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From the small details to the big picture, the right material handler will keep your waste or recycling operation running smoothly and productively.
By Martin Mattsson

Waste and recycling operations rely on many different machines to keep materials moving. One of the most important machines you can invest in for this work is a purpose-built material handler.

Material handlers can tackle a variety of tasks, including collection, sorting, processing, recycling, and disposal. But how do you know which model is best for your specific operation? Here are seven key factors to keep in mind as you look for a machine that will meet your needs.

#1: Working Conditions
I suggest starting from the ground up鈥攍iterally. If your material handler will be working on finished surfaces like asphalt or concrete, wheeled models can provide better speed and maneuverability. They will typically come with outriggers for added stability, too.On the other hand, if your ground conditions are soft or rough, a tracked model might be smarter so the machine does not get stuck.

Consider the layout of your site as well. Do you have ceiling heights or corridor widths to contend with? This will help dial in the size of machine you should get.

#2: Material Type
Next, consider your material鈥檚 size, shape, and weight, as well as what it is made of. Handling liquids, gases, or powders may require different features or attachments than handling solid items. There is a big difference between working with loose materials versus bulky items too.

You should look for a finely tuned hydraulic system that will help your operator place materials carefully but efficiently. If the hydraulics are jerky or weak, it will add time to a work cycle and create fatigue or frustration for the operator.

#3: Cab and Safety Features
A cab that can be hydraulically raised is one of the biggest advantages of a dedicated material handling machine. It allows operators to enter at ground level and then elevate themselves for better visibility. When piles of material surround your operator, this extra boost will give them a better view of their work zone for ultimate safety and efficiency.
However, heavy vibrations are quite noticeable when you are sitting higher above the ground, so aim for a model with double-damped cab mounts that can withstand shock and absorb vibrations to minimize the impact on your operator.

Alternatively, an air-ride seat or seat with isolators can also help. An air-ride seat uses pressurized air to compensate for shock and vibration, while isolators are mounted on the seat base to minimize rocking.

Because safety is always the top priority, many models now include rearview cameras as standard with additional cameras as optional add-ons. One of the best advancements in this arena is an object detection system that alerts the operator if an object or person is too close.

Regardless of the model you choose, make sure your operators are properly trained on it and have the appropriate PPE.

#4: Attachment Needs
Based on the material being handled, make sure your attachments have an appropriate steel thickness and yield strength. The most common attachment used in material handling is a grapple, of which there are several kinds. An orange peel grapple is a popular choice and typically has four tines that come to a point (like a claw machine at the arcade). This is good for carrying a load where pressure from all sides is needed to keep the material or item in place, knowing that smaller bits will likely fall away. A clamshell grapple is similar, but works better for finer materials because it will hold on to those smaller pieces.

If you work with ferrous metals like iron and steel, a magnet attachment is ideal, whereas a clamshell bucket makes more sense for non-ferrous metals (e.g., aluminum, copper, brass). Magnetic attachments include large, flat discs and grapples. There are also several kinds of buckets that might be useful, as well as shears for cutting larger items into more manageable pieces.

Regardless of your chosen attachment, it is possible for materials to stick out several feet, so get a machine with an arm-in limitation that will prevent a load from getting too close to the cab. In general, the operator will be manipulating an attachment from the joystick, so look for a model with attachment-related functions that are logically and ergonomically laid out.

It is also ideal if your material handler has the ability to save multiple attachment settings. For example, our material handlers can save settings for up to 32 attachments. In addition to flows and pressures, those settings include how you want the function to be controlled: momentary, toggled-on, or proportionally.

#5: Owning and Operating Costs
Always consider the total cost of ownership (TCO) when buying heavy equipment. While the initial investment certainly matters, you cannot forget about operating and maintenance costs. In its simplest terms, TCO is calculated as the cost of owning and operating a machine in dollars per hour, divided by what it produces in tons per hour.

Ownership costs include the purchase price, interest, insurance, tax, residual value, and depreciation. Operating costs include fuel consumption, wear parts, preventive maintenance, and repairs. Your definition of production will depend on the task.

If you can get the same work done with less fuel, it is a big deal for your bottom line. Features like work modes and auto idle can adjust power to the most appropriate level for maximum productivity with minimum fuel burn.

It is important to keep the future in mind as well. If you plan to expand your operation at some point, invest in equipment that can upscale accordingly. Or, if you think you will eventually sell your machine, maintain it well to preserve its value.

#6: Technological Advantages
It never hurts to keep a close eye on your machine鈥檚 health and your operator鈥檚 habits. Remote monitoring, diagnostics, and coaching programs are great ways to stay ahead of maintenance needs and help operators dial in their performance for max productivity and fuel efficiency.

I recommend looking for an advanced telematics program that can reduce unplanned maintenance and repair costs by catching potential problems before they occur and more quickly diagnosing and solving bigger issues. The best ones also help you stay on top of scheduled maintenance with simplified reminders and alerts.

Telematics reports can help reduce machine misuse by identifying trends in operator behavior like misuse of work modes and excessive idling. Identifying these and other errors, then training operators to avoid them, can save money on operating costs, thereby reducing a machine鈥檚 TCO.

#7: Trustworthy Partners
Choose dealers and manufacturers who can demonstrate that they understand the work you do and can provide equipment specifically tailored for that work. A good warranty is one of the easiest ways to see how strongly an OEM backs their product, and a solid network of dealers and/or parts distributors signifies that you will be well taken care of.

The best dealers will work hard to help you find the model and attachments that will best meet your needs, so be sure to give them as much information and ask as many relevant questions as you can.

Making the Best Decision
From the small details to the big picture, the right material handler will keep your waste or recycling operation running smoothly and productively. Take these key factors into account and give yourself plenty of time to make the best decision鈥攊t is well worth it. | WA

Martin Mattsson is Key Accounts Director, Waste and Recycling for Volvo Construction Equipment in North America. He has been with Volvo since 2005 in various product, application, and commercial roles. He has been in his current position since 2014 and is responsible for key accounts in the waste and recycling industry as well as Volvo CE鈥檚 product portfolio in the industry. Martin was a recipient of the Waste Industry鈥檚 40 under 40 award in 2017. He is engaged in the industry supporting both NWRA and EREF. He can be reached at [email protected].