3 Things Most People Don’t Know about Garbage Trucks

Some essential information that you should know about garbage trucks  are that they have basic parts which include the engine, frame and  wheels; their distinctive features are the hopper and the packer blade;  and they have different loading mechanisms.

Garbage trucks are useful tools for waste management. Over the years  these trucks have evolved from vehicles with basic trash-collecting  capabilities to sophisticated machines with big truck parts that enable  complex mechanisms. Whether you are planning to invest in this type of  equipment or are simply interested in knowing more about them, here is  some essential information about garbage trucks:

Basic parts include the engine, frame and wheels

Although there are many garbage trucks with different features, all  of them have the common basics that include the engine, the frame and  the wheels. These three parts are heavy duty and designed especially to  withstand heavy pressure and carry heavy loads. As for the truck’s  engine, it typically utilizes a diesel engine and transmission which  enables low end torque, limited speed, and better hauling capacity and  durability. The garbage truck also has a cab where the driver can sit  and operate the vehicle. Usually the truck’s controls are also in the  cab, but some trucks have other controls found in the exterior of the  truck.

Distinctive features are the hopper and the packer blade

The garbage truck collects and contains the trash in a part known as  the hopper which is typically a large and open space that makes up most  of the trucks’ mass. However, there are also hoppers that are  compartmentalized in order to contain different trash. Hoppers that are  equipped with a packer blade are known as compactors. Packer blades are  useful for compressing garbage in order to maximize the space in the  hopper. A hydraulic system controls the packer blade and allows it to  exert maximum pressure on garbage. More modern garbage trucks are  designed to be able to operate the packer blades simultaneously while  driving. The garbage truck’s hopper and packer blade are what sets it  apart from other vehicles and multipurpose carts.

Different loading mechanisms

There are different configurations in the loading mechanism of  garbage trucks. The rear loader is the most common configuration and can  be seen in garbage trucks used in many neighborhoods. These garbage  trucks have an opening at the rear, connects to the hopper, and  sometimes has a hydraulic lift which is used to haul and dump garbage  into the hopper. Another is the front loader type of configuration,  commonly used for collecting trash from dumpsters. Large businesses and  commercial buildings typically utilize this type of garbage truck. Front  loading trucks feature forks at the front of the truck which can be  connected to corresponding dumpsters which are then tilted over the  truck so its contents can be dumped into the hopper. Side loaders are  another type which has doors installed at the truck’s sides and are  connected to the hopper. Recycling trucks with multiple hoppers for  different wastes have side loaders. Side loaders may also have automatic  lift mechanisms.

Like many equipment, garbage trucks are constantly innovated to suit  different demands and situations. Understanding this equipment will  allow for better and more effective maintenance and repairs.