Each type of garbage truck offers unique benefits. Depending on your operations and capacity and industry requirements, one type may meet your needs better than another. Below, you can learn more about the four common garbage truck types and how to choose the right one for your business.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Garbage Trucks and Loaders
Like any type of equipment, choosing the ideal garbage truck model with essential capabilities and features is crucial to business success.
- Efficiency: The engineering and design of garbage trucks are specific to their use cases. Choosing the right truck enables you to complete operations efficiently with critical features and appropriate capacities for refuse handling.
- Cost-effectiveness: Using the right equipment to complete critical tasks can be cost-effective for several reasons. For example, proper equipment use can translate to fewer maintenance and repair needs. Additionally, increased efficiency can allow you to save time and get more done at once. You can also find savings by allocating the appropriate resources to your equipment rather than overspending on features you don’t need or comprehensive maintenance for advanced technologies.
- Safety: You can enhance driver safety by giving operators access to the right vehicle. A garbage truck with proper handling capabilities and weight capacities ensures optimal vehicle performance and allows you to enable the features necessary to enhance driver comfort and safety while on the job.
- Business sustainability: Choosing the right garbage trucks allows you to scale operations as necessary to ensure business sustainability. Reliable garbage trucks empower you to maintain customer satisfaction and make a long-term investment that pays off through enhanced efficiency, driver safety and environmental responsibility.
The 4 Different Types of Garbage Trucks
The most common types of garbage trucks are front loaders, side loaders, rear loaders and roll-off garbage trucks. Below, learn more about each type, including unique advantages and compatibility with residential and commercial refuse service needs.
1. Front Loader Garbage Trucks
A front loader garbage truck uses hydraulic arms to lift trash containers over the truck to deposit the contents into a waste bin. These trucks move waste to the back of the vehicle and compact it for efficient operations. Most often, businesses rely on these trucks to empty commercial waste bins like dumpsters.
A few points and benefits to note are:
- High lifting capacities, often more than 8,000 pounds
- Large storage volume for hauling up to 40 cubic yards of waste
- Enhanced efficiency and route productivity for commercial applications
2. Side Loader Garbage Trucks
These garbage trucks are ideal for residential waste disposal and collection. Older side loaders require drivers to manually empty waste bins into the vehicle, while new models offer controllable arms for streamlined lifting. Automated side loaders are more efficient than manual models and can be safer for workers. By reducing the need for manual lifting, automated models can reduce the likelihood of worker injury and streamline loading operations.
Some features to note include:
- Manual or automatic varieties for business flexibility
- Ideal for residential waste hauling needs
- Increased collection speed in residential areas
3. Rear Loader Garbage Trucks
Rear loader garbage trucks can meet commercial and residential refuse needs, making them ideal for many businesses. These trucks have a large rear opening where workers can empty trash containers. This massive back opening allows workers to collect large quantities of waste, optimizing daily routes.
Features and benefits of rear loader garbage trucks include their varying sizes and weight capacities, among a few other components:
- High capacity for servicing hundreds of homes or businesses daily
- Manual loading capabilities to meet varied waste containers
- High efficiency and adaptability for waste management companies and municipalities
4. Roll-Off Garbage Trucks
Roll-off garbage trucks have a unique design. These vehicles transport large waste receptacles to local landfills or another waste collection point and then return the receptacles to their original locations. Typically, these trucks either use a cable winch or hydraulic arm to move the waste bin to the back of the vehicle. One of the top advantages of roll-off garbage trucks is that they are suitable for bulky materials, such as those that may be on a construction or demolition site.
Other components to note include:
- Increased capacities to haul up to 10 tons of trash per trip
- Efficient loading mechanisms through hydraulic arms or cable winch systems
- Ideal for handling large waste receptacles, bulk materials and construction or demolition debris
What to Consider When Choosing a Garbage Truck
While you likely have an idea of the type of garbage truck that will suit your needs, it’s important to assess the unique details of each model to make the most effective decision. Consider these elements when selecting your garbage truck:
- Residential or commercial needs: One of your first considerations should be whether you are servicing residential or commercial areas. You should also evaluate whether you plan to scale your operations to include both service types in the near future. After establishing this baseline, note how many houses or commercial locations your drivers will visit daily to gather an estimate of weight capacity needs.
- Safety features: Safety is critical for all business operations. Some trucks may come with equipped safety features, while others may require you to invest in attachments and accessories. Evaluate each model, refer to manufacturer recommendations and discuss safety options with your provider. Also, look into additional safety measures such as investing in driver training. Training programs can equip your drivers with best practices on the road and enlighten you about the unique features of your vehicle from your truck provider.
- Provider reliability: Where you get your garbage truck is just as important as the model you choose. Reliable providers offer ongoing support, provide on-site or shop services, and connect you with knowledgeable team members to address any concerns that arise. Ask about customer support, additional service capabilities and certifications.
- Budget: Your budget will be a significant factor. Thankfully, there are several ways you can meet your needs and your budget. Purchasing empowers you to make a long-term investment that could save you money over time. However, renting your truck can meet tight budget needs and allow you to save on maintenance and repair costs. You can also choose between new and used models to select from trucks in your price range.
- Maintenance needs: It is important to consider equipment maintenance. Understand the requirements of your garbage truck so you can build an adequate maintenance plan. Think about choosing a provider with shop and on-site service availability to optimize your maintenance schedule and reduce downtime.
Choose a Garbage Truck From MTech
If you’re looking for a garbage truck to meet your needs, trust MTech to help you find a solution. MTech is your go-to equipment provider with a best-in-business product lineup. For proven reliability, advanced customization and unmatched durability, choose garbage trucks from Amrep by Wastequip. Connect with us to discover the MTech difference today.
