You can walk it
Most operators are aware of ‘walking’, or moving floor trailers for the efficient transport of waste and recycled materials in bulk, but the same basic principle can also be used to unload a conventional trailer, or create a more mechanized unloading pattern with moving floor trailers.
By using one or more Hallco Live Floors systems, operators of waste and recycling vehicles can speed up operations at landfill sites, transfer stations or materials recovery facilities (MRFs) – without increasing the numbers of wheeled loaders and staff – and can, at the same time, ensure safety isn’t compromised.
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One or more Live Floors units can be installed in just about any waste or recycling facility to enable vehicles to ‘self unload’ in complete safety, without having to wait in line. On landfill sites, the use of Live Floors units allows more vehicles to unload safely, as the design of these units ensures that road-going vehicles don’t have to discharge their loads directly at the landfill tip face.
Hallco Live Floors units are strong enough to stand the strain of working with waste materials and can be custom made to suit specific applications. The units can be top loaded by loading shovels if necessary and can be hitched up to bailers or static compactors. Easy-to-install snap-on slats reduce downtime in the event of damage, while single unit construction ensures quick and easy installation on site. A wide choice of drive options is available and all hydraulic circuits are factory pre-tested at full operational pressures to ensure the units can be put straight to work.
For more info e-mail info@hallcomfg.com
Containerize to optimize
Ground-level demountable container systems offer one of the most efficient solutions to the collection, transportation and disposal of waste and recycled materials. In recent years it has become increasingly important that the mounting of hooklift and skiploader equipment takes into account developments to truck chassis – and the need to get optimum payloads within national legal axle and gross weight limits.
To achieve that balance and still manufacture equipment that can work reliably in the tough waste and recycled materials environment is no mean feat. Netherlands-based VDL Containersystemen has continued to make technical improvements to its product range and early this year, introduced a new ‘CAN-control’ system with a new 130:1 control valve – giving greater control precision with much-reduced fuel costs as high truck engine revs are no longer required to operate the hooklift system.
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Another production improvement with considerable long-term operator benefit is that the latest VDL hooklift equipment is now available completely finished, powder-coated and ready for work. This saves the need to paint, or repaint units after chassis installation. This new production system ensures that a new hooklift unit can be supplied, mounted and ready for work within three days, claims the manufacturer.
VDL Containersystemen also markets a range of skiptrucks – including a unit specifically designed for the latest generations of 13–14-tonne gross 4x2 truck chassis that seem to be finding favour in urban operations where width and weight restrictions can cause expensive detours to larger units. The VDL skiptruck range comes complete with integrated container cover system, not only to meet EU legal requirements, but also to ensure that loss of material from the container when travelling is all but eliminated.
After some eight years in the industry, VDL Containersystemen now has units at work internationally, with the ability to make special options to suit individual markets; for example in Switzerland and Scandinavia where low temperatures are an issue, or in the UK where controls need to be repositioned to fit with right-hand steering applications. Special heavy duty 50-tonne capacity units for landfill, or heavy scrap applications are also available.
For more info e-mail management@vdlcontainersyst.nl
Nordic quality – worldwide applications
NTM, one of Scandinavia’s leading manufacturers of waste collection and bulk waste transportation systems, now has a product range capable of handling load capacities from 4 to 35 m3. NTM has designed and built a ‘single lift’ system capable of loading four independent waste streams at the rear of the vehicle with its Quattro system.
The model range starts with the compact K-2K and higher capacity KG-2K models, which enable two waste streams to be collected from hard-to-reach areas. The split-tailgate of the KG-2K enables the collection of bins up to 660 litres on the largest ‘slit’, with 370-litre bins on the smaller side. The K-2K is designed for 7–10-tonne gross weight chassis, while the larger KG-2K is designed for two axle chassis up to 18 tonnes and three axle chassis up to 26 tonnes gross weight.
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For collection applications where the cross-contamination of waste streams is undesirable – for example with food waste – NTM offers the KGLS-2B/KG-2B models with two completely separate bodies and tailgates, thus making cross-contamination impossible. These units are available to fit 26-tonnes gross weight truck chassis.
