When it comes to running a successful fleet of refuse collection trucks, choosing the right customisations is key to improving both operational efficiency and long-term performance. Whether you’re investing in new vehicles or renting, ensuring that each truck is tailored to your specific needs can lead to smoother operations, reduced costs, and happier drivers.
From selecting the right loader to optimising safety features, customising your trucks can transform your workflow, making waste collection faster, safer, and more sustainable.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to customise your refuse trucks to get the best out of your fleet, ensuring maximum uptime, efficiency, and value.
1. Choose the Right Loader for Your Refuse Collection Truck
The type of loader you choose for your refuse collection truck will significantly impact operational efficiency. Consider these loader options:
- Rear Loader: Well-suited for residential waste collection, especially in narrow streets. Rear loaders feature an opening at the back, often with a lifting mechanism, making them ideal for tight spaces.
- Side Loader: Designed for curbside collection, side loaders come with a robotic arm that automatically lifts and empties wheeled bins, reducing the need for manual labour.
- Front Loader: Ideal for industrial or commercial waste, front loaders allow quick access and efficient operation. They can also be fitted with multiple compartments for sorting different waste types at the point of collection.
- Crane Loader: Best for specialised waste handling, crane loaders use a joystick-controlled crane to lift purpose-designed bins, making them great for one-person operations.
When to Apply This Customisation:
- Before Purchase or Rental: Loader types are integral to the truck’s design, so you’ll need to decide on the loader before buying or renting the vehicle. You cannot easily switch loaders once the vehicle is in service because they are built into the truck during manufacturing. When ordering a new truck, you specify the loader type at the time of purchase. For rentals, ensure the truck comes equipped with the correct loader for your operation.
The Benefits
Selecting the right loader for your refuse collection truck ensures smoother operations, faster waste collection, and less wear and tear.
2. Customise the Chassis and Cab for Better Performance
The chassis and cab of a refuse collection truck play an important role in managing routes and payloads efficiently.
- Chassis: A robust chassis is essential for handling heavy loads and rough terrain. Choose one that matches the typical waste volume and types your fleet encounters.
- Cab Design: For urban environments with frequent stops, low-entry cabs offer improved visibility and easier access for drivers, reducing fatigue and making the truck safer to operate.
When to Apply This Customisation:
- Before Purchase or Rental: The chassis and cab are part of the vehicle’s core structure. If you’re buying, you’ll choose these customisations during the specification phase. For rentals, check that the available vehicles offer the cab and chassis configurations that meet your needs. These features are not easily modified after the truck is built.
The Benefits
Customising these components will make your refuse collection truck more efficient and comfortable, improving both its longevity and your driver’s experience.
3. Maximise Capacity and Efficiency with Customised Features
Body size and compaction systems in refuse collection trucks are critical to minimising trips and maximising efficiency.
- Body Size: Choose a body size that fits the waste volumes and route density of your fleet. A smaller body may use less fuel, but it could require more frequent trips, while a larger body allows for longer routes without needing to unload as often.
- Compaction System: Tailoring the compaction system to the type of waste you collect helps increase payloads and minimise trips to disposal sites, saving on fuel and operational costs.
When to Apply This Customisation:
Before Purchase or Rental: Both the body size and compaction system are core design elements of the truck. When purchasing, you’ll choose the body size and compaction system at the time of ordering. For rentals, verify that the available trucks have a compaction system suited to your waste type, as these systems are installed during manufacturing and cannot be changed afterwards.
The Benefits
By optimising these features, your refuse collection truck can handle more waste per trip, making operations more cost-effective and efficient.
4. Improve Safety with Advanced Features
Customising your refuse collection truck with enhanced safety features can protect drivers and reduce the likelihood of accidents, especially in busy urban areas.
- Improved Visibility: Features like the City Safe Window and City Door can be added to improve driver visibility and reduce blind spots, lowering the risk of accidents in high-traffic zones.
- Driver Assistance Systems: Adding cameras, proximity sensors, and automatic braking systems enhances safety, particularly during tight manoeuvres or while operating in crowded environments.
When to Apply This Customisation:
- Before Purchase: If you’re buying a truck, you can request these safe
- ty features during the customisation phase. Some of these features can be added to an existing vehicle through retrofitting, but it’s more efficient to include them in the original purchase.
- Before Renting: For rentals, make sure the vehicle comes equipped with the required safety features. Retrofitting a rental vehicle with safety systems is often not feasible, so choose a truck with these features already installed.
The Benefits
With these safety upgrades, your refuse collection truck can operate more securely, cutting down on the risk of costly incidents and keeping your fleet moving.
5. Focus on Sustainability with Alternative Fuels
Sustainability has become an increasingly important factor in fleet management. Customising your refuse collection truck with eco-friendly options can help reduce environmental impact and meet regulatory demands.
- Fuel Options: Consider alternative fuel sources like hybrid or electric powertrains, which can reduce fuel consumption and lower emissions. These options also help meet the rising demand for eco-friendly operations, particularly in urban areas.
- Emission Standards: Choose refuse collection trucks that meet or surpass local emission regulations. This not only helps avoid penalties but also positions your fleet as environmentally conscious, a growing factor in public perception.
When to Apply This Customisation:
- Before Purchase: Choosing alternative fuel options, like hybrid or electric, must be done at the time of purchase, as they are integral to the truck’s design. You cannot easily switch fuel types after the truck has been manufactured.
- Before Renting: For rentals, make sure the available vehicles meet the fuel efficiency and emission standards required for your operation, especially if you’re working in areas with strict environmental regulations.
The Benefits
By focusing on sustainability, you can future-proof your fleet while reducing operational costs and contributing to environmental initiatives.
6. Reduce Downtime with Easy Maintenance Features
Minimising downtime is crucial for maintaining a productive fleet. Customising your refuse collection truck with features that simplify maintenance can help keep your trucks on the road longer.
- Serviceability: Opt for trucks designed with easy access to components, reducing the time needed for repairs. A truck that’s quick to service spends less time in the workshop and more time in operation.
- Telematics Systems: Installing telematics systems allows you to monitor vehicle performance and schedule maintenance proactively. These systems can detect issues early, preventing major breakdowns and reducing repair costs.
The Benefits
Customised maintenance features keep your refuse collection trucks running efficiently, increasing uptime and lowering overall costs.
When to Apply This Customisation:
- Before Purchase: Telematics systems and serviceability features should be factored in when purchasing. Many telematics systems can be added after the purchase, but it’s more efficient to request these systems when ordering the vehicle.
- Before Renting: For rentals, look for vehicles with built-in telematics or easy maintenance features. It’s usually not possible to add these features to a rental truck, so ensure they’re already available on the trucks you’re considering.
Fleet managers looking to optimise refuse collection trucks for their operations can benefit greatly from customisation. Whether you’re buying or renting, tailoring the trucks to your specific needs can increase productivity, reduce costs, and enhance safety. Here’s how to customise a refuse collection truck for the best results.
Optimise Your Workflow and Efficiency with a Customised Refuse Collection Truck Fleet
Customising your refuse collection trucks can have a direct, positive impact on your business. By tailoring the loader, chassis, cab design, and capacity to suit your specific operational needs, you’ll increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and cut operational costs. Investing in safety features and sustainability options not only enhances driver safety but also strengthens your business’s reputation as a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious operation.
Ultimately, a well-customised fleet will allow you to serve more customers efficiently, reduce maintenance costs, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry, providing long-term value for your business.
Get Refuse Collection Truck Efficiency with Trest
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