Monthly Archives: December 2014

Why are trash trucks so expensive?

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Posted in Garbage Trucks

GOING GREEN

In the last decade, trash trucks have gone over a complete transformation regarding emissions. With the introduction of CNG (compressed natural gas) and laws pushing the emission standards higher from the EPA, trash trucks are becoming more complex and expensive!

The major contributor to the price increase is change. Going green is great and we are all for it, however, the price of changing these trash trucks into more environmentally friendly machines is costly. The amount of research and development that trash trucks are undergoing to meet new emission standards is extremely high. Many companies are distributing a substantial amount of capital for new technology to meet these standards.

TECHNOLOGY AND EPA

The new trash trucks are also being monitored by computer and sensor add-ons. More sensors means more costs. Things like Auto-Cycles, Quick Packs, and Auto shutoffs are becoming the norm. This has given a new trash truck, (CNG) or otherwise, a price that is equivalent to buying a new house!

Expensive trucks means big payouts, right? We would like to think that but this is not always the case. Well, who is making the big bucks? The profits are being consumed by OEM manufacturers. With the emission standards set so high, manufacturers have built a product that meets each criteria exactly which they charge a premium price for. Basically, as EPA requirements expand the price of trash trucks rises.

WHAT TO DO

A lot of businesses in the garbage truck industry are trying to save by buying used instead of new. The price is much much lower and if sent through a professional service shop like the one here at RDK, your used truck will look brand new! We check all the bells and whistles to make sure you are happy and receive a Premium Used Trash Truck! Call us today!

What is your trash truck worth?!

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Posted in Garbage Trucks

WHAT’S SHE WORTH?

Trash trucks are becoming more and more expensive every year. With the changing emissions and technological add-ons, the price of trash trucks has gone up tremendously. Where does that leave you and how much is your trash truck REALLY worth?!

How many miles does it have? How about Hours? What is the make or model? Is it a Single Frame or a Double Frame? What features does your trash truck have? The Trash truck is a complex machine and comes in many different makes and models. Mack, Autocar, Heil, Ez-Pack, Galbreath, and Volvo, are just a few big names you will find in the industry. Each one has a different effect on the price because of how they are built, their reputation, and the overall quality of their product.

Is it a Front Loader? Well, you definitely will be paying more for that trash truck! The type of truck you own plays a big role in what she is worth. Roll offs and Rear Loaders are priced differently just like cars and SUVs. These are just the basic portions of your price and sell value.

What really decides how much your trash truck is worth?!

Three Things

  1. Miles
  2. Hours
  3. Overall Condition

These three factors play a crucial part in the price of your trash truck. Like any vehicle, the lower the miles or hours the better! Finding the middle ground between how much the truck has been used and how much it is worth dives into a much more complicated question. What is the overall condition? This usually requires a professional who has been in the industry for a substantial period to analyze your trash truck.

WE WILL BUY YOUR TRUCK

GO to our website and click the sell/trade your truck button. We will get back to you as soon as we can with an offer! To find out more information from a professional and receive a quote for your trash truck, please contact the RDK family! Call Today!

When do garbage trucks need serviced??

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Posted in Garbage Trucks

CHECK HER OUT SHE LIKES ATTENTION

Did you check the oil, the hydraulic system, the brakes, the tires, or the front ends? If not you better go check again. There are several questions an owner of garbage trucks has to ask himself on a daily basis to keep his trucks working hard! If you take care of her she will take care of you!

Rear loaders, Front loaders, Side loaders, and Roll-offs all have different service intervals. The intervals are based off a few similar characteristics that all garbage trucks share. The environment they work in also plays a big role in how often your trucks need serviced.Elements such as lead and acid tend to expedite the erosion of main components if not taken care of during a normal PM (Preventive Maintenance) appointment. The industry average for a typical PM service checkup for non synthetic is around 300 hours and for synthetic it is 600 hours . This checkup is essential because it can show you problems arising in your garbage trucks before they become critical and cost you money! Here is a quick reference for you to use that we found, written by Galbreath, referencing a Tandem Cable Roll-off Hoist.

Daily Inspections

  • Hydraulic Components
  • Hydraulic and air leaks
  • Oil level
  • Structural components and welds
  • Front and rear stops
  • Sheave blocks
  • Rear hinge
  • Pivot Points
  • Rollers
  • Cable and cable ends
  • Control rod or cable linkage
  • Nuts and bolts
  • Shafts and Cotter keys
  • Lamps
  • Reflectors
  • Electrical wiring
  • Back up and hoist up warning systems

Weekly Inspections

  • Grease all grease fittings

Every Three Months

  • Inspect the condition of hydraulic oil for proper color, odor, and feel

Every Six Months

  • Replace the hydraulic oil filter
  • Replace air breather

Every Twelve Months

  • Replace hydraulic oil
  • Replace air and hydraulic oil filters
  • Clean suction strainer

TALK TO A PROFESSIONAL  

A few good tips from the RDK family on taking care of your garbage trucks are to keep it greased once a week, inspect your tires often, make sure you have no leaks, and that everything on the truck is operating correctly. Professional mechanics can be much more precise with checking your garbage truck’s condition. Inquire about service at RDK and your truck will be in the hands of mechanics with a combined knowledge of 80+ years in the garbage truck industry. Call today!

What is the best Garbage Truck for you?!

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Posted in Garbage Trucks

When someone is looking for a garbage truck, what do they think? Most people see these magnificent trash hauling machines once or twice a week and think very little of it. Well we know better!

Garbage Truck Types

Garbage trucks have many different specifications and require the know how to purchase the right one for you. Do I need a rear loader, front loader, side-loader, recycle truck or a roll-off Truck? These are just a few questions that come to mind when looking for a garbage truck. What is the best garbage truck for you? Well it all depends on what portion of the trash market you want to target. Heavy cans, say at Walmart, will require a garbage truck that is called a front loader, these are equipped with strong arms that can be lowered and raised to pick up large amounts of trash in one pick up. For stop and go pickups, say in a neighborhood, you will either want a rear loader or a side-loader! The rear loader is simple yet proficient; you pick up each can and place the trash in the back of the garbage truck. The side loader is equipped with an extension arm that the driver can use to pick up each can from the comfort of his seat. Say a new client has come by and wants to haul construction trash away, well for that you will want a roll off truck, this type of garbage truck is equipped with cans that you can drop off and the customer can pile trash, concrete, debris, and anything else heavy that they need picked up and hauled away.

Garbage Truck Manufacturers

Once you know what kind of garbage truck you need you will want to find out who makes the best quality for the right price. Just like any industry, multiple companies build garbage trucks. First, you will need to choose your chassis. Chassis manufacturers include Mack, Peterbilt, Ford, Autocar, Freightliner, Sterling, Kenworth, IHC (International Harvester) and several others in which you can mount a garbage truck body. Once you have picked out your chassis you will need to choose a garbage truck body. There are many Garbage truck body manufacturers as well, some of the more popular being McNeilus, E-Z Pack, Heil, McClain, Galbreath, and Leach to name a few. Which one is better for you is different for each person and will vary depending on the job at hand. Each person also has their individual preferences for what type of garbage truck they like. If you have questions regarding buying the best garbage truck for you and your business be advised to call a professional that has your interests in mind.

Learn More From Experts

The best thing to do is to pick up the phone and call someone in the industry. We here at RDK have over 80 years of combined knowledge about the garbage truck industry. If you are looking for the best garbage truck for your wants and needs, call us today or comment below! We will gladly assist you with anything garbage truck-related! The RDK family loves to talk trash!