Roll off garbage trucks are true workhorses, capable of hauling up to 10 tons at a time away from commercial sites such as demolition and construction zones. Though their rugged and highly durable construction is primed to give you the long-term performance you need, routine maintenance is still necessary to make sure they’re running in peak condition and to prevent breakdowns or the need for repairs. Use the following guidelines to plan your roll off truck maintenance schedule.
Daily, weekly, and quarterly inspections
When you buy from Route Ready, you’ll receive your late model, used roll off truck in excellent condition. Conducting routine inspections will help keep the truck in good working order. To maximize its life and ensure safety, your fleet maintenance team should inspect the following components each day:
- Electrical wiring
- Nuts and bolts
- Front and rear stops
- Back-up and hoist-up warning systems
- Cable and cable ends
- Hydraulic and air leaks
- Hydraulic components
- Pivot points
- Rear hinge
- Reflectors
- Rollers
- Shafts and cotter keys
- Sheave blocks
- Structural components and welds
When inspecting the electrical wiring, ensure that all visible wiring is not frayed and that all connections are tight. Your technicians should also check the oil level daily and ensure the warning labels are legible. The tires require daily inspection as well, as worn tires jeopardize the control and stopping power of the vehicle.
In addition to performing daily inspections, your technicians should grease all of the grease fittings once per week.
Every three months, technicians should evaluate the hydraulic oil, ensuring that it has the normal color, odor, and feel.
Inspections at 6-month and 12-month intervals
Every six months, or every other time the technicians evaluate the hydraulic oil, they should replace both the hydraulic oil filter and the air breather.
Once per year, the hydraulic oil should be completely replaced, along with the air and hydraulic oil filters. The technicians should also clean the suction strainer annually.
General roll off truck maintenance tips
Proper recordkeeping is essential to ensure that each roll off truck receives its routine maintenance and servicing at the recommended intervals. Following these procedures will ensure that your fleet operates at peak efficiency, while reducing breakdowns and facilitating safe operation. Daily roll off truck maintenance is more important than many might think. When you inspect your fleet every day, you’ll be able to catch small issues before they turn into major problems—and those major problems can take a truck out of commission for a while, leaving your fleet short-handed.
In particular, be sure to keep moving parts properly lubricated. Without sufficient lubrication, those moving parts will experience friction, which causes wear and tear damage. Note that because these heavy trucks tend to stop and go frequently, the brakes will sustain a great deal of wear. Plan to check the brakes regularly and replace promptly when needed.
Need to expand your fleet? Route Ready offers plenty of choices!
Whether you’re starting a new garbage removal business or need to expand your fleet to keep up with customer demand, Route Ready Trucks has your back. Since opening for business in 2006, Route Ready has developed a reputation as being a dependable leader in late model used truck sales, with a focus on exceptional quality and an unmatched warranty. Contact us today to inquire about our current inventory of used roll off trucks for sale or to request a garbage truck quote. Our friendly team looks forward to helping your company flourish!