The collection of organic – or ‘green’ – waste can present major problems as leachate discharge and other issues can present a challenge both to reliability and legality of units in operation. NTM offers a purpose-designed unit – the KGBH-2K which is designed with higher side-walls to help prevent spillage. Containers of 660 litres on the largest ‘split’ and 370 on the smallest split can be accommodated, although an option enabling 660-litre bins on both sides is also available.
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In many markets, the use of one or two man side-loading units can be ideal as a way of reducing costs, or speeding up collections. NTM offers the OM-2K Automated Side Loader, which has the capability to fix onto and lift waste containers from up to 2.4 metres from the actual truck, empty into the hopper and replace the container, without the driver having to leave the truck cab. Hopper compaction is by ‘pendulum’ principle, which has low life-cycle operating costs due to the small number of moving parts. Side-loaders can be specified on either two- or three-axle truck chassis and come in capacities of 14–24 m3.
In addition to this range of two-compartment waste collection systems, NTM can also provide a third, non-compacting compartment located behind the truck cab, to enable a third waste stream – such as glass cullet or cans – to be collected.
For more info e-mail marina.shevtsova@ntm.fi
Going underground
A new generation of underground waste collection/storage system has been introduced by German-based Bauer GmbH. Marketed as Model GTR, the new system joins an existing range of above ground, semi-underground and completely underground products produced by this specialist manufacturer. Although the GTR is still in what the company considers to be phase one of its introduction, it has already attracted orders thanks to meeting all the demands of increased economy and environmental standards.
All that is visible above ground is a simple column and anti-slip pavement ‘plateau’. The new system has been designed from the outset to be readily accessible by children and wheelchair users. The entire collecting chamber is located below the surface, keeping odours at a minimum.
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An important safety feature is that while the galvanized metal inner container is raised for emptying, a patented, self-closing platform guarantees the safety of operatives or any passing member of the public.
The GTR has been designed to provide city authorities with the potential to install a high-capacity waste system that offers greater economies of scale – in that it requires less-frequent collection – without affecting the appearance of city centre areas where hygiene and an attractive appearance are essential. Putting waste material underground has the added advantage of keeping the waste cool in hot weather, thus reducing odours, and dry in wet weather.
For more info e-mail info@bauer-suedlohn.de
Weighing up the issues
As the waste industry develops from one where disposal costs money to a position where recycled waste materials actually have a market value, it’s essential that the amount and weight of each fraction is known throughout the whole process.
Clearly, overweight trucks can attract legal penalties, but at the same time, the higher costs of fuel and even mileage toll charges by national governments, or city authorities, point to the need for all waste and recycled materials trucks to be loaded to the optimum payload figure – without being over legal limits.
PM On-Board – now known as Vishay PM Onboard – has been supplying accredited weighing systems for over 22 years and has been producing waste container weighing and billing ID systems since 1999. The company is BSI registered and is accredited by UK National Weights and Measures.
Vishay PM Onboard’s BinWeigh system can be used for commercial billing to customers, or as an accurate guide for city authorities keen to implement a tailored collection service in each district – the bin identification capability can also provide accurate data about which districts produce the heaviest domestic waste, or which are the most efficient at recycling and segregating waste materials at source.
This enables city authorities to target effort – or educational information – to those areas that need special attention, without wasting resources across a whole city. Equally, the data provided by BinWeigh technology can be helpful in deciding on the size and make-up of a new collection fleet as trends in specific waste densities can be plotted. BinWeigh is incorporated into the binlifter system, while the software is compatible with other fleet management systems and driver friendly in use.
Vishay PM Onboard also manufactures the truck underbody-mounted WasteWeigh system. This features the 1155 digital indicator with in-built self diagnostic capability. Key elements include packer-plate shutdown with key-switch control, thus preventing overload at either gross weight or on individual axles.
This UK-based company has also introduced Van Weigh for use on smaller trucks and vans in the 7.5-tonne gross weight sector and below.
For more info e-mail sales@pmonboard.com
They have lift-off
US-based Perkins Manufacturing specializes in the production of binlifters, with a range of Tuckaway models to suit all types of refuse collection vehicle design and to handle wheeled bins and containers from 840 to 1100 litres capacity. Both single and double chair lifters can be specified.
