day.

Which One Should You Choose?

• Daily heavy hauling (gravel, dirt, debris) — hydraulic PTO hoist for capacity and cycle speed
• Occasional or light-duty use — electric-over-hydraulic for lower cost and simpler install
• Budget-conscious upfits — electric systems avoid PTO and driveline modification costs
• Fleet longevity — hydraulic PTO systems generally hold up better under sustained heavy cycling

We install both hoist types on
CM and
Norstar dump-capable flatbeds, and we’ll walk
you through the tradeoffs based on what you’re hauling, how often, and what your budget looks like — not just
sell you the hoist with the biggest margin.

Get the Right Dump Body Hoist for Your Truck

Star Truck Equipment builds and installs dump bodies and dump inserts for contractors and fleets across
Texas and Louisiana from our shop in Wharton, TX. Call us at (979) 532-1486 or browse our
flatbed truck bodies and
truck beds for sale to get started.