Refurbishment programs offer a quick and easy solution to an automated side loader that is no longer able to perform adequately in the field.
By Jeff Jewett
In the waste and recycling industry, Automated Side-Loader (ASL) arms on refuse vehicles can, over time, become unreliable and in need of regular repair. As the arm wears out, the cycle time can slow and make the truck less reliable in the field. This can often lead to downtime for a truck and costly repairs. The average cost per day of downtime for a residential side loader truck is $1,200. So, if your truck is down more than a week or two it would almost be the same amount as investing in a refurbished ASL arm.
When is the Right Time?
Any working ASL arm that is worn can be refurbished. An arm that is damaged is not a candidate for refurbishment. Look for arms that have seen many hours in the field and have become loose and might be damaging the truck鈥攖hese are great candidates for refurbishment. A damaged arm is one that has possibly hit a stationary object or was hit by something. These arms will have many bent or broken components and will not meet the criteria for a refurbishment program. Look for loose pins in all the moving joints. If you can grab the fingers of an ASL arm and give it what we call a 鈥淗andshake鈥� (Moving the gripper up and down), this is the time to consider refurbishment.
Images courtesy of Wastebuilt.
Refurbishment Programs
An Arm Refurbishment program is a way of taking an ASL arm that has been used to the end of its abilities and bringing it back to life. With this type of program, all pivot points that wear out are removed and replaced, making the arm tight and function smoothly again. All cylinders, pins, collars, races, bearings and rebuild valves are replaced on arms that require them. Once all of this is done, arms are given a fresh coat of paint and they are ready to be put back to work.
Look for programs that keep completed refurbished ASL arms in stock. From the time the arm is ordered and shipped to the customer site, arrival should only take a few days depending on location. Arms can also be installed at available service centers. If you install them yourself, the arm will come on a custom shipping cradle that can be used to return your old core to the refurbishing service center.
An Ideal Solution
Refurbishment programs offer a quick and easy solution to an ASL that is no longer able to perform adequately in the field. The goal is to help haulers minimize downtime, extend the life of repairable arms, reduce maintenance costs and keep reliable equipment on the job serving customers and generating revenue. | WA
Jeff Jewett is the ASL Arm Refurb Program Coordinator for Wastebuilt in Bolingbrook, IL. Jeff can be reached at (855) 767-8536 or e-mail at [email protected]. Wastebuilt is a leading parts provider to the refuse industry and operates at 12 locations across the U.S. For more information, visit wastebuilt.com.