Comprehensive Guide to the Importance of Preventive Maintenance for Refuse Trucks

Regular maintenance is the cornerstone of any effective vehicle management strategy, ensuring that waste management trucks such as multilift trucks, hooklift trucks, Galfab trucks, and roll-off trucks remain operational and safe. This guide delves into the essential components of a successful preventive maintenance (PM) program, providing a detailed overview of the scheduling, inspections, and attitude necessary to keep your fleet in top condition.

Adopting a Proactive Approach to Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance (PM) is not just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about anticipating and addressing potential issues before they become serious problems. By regularly inspecting, repairing, and maintaining hooklift trucks, roll-off trucks, and other waste refuse vehicles, defects can be identified and resolved early, preventing violations or accidents.

Comparing Scheduled Maintenance and Reactionary Maintenance

A reactive approach to maintenance, where dump trucks are only serviced when something breaks, leads to increased downtime and costs associated with idle equipment. In contrast, a preventive maintenance program schedules regular inspections and maintenance, allowing for repairs on your terms, preventing violations and accidents, and ensuring continuous operation of your hooklift trucks and roll-off trucks.

Tailoring PM Schedules to Your Needs

Preventive maintenance schedules for refuse trucks are designed to be systematic and comprehensive. They typically include several levels of service:

• PM A (Safety Inspection): Conducted every 5,000 to 10,000 miles for hooklift trucks and roll-off trucks. This includes a safety check, lubrication, and inspection of key components like brakes, lights, tires, and fluids.

• PM B (Oil and Filter Change): Includes all PM A tasks, plus an oil and filter change and more in-depth engine and driveline checks.

• PM C (Annual Inspection): Includes PM A and B tasks, as well as more extensive services like alignment, scheduled component replacement, and DOT annual inspection. Typically scheduled annually or every 11 months.

• PM D (Major Component Rebuild or Special Service): Scheduled based on specific company needs, this includes major rebuilds or seasonal services like winterization.

Refuse Truck Maintenance

A typical PM schedule for multilift trucks, hooklift trucks, Galfab trucks, and roll-off trucks includes:

• T1 or TA Services: Every three months, including inspections and lubrication of lights, tires, brakes, coupling devices, safety equipment, and other systems.

• T2 or TB Services: Every six months, encompassing all T1 tasks plus a more in-depth inspection and maintenance, such as checking grease condition and retorquing lugs.

• T3 or TC Services: Annually, combining T1 and T2 tasks with more extensive maintenance, including alignment or complete brake overhaul, and the periodic inspection required under §396.17.

Auxiliary Units and Inspection Lanes

Auxiliary power units (APUs) and other auxiliary equipment on refuse trucks need regular maintenance as well. Integrating these into your vehicle’s maintenance schedule ensures comprehensive care.

Inspection Lanes are dedicated spaces where vehicles are checked upon entering or exiting a facility, providing an opportunity for quick inspections and identifying issues before they become significant problems.

Yard Checks offer a less intensive but still effective alternative, where technicians periodically inspect refuse trucks in the yard, checking brakes, tires, lights, and other components.

Starting on the Right Foot with Pre-Service Inspections

Whether new or used, any hooklift truck or roll-off truck entering your fleet should undergo a thorough pre-service inspection. This involves a comprehensive check of all key components and adjustments, ensuring that everything is in proper working order before the vehicle is fully operational.

Conclusion

Preventive maintenance is essential for keeping your fleet of multilift trucks, hooklift trucks, Galfab trucks, and roll-off trucks running smoothly and safely. By adopting a proactive approach, scheduling regular inspections, and maintaining an attentive attitude towards vehicle care, you can prevent costly downtime, ensure compliance with regulations, and ultimately save money.