How To Choose The Right Garbage Truck Hydraulic Cylinder?

Garbage trucks are important for waste management because they help in the collection of waste at the right time in cities and towns. Hydraulics is the life of these trucks as it controls the operations of the lifting, compacting, and dumping of the collected waste. Hydraulic cylinders are the core part of these systems that use hydraulic energy to produce mechanical movements for lifting and compressing tasks.

Selecting an appropriate garbage truck hydraulic cylinder is important to enhance performance, prevent breakdowns and enhance the lifespan of the vehicle. An improperly selected cylinder will cause mechanical breakdown, low efficiency or early wear and tear which could mean expensive replacement and downtime.

Construction of a Garbage Truck and the Role of Hydraulics

Garbage trucks are vehicles that are used to collect, compact, and dispose of waste on a daily basis. The construction of these machines involves mechanical and hydraulic systems in order to lift and compress waste before transporting it. Hydraulics plays a critical role in many of these functions. It's safe to say that without it, these tasks would be labor intensive and waste management would be much less effective.

Chassis and Frame

The chassis and frame of a garbage truck are the base of the vehicle and hold all other components in place. This part of the truck carries the entire weight of all components such as hydraulic systems, compaction mechanisms and waste storage compartments. The framework of the vehicle is usually strengthened to accommodate the heavy weight of the waste and the necessary tools and equipment for waste management. It also has attachment points for hydraulic cylinders, arms, and other essential components.

Lifting Mechanisms

Hydraulics play a significant role in the lifting systems of garbage trucks that involve the lifting of waste bins or containers and tipping their content into the truck’s receiver. Depending on the type of garbage truck (front-loader, rear-loader, or side-loader), the lifting system operates differently, but the fundamental role of hydraulics remains the same: Lifting and moving heavy waste containers with ease.

- Front-Loaders: In front-loader trucks, the hydraulic system operates the large boom arms that are located at the front of the truck. These arms scoop up large waste bins that are commonly used in commercial settings and then throw the contents into the hopper by hoisting the bin above the cab. Hydraulic cylinders regulate both lifting and tilting functions used when emptying the containers and returning them to their initial position.

- Rear-Loaders: In rear loaders, that are mainly used for residential waste collection, the hydraulic system is used to power the lifting mechanism at the back of the truck. This system engages and lifts smaller residential bins or commercial dumpsters and then places them in the truck’s rear hopper. Hydraulics are used to lift the bins, dump them into the truck and then put them down again.

- Side-Loaders: Garbage trucks with side loading systems have hydraulic arms which are fixed on the side of the truck and can be controlled by the driver. These hydraulic arms reach out to grab waste bins that are placed on the curb, lift them, and then empty the contents into a side hopper and then place the bins back on the curb. The hydraulics in side-loaders are intended to do this work fast and effectively, which means less time is spent on each collection.

Compaction Mechanism

The compaction mechanism is one of the most important features of a garbage truck because it helps compress the waste to make the truck hold more waste before it is disposed of. This helps to pack more waste in one go, thus improving efficiency. Hydraulic cylinders are a crucial component of the compaction process as they supply the energy necessary for the compaction of waste.

Hydraulic compaction mechanisms are very important in enhancing the efficiency of the truck and reducing the number of trips to the dump, which in turn saves fuel and time.

Dumping Mechanism

When the garbage truck is full or has delivered its load to a landfill or transfer station, it has to unload. This is where the dumping mechanism comes into play; the entire rear section or container of the truck can be lifted and tilted so that the waste can be dumped. Hydraulics are used to supply the power needed for this operation.

- Rear-Loader Dumping: In rear-loading trucks, the entire rear section of the truck’s body is raised and tilted using hydraulic telescopic cylinders. These cylinders lift the back part of the truck and enable the disposal of compressed waste. The telescopic form makes it possible to achieve a long stroke within a limited space, which is necessary to achieve the required angle to empty the waste.

