Buying the Garbage Truck That’s Right for Your Start-Up Waste Management Business

Garbage truck picking up carts

Getting your waste management business up and running is a big job. And, investing in the right equipment can make or break you—especially when deciding which type of garbage truck is right for you. 

There are a few different types of trucks on the market. Not quite sure where to start? Here’s what you need to know—and why a front load garbage truck might be a great fit for your business.  

Front Loader Garbage Trucks

As their name suggests, front loaders pick up containers from the front of the truck and swing them over the top of the cab, before dropping waste into the hopper. And, they offer some big benefits.

For starters, a front loader empowers you to drive right up to a container and let the hydraulic arms do the work for you. Meaning, you only exit the cab if the container’s lid is locked. That’s why front load trash trucks are celebrated for their efficiency—especially in cities—where tight spaces and narrow streets leave less room to maneuver a rig.

They also require less manpower. So, despite a bigger investment upfront, they can be operated by a single driver, which cuts down on your overhead costs and delivers greater ROI.

The drawbacks? As front loaders dump containers directly over the truck, loose debris can fall onto your cab. Most importantly, you’ll need to keep a close eye on your surrounding environment—watching for any low-hanging cables overhead.

Rear Loader Garbage Trucks

The big benefit of a rear loader is that the lifting mechanism doesn’t have to clear the cab. So, if you’re operating in an area with lots of overhead cables and wires, it’s a great option. 

Rear loaders are also known for being less expensive upfront. But—there’s a catch. 

While you’ll spend less purchasing the truck, you might spend more powering it. That’s because rear load trucks require two operators to be efficient: one person in the driver’s seat, and one person who can jump out to push containers up to the back of the truck. 

Most rear loader trucks do have built-in cameras to help drivers safely grab containers. But, if you’re dumping a wheeled container—especially a smaller, lighter one—the last thing you want is for the back frame of your rig to bump into it and send it flying down the street.

So, Here’s What We Recommend 

Whether you’re just starting a waste management business or you’re looking to switch up your existing equipment, many of our clients find front load trash trucks better suited to their business needs.

We trust front loaders to deliver the best ROI because they: 

  • require less manpower than rear loaders, 
  • are quick and efficient, 
  • are easy to operate in tight or narrow spaces, and
  • work well with both big and small containers, and heavy or light loads

Whatever type of truck you use, those of us in the industry know it can be hard to find CDL drivers. That’s why our clients often appreciate their front load trucks even more. Investing in a front loader means you have one less operator you need to hire. Rather than exhausting your resources searching for another CDL driver, you’ll spend more time earning back the money you invested purchasing the rig. 

It’s worth noting, too—if you purchase a front loader and then decide you actually need a rear load truck, there are some conversion options out there. Take this aftermarket attachment arm, for example. It’s designed to service both front and rear load containers, and engineered to be installed on most front load trucks. This way, you don’t have to sell all of your existing equipment and start from scratch.

Whichever type of truck you choose to invest in, keep in mind that garbage truck bodies are engineered to serve you. Choosing the right truck for your needs, your budget, and your service location will ensure that your waste management business flourishes—today, and in the years to come.

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