Large volume waste generators can reap all the benefits of a compactor by choosing the correct model, meeting all installation requirements, and scheduling regular maintenance.
Kirk Warren
When purchased and used correctly, compactors can be a big money saver for generators of large volumes of waste and recycling materials. Compactors compress and crush materials, resulting in fewer hauls and lower collection costs. By containing waste and recyclables, they also prevent unauthorized access or disposal of materials and improve a facility’s safety and appearance.
Best practices and considerations for compactors include which type to purchase, how to prepare your facility for installation, how to make your compactor last and how to prevent one of the most commonly overlooked compactor problems.
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Picking the Perfect Compactor
Before you run out with a measuring tape to see what size compactor can fit in your space, remember that not all generators of solid waste and recyclables can justify using compaction equipment. A business with one 6-cubic-yard container emptied once a week may not need a compactor. Larger volume waste and recycling generators are more likely prospects. As a reference point, 1 cubic yard is equal to approximately 200 gallons of waste.
Compactor styles differ in the types of waste they best contain and compact, amounts of waste they hold, locations where their applications are most successful, and container sizes. Here’s a simple breakdown of compactor types to help you find your perfect match:
- Stationary Compactors—Best at handling dry waste including corrugated boxes, paper, plastic, industrial material, aluminum, and more in commercial and industrial settings. Stationary compactors are designed for department stores, offices and warehouses that generate at least 100 cubic yards of waste per week. They compact refuse into a detachable container that breaks away and is taken to disposal sites.
- Self-Contained Compactors—Known for handling wet waste, but also used for dry waste by those trying to avoid the mess associated with breaking away a stationary compactor’s container. Self-contained compactors are designed for hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and other sites that generate at least 100 cubic yards of waste per week. These compactors are structurally integrated into their container and entire machine is taken to disposal site.
- Vertical Compactor—Ideal for restaurants, motels, grocery stores, apartment complexes or any other places where installation space is limited. A generator of 30 to 40 cubic yards of waste per week might justify a vertical compactor.
- Apartment-Style Compactors—Provide big compaction performance for small spaces like trash rooms of high-rise apartments, condominiums or other locations where space is tight.
- Pre-Crusher Compactors—Pre-crush bulky dry waste items like barrels, pallets, crates, electronics and furniture prior to the items being compacted into a container. These compactors work much like typical stationary compactors, but achieve greater compaction by compressing the material into a steel guillotine blade before compacting into a detachable receiver container or box.
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Questions to Ask Before Buying Your Compactor
Once you’ve found the compactor that works best for you, it’s time to ask the bigger questions. Based on the highlights of each type listed above, you’ve determined that a certain type can handle your waste volume, waste type and location. But have you considered whether your facility is equipped to handle the compactor?
To make sure you’re ready for a compactor, find the answer to every single question below before purchasing your compactor:
- Volume of waste generated—Am I sure the compactor will be adequate to handle the waste volume generated, even at peak loading times?
- Size of waste—What are the dimensions of the largest box, bag, etc. I’ll throw away? Will that fit in the size compactor I’m getting, or do I need to consider a pre-crusher?
- Type of waste—What type of materials need to be compacted?
- Available space—Is there enough space for both the compactor and my collection truck to service the compactor? Are overhead clearances adequate?
- Suitable voltage—Do I have adequate power available? How am I going to run this compactor?
- Collection equipment compatibility—Is the compactor compatible with my local waste collection equipment?
- Installation—Will the installation require a through-the-wall chute, a doghouse, or a dock-fed hopper? Is the compactor I want adaptable to these types of installations?
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Compactor Installation
Once your compactor order has been signed, sealed and delivered, it’s time to get your space ready. If you have questions about your location’s required safety standards, electrical needs, emergency controls, etc. be sure to go over them with your compactor provider. The manufacturer may have online directions or printed manuals to help you better understand the installation process. In order to make the installation go as easily as possible, try to have everything listed below in place before your compactor arrives:
- Concrete pad—To keep your facility structurally sound, you should always have a concrete pad underneath your compactor. The preferred dimensions for a concrete pad are 10’ wide with a length that’s 5’ larger than the combined length of the compactor and container. The pad should be a minimum of 3,000 psi concrete, wire mesh reinforced and 6” thick.
- Electrical—A lockable fused disconnect box must be within sight and no more than 50’ (15m) away from the main control panel.
- Safety standards—Make sure your compactor manufacturer complies with all ANSI and OSHA standards. It’s a great idea to post safety signs so all employees know proper safety procedures around your machinery.
- Emergency controls—Emergency E-stop controls should be readily accessible to the operator or located within 3’ of the point of operation or material feed, or, if chute fed, within 3’ of access door.
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Preventative Maintenance
Once you’ve purchased and installed your compactor, your goal should be to keep your equipment running as long as possible. The best way to do that is with regularly scheduled maintenance. Each time you get basic preventative maintenance your service professional should follow the recommended maintenance schedule in the compactor owner’s manual. This schedule outlines weekly, monthly and yearly maintenance to be performed, such as checking pressure settings and relief valve settings, checking hydraulic fluid level, changing oil and filter (if required), inspecting hoses and fittings for leaks, applying grease to grease fittings, and inspecting the cylinder(s) and structure. Following the recommended maintenance schedule will protect against premature failure and/or wear of hydraulic and mechanical components, extending the compactor’s lifecycle. If you’re not sure how often to schedule maintenance, select a compactor with an automatic maintenance scheduler to alert you when preventative maintenance is due.
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Preventing A Commonly Overlooked Problem
91˛Öżâ generators should schedule trash hauls when their compactor is full, and for closed-lid compactors, the best way to determine this is by reading the hydraulic operating pressure. Big problems can occur if a hydraulic pressure gauge is damaged or incorrect, because you will have no idea you’re constantly getting false readings. When a gauge reads a false high pressure, you’ll be pulling a less-than-full container each time, causing additional hauling charges. If the gauge reads a false low pressure, your compactor could over-compact the trash and potentially damage the container.
To prevent a false pressure gauge reading, your service professional should measure the compactor’s hydraulic operating pressure with an independently calibrated gauge each time you get basic preventative maintenance. He/she should measure the reading against your hydraulic pressure gauge both before and after maintenance.Ěý Recording the two gauge’s differences every time you have maintenance will provide great trend data and let you know whether your gauge is reading at higher or lower operating pressures.
Reaping the Benefits
Large volume waste generators can reap all the benefits of a compactor by choosing the correct model, meeting all installation requirements, and scheduling regular maintenance. With proper use and maintenance, the correct model should last for many years, reducing collection costs while safely storing waste and recycling materials.
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Kirk Warren is the Director of Product Management for 91˛Öżâquip’s Technical Division.Ěý 91˛Öżâquip (Charlotte, NC) is a leading North American manufacturer of waste and recycling equipment. 91˛Öżâquip’s broad range of waste and recycling equipment and systems is used to collect, process, and transport recyclables, solid waste, liquid waste and organics. The company’s brands include 91˛Öżâquip, Toter, Galbreath, Pioneer, Accurate, Cusco, Mountain Tarp, and Go To Parts. For more information, call (877) 468-9278 or e-mail [email protected].