Not even a hurricane could stop WasteExpo, the largest gathering of solid waste and recycling professionals in North America, from being a success. WasteExpo 2006 relocated from New Orleans to Las Vegas because of the destructive force of Hurricane Katrina. This did not keep 11,000 participants from seeing the latest equipment, learning what is new in the industry, and enjoying the many networking opportunities available at the exhibition April 5-7.
About 7,400 industry buyers from 50 states attended WasteExpo 2006. As part of the US Department of Commerce's International Buyer Program, the show hosted more than 920 non-US attendees from 66 countries.
The 2006 exhibit hall featured 454 exhibitors (up from 445 in 2005) showcasing the latest in solid waste and recycling equipment. More than 115 exhibitors were new to WasteExpo this year. The Technology Pavilion remains a growing segment on the show floor expanding by approximately 25% in 2006. These factors contributed to a 5.5% increase in overall square footage of the show floor from last year.
This year's conference program consisted of 40-plus informative sessions. Topics included business operations, technical information, landfill operations, safety, and a new municipal track for the public sector attendee. In reference to the Flow Control Update session, one attendee proclaimed it was the “Best presentation I've been to in three years at WasteExpo.” Transfer Stations 101, Recycling Contracts, E-Waste Recycling & Collection, Single Stream Recycling, and 10 Secrets to Increase Your Profitability were some of the sessions that drew the largest attendance.
The theme of this year's Welcome Reception was a Tribute to New Orleans. A champagne toast was given in honor of the people of New Orleans and the reconstructive efforts taking place in the city. Carl Lauto of the New Orleans Visitors Bureau and Jill Alexander from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans attended as guests of honor.
Some new events to WasteExpo this year were the Mack Driving Skills Safety Challenge, the Mack Barking Bulldog Challenge, and the Safety Fashion Show. In the Driving Skills Safety Challenge, commercial driver license holders were put through a series of 10 events including pre-trip inspection, turning radius, and reversing accuracy. Attendees competed for industry bragging rights as well as some great prizes courtesy of Mack. The Tribute to New Orleans theme continued beyond the Welcome Reception. At the Barking Bulldog Challenge, competitors raced to find the barking bulldogs in large recycle bins. All proceeds from the Barking Bulldog Event were distributed to the following New Orleans charities: Louisiana SPCA and New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity and the toy Bulldogs were donated to the Children's Hospital of New Orleans.
WasteExpo 2007 will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta May 8-10. Conference sessions are scheduled to begin May 7.
Autocar Trucks, Hagerstown IN, introduced its new E| hybrid-drive Class 8 refuse truck, which is designed to reduce significantly fuel consumption in high start-and-stop applications. The E3's Parker Hannifin RunWise drive system is designed to recover brake energy and store it for later use. Energy is recovered when the unit is in hydrostatic mode and the brakes are applied. Upon braking, the RunWise controller commands the hydrostatic motors to become pumps and brakes the vehicle by converting vehicle inertia into stored, high-pressure energy in the accumulators. Accumulated energy is stored until the next time the vehicle launches, when it is discharged to accelerate the vehicle instead of using power from the diesel engine.
The DynaHauler/ LF EVO Series smooth side live floor trailer is the fuel efficient solution for hauling trash with a higher cubic yard capacity than the classic sheet and post trailer, according to J&J Truck Bodies & Trailers, Somerset PA, a division of Somerset Welding & Steel. Standard features include a high strength Hardox upper coupler, air operated and stainless steel adjustable tailgate latches, full length continuous greasable hinge, and a superior Hardox dock bumper with a center pull pin. Michael Riggs demonstrates the additional air flow with a dutch style door-on-door gate on this 48-ft show trailer.
Caterpillar displayed its CX31 transmission with the Chelsea Powershift Direct Drive PTO and Muncie CS20 PTO. The CX31 matches up with C9, C13, and C15 diesel engines and has six forward speeds with power and torque capabilities up to 500 hp and 1,550 lb-ft respectively. The transmission's PTO drive gear is connected directly to the engine, so a clutch-type PTO is required to engage and disengage the auxiliary power equipment. The Muncie CS20 is the smallest of three models of clutch shift PTOs offered for the Cat transmission, but is capable of powering PL series pumps typically used for rear loader and roll-off bodies. Drivers engage the PTO/pump with a rocker switch. The system also can incorporate the Muncie electronic overspeed control to prevent damage to the hydraulic system.
ArvinMeritor provided information on its RWA vocational rear tandem suspension that combines air-ride and walking-beam technology. It is designed for applications with tandem axle weight ratings from 34,000 through 52,000 pounds and can be used in heavy-duty, on/off-highway, severe vocational applications, and refueler vehicles in the military. Walking beam configuration allows for equal weight distribution between axles (50% per axle load distribution) with high wheel articulation for maximum traction. The combination of air and walking beams provides constant ride height while maintaining continuous traction.
