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See Why Your Garbage Trucks Matter So Much
Do you ever wonder what would happen if your garbage trucks stopped? The trash would pile up, the city would smell, and people would get upset. Garbage trucks need to work every day. If a truck breaks down, it costs lots of money. You want each residential waste collection truck to last for years and years.
At CLW GROUP, we make strong, smart trucks. We also help you keep your trucks safe and working. I will show you easy steps for fleet maintenance best practices. These steps will help you save money and keep your customers happy.
What Makes Garbage Trucks Work So Hard?
Garbage trucks do much more than drive straight lines. They stop and go, pick up heavy bins, and run in dirt or rain. Their hydraulic systems, compactors, and brake system work very hard. Short trips, harsh roads, and big loads make these refuse vehicles get tired fast. If you want to keep them working longer, you must help them.
Use These Steps to Maintain Your Trucks
Here is what you need to do:
- Always Check Your Trucks
- Look at the oil, engine, transmission, and coolant.
- Listen for strange sounds in the hydraulic system.
- Make sure the breaks, tires, and lights work.
- Make a Plan: Preventative maintenance schedule for garbage trucks
- Make a plan to check and fix trucks before something breaks.
- Follow your manufacturer service manual and look at your telematics data.
- Use a calendar so you do not forget important jobs.
- Teach Your Team: Technician training for garbage trucks
- Train your drivers to spot small problems.
- Use a daily vehicle inspection report (DVIR) before and after every route.
- Hold classes for mechanics to learn about new trucks and parts.
What Is A Good Maintenance List?
Here are things you must do for every truck:
| Job | How Often |
|---|---|
| Check oil and fluids | Every day |
| Change air and oil filters | At the right time |
| Grease moving parts | Every week |
| Inspect breaks and lights | Every trip |
| Check tires and TPMS | Every trip |
| Look over hydraulic hoses | Every week |
| Clean the body and compactor | Every week |
| Inspect suspension and chassis | Every month |
Tip: If you see leaks or hear odd noises, fix them fast.
Here Is Why Checking Matters: Fast Facts
- Preventative Maintenance (PM) ROI: For every $1 spent, you may save $3 to $5 on repairs.
- Downtime Cost: If a truck cannot run, you lose $500–$1500 every single day.
- Garbage Truck Lifespan: If you do all the right checks, your truck may last 12-15 years.
- Trouble Areas: Hydraulics, compactor body, brakes, and electrical systems break down fastest.
| Metric | Value/Fact | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| PM Return on Investment | $1 saves $3–$5 | Saves money |
| Cost per Day of Downtime | $500–$1500 | Lost work and unhappy customers |
| Truck Service Life | 12–15 years (with PM) | Wait longer before buying a new truck |
| Failure Points | Hydraulics, Compactor, Brakes, Electric | Spend more time fixing these parts |
| PM vs. Reactive Repair | Reactive costs 2–3x more | Planned checks are always cheaper |
Find What Fits Best For Your Company
Every fleet and city is a little different. The best plans use fleet maintenance software (CMMS). At CLW GROUP, we help you set up programs and show you the right parts inventory management fleet tools. We supply OEM parts, easy after-sales support, and always help your staff learn new skills.
Key Tips to Keep Your Truck Running Longer
- Use fleet managers to look at data analytics.
- Watch your mean time between failures (MTBF).
- Change PM schedules if you see the same part breaking more than once.
- Check for rust, damaged decals, and leaking fluids.
- Use quality parts for every repair.
Seasonal maintenance tips: Cold, heat, and salt can hurt your trucks. Always wash trucks and check for corrosion after snow.
See How Technology Makes You Win
Fleet maintenance software (CMMS) and telematics make it easy to track every truck.
- Get alerts when something is wrong.
- Keep records for each work order and repair.
- Use GPS tracking to plan better routes and save fuel.
If you want to see these tools in action, come to see our special trucks factory or read about our rear loader garbage truck here!
Planning Ahead Means Happier Drivers and Lower Costs
Operators who do good DVIRs and get proper technician training will spot problems before they turn big. When all drivers and mechanics work as a team, fleet operational efficiency goes up. If you do it right, your trucks never miss a pick-up.
What Makes CLW GROUP a Great Choice?
I know you want trucks that last. At CLW GROUP:
- We make customized production for any garbage or refuse vehicle need.
- We offer vehicle delivery and full after-sales and technical consulting services.
- Our trucks are made to handle harsh operating conditions and keep downtime low.
- We use strong chassis, best hydraulic systems, and great body and paint for long life.
- If you need a side loader, front loader, or split body, we build it for you.
- Get fast help with warranty management and parts.
See all our tough trucks and quality service on our tipper truck page, or learn about our material handling cranes for more options.
Simple Steps for a Cleaner and Safer City
You want a city without trash piles. You want trucks that do not break down. Use this easy plan:
- Make a preventative maintenance program.
- Train drivers and mechanics.
- Use the best tools and systems.
- Keep checking, keep fixing.
- Trust a great company to help when you need it.
Let CLW GROUP Help You Today
Call us to learn about our waste collection truck service or read about our food truck waste disposal truck here. We make your job easy. Our trucks work hard so you do not have to worry.
References:
- Fleet maintenance reports and operator manuals
- Garbage truck manufacturer data (CLW GROUP)
- Industry articles on refuse vehicle longevity and cost savings
Use these tips and keep your fleet working longer. With CLW GROUP, you get more than a truck. You get a partner who cares.