- Front-Loader and Side-Loader Dumping: In these trucks, the waste is emptied by tilting the body of the truck or by using a hydraulic pusher plate to push the waste out at the back. In either case, the operation is regulated by heavy-duty hydraulic cylinders that are used for lifting and turning large volumes of waste.

This mechanism is vital for the efficient and safe offloading of waste at disposal sites or waste treatment plants where efficiency and reliability of the equipment are very important.

Some of the more sophisticated garbage trucks are equipped with completely automated hydraulic systems with the vehicle’s computer controlling the hydraulic pressure and the operation sequence for lifting, compacting and emptying the garbage.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing the Garbage Truck Hydraulic Cylinder

Choosing the right garbage truck hydraulic cylinder is not about choosing the first one that is available in the market. To guarantee that the cylinder will meet the demands of the truck, endure the environment it will be exposed to, and deliver optimal performance for a long time, some factors need to be considered.

Load Capacity and Pressure Requirements

When selecting a hydraulic cylinder, one of the most important factors is the load that the cylinder will have to carry. The garbage truck hydraulic cylinder works with heavy loads of compacted waste and must be able to lift, move and compress the waste without breaking down. The bore size of the cylinder, that will determine the force it can produce, has to be chosen wisely depending on the capacity of the truck.

Stroke Length

The stroke length is the distance the piston moves when the cylinder is fully open. For garbage trucks, this is a crucial factor, particularly for the dumping and compacting systems. For instance, telescopic cylinders are used where long strokes are needed but the space is confined. Selecting the appropriate stroke length makes it possible for the cylinder to accomplish its intended purpose of either lifting the bin or fully compacting the waste.

Cylinder Mounting

Positioning of the hydraulic cylinder is very important in the system as it determines the efficiency and longevity of the system. Some of the common types of mounts include flange mounts, trunnion mounts, and clevis mounts. The type of mount to select depends on the type of movement needed, the space available for the mount, and the amount of stress the cylinder will have to bear during its operation.

Proper mounting is very important in order to avoid wear and tear on the cylinder and the garbage truck itself.

Operating Environment

Garbage trucks are used in challenging conditions, and are subject to dust, water splash, and extreme temperatures. The hydraulic cylinder is expected to operate in such conditions without corrosion or other forms of damages. Stainless steel rods, high-quality seals, and corrosion-resistant coatings are the features one should consider when it comes to the hydraulic cylinder of sanitation vehicles.

Apex Hydraulic knows that a cylinder needs to be durable when used in sanitation work, and that is why we create robust cylinders. Our cylinders undergo various tests to guarantee that they work efficiently and effectively in any condition.

Durability and Maintenance

The reliability of the hydraulic cylinder is crucial to reduce losses associated with frequent replacements and maintenance. A poor quality or wrong cylinder may cause frequent breakdowns, leakages or mechanical failures which are expensive to repair and time consuming. Using a high-quality cylinder from a reliable manufacturer such as Apex Hydraulic will guarantee the efficiency of the cylinder and minimize the need for frequent servicing.

Customization Needs

Last but not least, it is crucial to determine if the cylinder needs to be designed to meet the particular needs of the garbage truck. Hydraulic cylinders can be made to order for specific trucks to ensure that the system works to the best of its capacity and with the utmost efficiency. Apex Hydraulic is a company that focuses on designing custom hydraulic systems and allows clients to select the right cylinder design for their vehicles.

Conclusion

Choosing the best hydraulic cylinder for a garbage truck is a very important decision that affects the overall performance, reliability, and productivity of the vehicle. From identifying the different types of hydraulic cylinders to considering factors like the load capacity, stroke length and operating environment, it is crucial to understand what kind of hydraulic cylinder to select in order to have the truck running at full efficiency.

Whether you require a single-acting, double-acting, telescopic or a special hydraulic cylinder for your garbage truck, Apex Hydraulic will provide the right solution for you.