All posts by truckmaxfl

The refuse truck: Getting a new fuel source?!

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Posted in Garbage Trucks

CNG

CNG has been all the craze in the last decade! With many manufacturers building more complex refuse trucks to incorporate CNG gas, why would one of the biggest truck manufacturers be switching to something else completely?! If CNG is working so well…

WHATS NEXT?

At the turn of the 21st century, the Refuse truck has seen a substantial amount of change. The emission standards are on the rise and prices are increasing for businesses to go Green! Now why is the refuse truck being converted into new energy sources? To put it simply, the refuse truck has higher emission standards now and is not performing as well as it should be! It is as if the added technology that was built to make it better has actually made the refuse truck more complicated and in turn, has more issues.

Now there are even more problems that can occur because the refuse truck has more parts. What do we do? We find a better, more efficient fuel source!

With the introduction of this new energy source, we are seeing a new and improved garbage truck that can work harder and longer with fewer problems. They are forecasting that the new and improved refuse truck reach our borders within the next few years. That means you will now have another option to choose from for your fleet! And this option has be tested and proven to take your company to higher profit margins with less downtime!

JOIN THE FAMILY

We at RDK are researching diligently to bring updated news to our customers about the WASTE INDUSTRY. Subscribe to our newsletter and join the RDK Family for all the industry knowledge that will keep YOU ahead of the curve!

Where do you find premium rolloff trucks??

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Posted in Garbage Trucks

Looking for some rolloff trucks?! You have come to the right place!

PRICE/DEMAND

With the growing economy and oil prices down this year, we are seeing in increase in the demand for rolloff trucks! If you are a small business looking for to startup or expand or even a major coporation looking for a reliable hardworking rolloff truck you have come to the right place. There are a few places to start looking today!

WHATS IN IT FOR YOU

First ask yourself, what kind of rolloff trucks are you looking for? Different companies build rolloff trucks so how do you know which one is the best? The longevity of an engine and the overall condition of rolloff trucks are the main differences. Comparing an international versus a Mack is almost a 1 to 3 ratio. Meaning that the Mack will almost always last three times as long. This is why we recommend buying Mack. They simply are built stronger and last longer. For a good price, you get what you pay for. Second, ask yourself where’s the closest dealer for parts? Your rolloff trucks are going to go through some wear and tear and eventually, you are going to need more parts. Knowing where the nearest dealer is with parts or a good place to find them is essential to keeping your babies running smoothly. Next, what are your mechanics used to working on? Most mechanics know a certain truck better than others and would prefer to work on them. Staying with what they know will save you downtime! Which means more money in your pocket! Lastly, SIZE MATTERS! Your roll trucks are going to need more horsepower if you are in mountainous ranges or in higher altitudes.

TALK TO A PROFESSIONAL

Make sure any rolloff trucks you are interested in have had maintenance and checkups consistently. The best thing to do is speak to a professional in the rolloff trucks business first! The RDK family has over 80+ years of experience and is here to answer any questions you may have regarding rolloff trucks! Call today!

When your rolloff truck is ready to retire

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Posted in Garbage Trucks

Have you been wondering how many miles is too many miles? Is your rolloff truck not performing like she used to? Then you may want to think about retiring her!

WEAR AND TEAR

A Rolloff truck is tough and for good reason. They go through more heavy loading and unloading than most garbage trucks. They help take away debris from construction sites and even zones that have been devastated by hurricanes or tornadoes. This amount of wear and tear can add up over time. When is she ready to be let go? Not Old Faithful? Well the average rolloff truck will last a few years, if she is maintained right. You keep her oiled up, checked out consistently, and she can give you anywhere from four hundred to six hundred thousand miles of hard work!

WHERE ARE YOU

The environment she works in plays a large role in how long she will last. Up north for instance, the snow and salt on the roads usually eats up a rolloff truck quicker. While down south the rolloff truck does not see many problems from the weather conditions. If you keep your rolloff truck in the right conditions she will last longer. If she is open to sleet and snow or severe cold, she will need more parts and service. A good basis for how long you should keep your truck goes as follows…

WHEN TO LET HER GO

Essentially if your repair costs exceed the payment on another newer rolloff truck… It is time to retire! How much is that downtime worth when repairs are being done?? We all know a lot! If you have any questions about how your rolloff truck is doing or if you would like to retire your rolloff and receive a quote from one of our professionals, please call the RDK family today! We will gladly assist you in all of your rolloff truck needs!

How to keep your Roll off truck working hard!

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Posted in Garbage Trucks

THE KEY

How do you keep your roll off truck running longer? Two words, Preventative Maintenance. Your Roll off truck is a well-oiled working machine and needs to be taken care of regularly! The Roll off truck is responsible for loading and unloading heavy amounts of debris from construction zones as well as many other jobs.

PROPER ACTIONS

These jobs take a heavy toll on the roll off truck. Especially if the one driving is “hot-loading.” This term refers of a way to load your cans quickly but not in the good nature of the truck. It wears her down and can also cause worse problems later on. The best thing to do is take all safety measures to keep her safe and working hard. If you run her hard and mean she will leave you before you know it. Preventative measures like inspecting her before and after work are key to the roll off truck staying on route longer. A few good tips are to keep her greased, check under the hood periodically, and make sure you do an inspection on brakes, tires, lights, hydraulic cylinders, cables, and tarp.

WHO KNOWS BEST

Our mechanics have been working with Roll-Off trucks for over 80+ years experience combined. They have several inspections they perform to make sure each roll off truck is ready to go out on route with pure confidence! Would you like to get your roll off truck checked out today? Please call the RDK family! We will be glad to assist you in keeping your roll off truck running and working hard!

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!