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Single chair lifters can accommodate wheeled bins of varying height and successfully locate bins even on rough terrain, it is claimed. Units can recess under the loading hopper of rear-end loaders using a sill extension modification kit. This allows the RCV to operate on both residential and commercial collection routes. The double width models can lift two domestic wheeled bins at one lift, or a single, larger container up to 1100 litres capacity. Lift capacity is up to 680 kg.
In addition to successful, currently available binlifters, Perkins has recently introduced a new automated container, the PAC. This enables operators of conventional commercial waste-handling front-end loaders (FELs) to convert their machines to work on domestic waste collection rounds, if required. The PAC system has a capacity of 3.30 m3 and a lift capacity of 2267 kg. Using the PAC system, the driver of the FEL can pick up smaller individual containers, using a 140 cm-reach arm, which is used to load the main FEL-liftable container. When commercial containers have to be collected, the PAC system can be quickly and easily demounted via Q-hitch connections.
For more info e-mail tuckaway@perkinsmfg.com
Top choice
It can be difficult to select the right waste materials handling system to match your operational needs, but working with a leading industry suppler with a number of different solutions is a good place to start. And that’s exactly what HydraTech aims to offer its customers. Having exclusively represented the SpiroFloor system for many years, together with the Live Floors range of products for truck and trailer unloading manufactured by Hallco, HydraTech has a range of products capable of solving the toughest waste and recyclable materials challenges.
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HydraTech has considerable experience in providing solutions to deal with baled, bagged and compacted materials, as well as difficult materials such as glass cullet, tyre crumb and refuse-derived fuel (RDF). The savings and efficiency gains to be made from a well-designed and custom-built internal ‘static’ waste transfer facility are of increasing importance as recycling percentages increase and the costs of keeping trucks waiting for a wheeled loader or telehandler continue to rise. HydraTech specializes in such applications, with all units supplied complete with hydraulic power packs and PLC (Programmable Logic Control) technology to enable automatic control and operation.
The recently introduced TopLoader system provides a further solution to enable the improved handling of bulky recycled materials such as wood waste, compost and shredded paper/cardboard fibres. One of the key advantages of this system is that it does not require the construction of deep pits and that all moving parts are located above the material being loaded – so there is no direct contact with abrasive materials. With low energy costs, the TopLoader system can handle a wide range of materials, is completely automatic and enables trucks to back right up to the unit for loading with a much-reduced likelihood of damage or accident compared with some existing systems.
For more info e-mail hydratech@planet.nl
Get XR rated
The Finland-based Hiab group has announced that operators of its new Multilift XR Power range of hooklift demount systems are reporting quicker turnaround times and higher vehicle utilization. This is thanks to a series of customer specifiable options that enable the recently introduced units to be more closely tailored to operational demands.
But the big gains are in improved safety, comfort and ease-of-use for the driver. All new XR Power hooklifts are controlled by a PLC (Programmable Logic Control) system that is mounted in a newly-designed console. This is clipped to the driver’s seat or can be used with a ‘wanderlead’ i.e. attached to the host machine by a flexible cord.
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The new control panel is not only easier to use, but it can be tailored to meet the demands of the job without the need for expensive modifications to the truck’s own dashboard control panel.
The Multilift XR Power range offers a two speed hooklift and slide capability – enabling lightweight or empty containers to be lifted more quickly, while dialling-in maximum hydraulic torque to lift heavier units slowly and accurately. A ‘friction relief’ option is designed to reduce the sometimes unpleasant noise levels when a fully loaded older container is lifted.
Alternatively, the customer can specify proportional speed control, whereby the hydraulic system will select the fastest, most efficient speed for any operation taking into account the weight of the load. A third control option – fully automatic – is likely to prove popular for operators using agency drivers without extensive hooklift experience, as it affords an added safety bonus.
The XR Power range has further advantages: the complete unit is painted and/or coated prior to assembly to ensure maximum durability, and is supplied with a mounting kit for rapid and weld-free mounting. At the same time, additional equipment such as bogie blocking cylinders (to ‘fix’ truck suspension systems during loading), container covering systems and trailer controls can be programmed into the PLC as required.
For more info e-mail anna.saarukka@hiab.com