Donovan Enterprises, Stuart FL, displayed its Quick Flip automatic roll-off tarp system with a hydraulic direct-drive motor that deploys and retracts the tarp. The 6364 extruded aluminum arms are virtually unbreakable, says Brian Scott, product manager, and come with a lifetime warranty from Donovan. The arms are offered in an anodized finish and are available up to a 40-ft length. The gantry raises eight feet to cover 15- to 40-ft-cu-yd containers. The company says its Mighty Mesh tarp is the most durable tarp fabric available anywhere and is fabricated with a minimum of twenty 1,000 denier threads per inch.
Dragon Products, Lathrop CA, manufactures 24-ft and 25-ft tilt frame roll-off hoists that can handle 16-ft to 24-ft containers with a maximum capacity of 60,000 or 75,000 lb. Tilt frame is 8" × 4" × 1/2" structural tubing. Lift and reeving cylinders have interchangeable design: 6" bore × 3" rod × 84" stroke (60,000 lb) and 7" bore × 3" rod × 84" stroke (75,000 lb). Minimum recommended truck specifications are 16,000-lb front axle with power steering and 44,000-lb rear axles. In addition to the California plant, the Akron IN and LaPorte TX facilities offer full installation. Dragon Products is a code shop with U and R stamps and builds to DNV, ABS, STI, and NTEA specifications.
Hallco Manufacturing Company, Tillamook OR, produces live floor decking that can handle extreme punishment from waste and recycle hauls, says Barbara Hurliman, marketing manager. Widely used for refuse hauling and stationary bins, the 4000 Series Drive is rated at 60,000 lb. A two-way, variable speed unit is powered by six hydraulic cylinders with a three-inch bore and 10-inch stroke. Stationary cylinders are arranged in tandem aluminum manifolded sets, mounted horizontally to deck slats using a cross drive system. Solid shaft, chrome plated rods measure 1½-inches. Cylinders are anchored to the center frame assembly by eight 5/8-inch grade 8 bolts. Minimal external plumbing consists of flexible, high pressure 3/4-inch hydraulic hoses, held in place with tie-straps.
Kann Manufacturing Corporation, Guttenberg IA, which is celebrating its 60th year of business in 2006, manufactures an average of 135 to 150 refuse bodies each year. Its residential front loader on display at Waste Expo features a contoured blade that follows the continuous uniform side walls from compactor to body to prevent commodity falling behind the blade. Floor wear is reduced as the blade travels just above the body floor on cam followers. T1 strips hold commodity up, which prevents it from going under the blade and also reduces floor wear.
Leach, Oshkosh WI, displayed its 2R-III rearloader with a rounded body, increased ejection force, and standard FastPak hydraulics with a 23-second cycle time and a 5-second reload time. The 2R-III has a 1,000-lb/cubic yard compaction rating. It also has a 3.5-cubic-yard hopper and is available with 20, 25, 29, and 32 cubic yard bodies. For added durability, the 2R-III uses zinc chrome plated hydraulic tubing with SAE O-ring seal fittings and is manufactured with 1/4-inch 50,000 psi steel flooring.
American Roll-Off, Trenton NJ, manufactures the XS series that is available in a 60,000-lb and 75,000-lb capacity, says Ed Quinlan, regional sales manager. The standard XS has four fully interchangeable lift and reeve cylinders. The lift cylinders can be configured to accept a single tire triaxle. Optional three-stage cylinders are available for dual tire triaxle or steerable axle. The outside rail hoist features a 10" × 4" × 1/2" main frame. Poly fenders resist corrosion and denting. LED-stop, turn, and marker lights have plug-in wire harness. Controlled folding bumper requires no linkage.
John Stevenson, president & CEO, [right] and Jim Rogers, vice-president sales & marketing, say that American LaFrance will continue manufacturing Condor cabs and chassis under the American LaFrance name. The Condor vehicle line was part of Freightliner's recent sale of American LaFrance to Patriarch Partners, an investment firm. As part of the acquisition, American LaFrance plans to expand the Condor dealer network. The Condor line had been developed by American LaFrance in 1999. The company recently announced that it selected North Charleston SC for its new corporate headquarters and state-of-the-art emergency and vocational vehicle assembly plant. The new $35-million complex will include a 57,500-sq-ft headquarters and 420,000-square-foot assembly plant.
Par-Kan Company, Silver Lake IN, displayed a refuse dumper that is available in three- and six-cubic-yard capacity. Both units operate up and down with a toggle switch control for easy dumping. When accompanied with the optional Bayne Lift system, the unit can be used as a satellite truck for residential cart pick-ups.
The Hendrickson Composilite FBC suspension weighs only 689 lb and is available in capacity ratings up to 10,000 lb to help meet Federal Bridge Formula requirements and state regulations, says Brian Strach, regional service manager. Rim/tire sizes range from 17.5 inch, 6-hole to 19.5 inch, 8-hole. A 23.5-inch packaging space allows for easier installation of mult-axle configurations.