Side loader truck maintenance may appear to be costly, but it is far less expensive than the cost of a vehicle that is out of commission.
An essential component of your operation as a fleet owner is having garbage trucks that are in top condition. To avoid having to worry about your vehicles breaking down when you need them most, you need to ensure that your vehicles are in good working order.
Maintenance of Used Side Loader Trucks
When buying a used side loader truck, fleet owners should be sure of the truck’s quality and maintenance history. After all, you don’t want to be stuck with a vehicle that isn’t reliable.
Garbage trucks must withstand a high level of demand. With proper maintenance, a garbage truck can last 10 to 15 years. While they are made to withstand the demands of the job, they must also be able to withstand the strain of continuous use for extended periods of time.
For used side loader trucks for sale, Route Ready Trucks provides industry-exclusive garbage truck warranties (in addition to the OEM extended warranty) to ensure that performance and durability come standard on every vehicle.
Parts of a Side Loader That Should Be Inspected Daily
There are specific components of trucks that should be inspected daily. These daily checklists could be made part of the driver’s normal job duties.
Lift Arms
A side loader garbage truck, as the name implies, has a hydraulic arm that carries the container on the side. Lift arms are one of the most important areas to inspect when working with side loader trucks.
Brakes
Frequent stopping means more maintenance for a garbage truck’s brakes. They need to be serviced more frequently because of the excessive demand that regular wear and tear causes.
Side Loader Garbage Truck Maintenance Checklist
To avoid unplanned downtime, it is crucial to keep up with regular maintenance on your garbage trucks. Here are four tips for how to keep your waste collection truck in top condition so that it keeps running smoothly for the duration of its life span.
- Regular oil changes – It is recommended that fleet managers schedule oil changes for garbage trucks twice a year or after 1,250 total work hours, whichever comes first.
- Tune-ups – A maintenance operation, known as a tune-up, is a process in which your mechanic will inspect and modify all the components of your truck that are related to the combustion process.
- Lube check-ups – A lube check-up entails inspecting your truck to ensure that all moving parts are properly lubricated.
- Tire pressure checks – The truck tires should be inspected each day before heading out to make sure the tire pressure is good. Have the driver do a walk around the truck each day before starting his route and again at the end of his shift.
The Final Word on Side Loader Truck Maintenance
Truck maintenance is one of the top priorities of waste hauling companies. As we’ve discussed, garbage trucks must be able to withstand continuous wear and tear over long periods of time.
Regularly maintaining and inspecting your trucks can help you identify problems earlier and resolve them quickly, safeguarding the truck against breakdowns that will eat into your company’s profits. Creating a disciplined maintenance program is a low-cost and effective way of ensuring that your business remains on schedule.
Route Ready has used waste trucks for sale in a variety of makes and models, so you can find exactly what you need. Contact us today for a side loader garbage truck quote that will meet all your needs.