It was simply tired after two decades of hauling trash. The frame and cab were in great shape with normal wear and tear, but with no signs of fatigue that are sometimes evident on large trucks. It still looked a little rough around the edges, but it was safe to use for brush and bulk collection and would be a valuable backup truck during breakdowns.įurther analysis of the 1990 rear-loader uncovered the need for suspension work as well as replacing the engine, tires, brakes, a broken axle, rotted and rusted body parts, and, of course, a new paint job. We replaced the tires and brakes for $3,000 and made some suspension repairs. I decided the 1991 rear-loader could be made serviceable without having to do a complete refurbish. I was uncomfortable with this, though I felt we needed to be self-supporting and not rely on others to make up for our deficiency. With three automated garbage trucks and two rear-loader trucks to serve a population of more than 9,000 citizens, borrowing a truck from neighboring towns had become the norm when breakdowns occurred. The town’s governing body had approved buying a 2012 rear-loader for about $225,000 shortly before I arrived, but we needed two more garbage trucks. Both were deemed unsafe to operate and too costly to repair. My first week on the job, our mechanic retired a 1990 rear-loader and parked it next to another 1991 rear-loader that was already out of service. But I had more than two decades of experience and have always thought outside the box.Īmong numerous challenges, the most obvious was the lack of garbage trucks available to fulfill our collection responsibilities. In 2012, when I was hired to oversee public works in a small New Jersey town, most municipalities wouldn't think of refurbishing a solid waste truck with more than 20 years of service. Refurbished vehicles offer something new in an old package: trucks that perform just as well at a cheaper price. Used equipment could mean buying somebody else’s problems.
#Mini garbage truck code
New trucks are good when the alternative is three engine code lights in a week and/or lost time waiting for your truck to be serviced. There are generally three options for building a public works fleet. The semi-automated does require an extra person to ensure that all containers are lined up properly before the arm picks them up.These Garbage Trucks Cost Less Than $100,000
#Mini garbage truck driver
Automated side loaders allow the driver of the vehicle to do everything from her/his seat. They can also be used for larger containers or small dumpsters at commercial sites that are on the smaller side, recycling pickup, and yard waste. They are designed to pick up household trash containers along the street without the need of a person to grab the container and unload it. The side loading garbage truck is one of the most familiar and popular trucks on the market. Since many cities and towns are issuing specific types of refuse containers to each home, we are seeing this style of truck being used less. Once the container is full, the employees compact the trash down to make room as they continue their day. Two employees ride on the back of the truck and hop off at each home to pick up and throw trash into the rear of the garbage truck. This one is popular in urban or dense suburban areas. The Dumpster is then set back in place while the container begins compacting the trash in its receptacle. Once the Dumpster is hoisted above the truck, it moves backwards to the container and is turned upside down. These trucks come in in the early morning, or evening, and pick up the dumpsters with arms that are in the front of the truck. Apartment complexes, construction sites, and office complexes routinely have dumpsters on location. There are several types of garbage trucks and we have included what jobs they are good for.įront loading garbage trucks are best used for commercial and industrial businesses who have dumpsters on site to collect as much garbage in one central location. We understand that they come to pick up our household trash (usually un-recyclable items) and take it to a landfill somewhere out of sight. Everyone who lives in a suburban neighborhood is familiar with the waste collection truck, also referred to as a garbage truck.