As professionals with experience in trash and/or recycling fleet management — or management of any vehicle fleet, for that matter — are well aware, regular maintenance of a collection fleet is essential. Not only is it critical to keep the vehicles up and running, but regular maintenance is important to get the job done successfully and in a timely manner.
And of course, the benefits of routine fleet maintenance extend well beyond successful and prompt job completion, too. Consider these added benefits to ensuring that all of the vehicles in your trash and/or recycling fleet undergo routine maintenance:
1. Added safety
When fleet vehicles begin to present issues that could lead to safety risks, it is of course much better to catch them in the garage than on the road. And with regular maintenance, potential hazards such as brake failures, stability and steering issues, pressure problems, belt fraying, fuel leakage, tire wear, and other prospective problems can be thwarted before they become more advanced. Thwarting those problems is important before they become bigger threats to your fleet’s drivers, as well as to other drivers and vehicles on the roadways.
2. Elevated fuel efficiency
Regular maintenance can also lead to better fuel economy. In fact, according to AAA, a poorly tuned vehicle can consume up to 50% more fuel than a well-maintained one. And it’s not just major issues that can increase a vehicle’s fuel consumption. Among the routine items on the typical maintenance to-do list, ensuring that a vehicle’s tire pressure is correct can lead to a 3% increase in fuel efficiency, while changing the engine’s oil can deliver a 2% increase in fuel efficiency.
3. Substantial money savings
Of course, the added fuel efficiency mentioned above is a great way for trash and/or recycling fleets to save money. (Especially considering the number of vehicles the typical fleet has on the roads and the number of miles they put in each day, even a small increase in fuel economy can add up quickly.) But the money saved with regular maintenance goes beyond gas savings. Routine maintenance can also help to prevent minor (at the time) vehicle issues from escalating into much bigger problems — and much more costly repairs. It can also help to keep your vehicles running longer, and the added life span will of course lead to savings by postponing the need for expensive vehicle replacement.
4. Reduced downtime
As mentioned above, when your fleet’s vehicles undergo regularly scheduled check-ups and maintenance, minor issues can be caught before they become big problems. And in addition to saving money, this can help prevent lengthy repair sessions — and keep your fleet’s vehicles on the road more and in the shop less.
5. Increased driver satisfaction
The benefits of regular fleet maintenance often extend beyond the fleet itself — and can be seen among members of the workforce, too. For example, when drivers are equipped with well-maintained, properly functioning vehicles and equipment, they don’t have to endure the headaches of regular mechanical issues and breakdowns, typically making them happier and more content in their roles. And a more satisfied workforce can lead to additional gains such as increased productivity and reduced employee turnover.
Ready to help with fleet maintenance and repair
To help ensure the longevity and proper functioning of your fleet’s vehicles, the Wastequip family of brands offers a range of trusted options for vehicle parts, services and maintenance. A few highlights among them include:
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Wastebuilt serves as an all-in-one parts supplier for businesses and municipalities in the waste industry, providing refuse body parts, chassis parts and container parts for a range of the most common brands used in the industry, along with hoses, fittings and MRO & safety supplies.
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Wastequip WRX offers a number of readily available service centers spread throughout the nation that can provide needed maintenance, repair and equipment installation for both new and old fleet vehicles and hoists using OEM or aftermarket parts and tarping systems. Wastequip WRX also offers an arm repair program for ASLs and frontloaders that can help keep older equipment functional for longer and downtime to a minimum via repair and refurbishment of automated side loader (ASL) arms.
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When vehicle replacement is needed, Amrep is the industry’s premier garbage truck body manufacturer of front-end loaders, side loaders, roll-off hoists and trailers. And with genuine Hardox® wear plate steel in the entire body shell, Amrep’s refuse truck bodies are the most durable on the market today.
About Wastequip
Wastequip is the leading North American manufacturer of waste-handling equipment, with an international network of manufacturing facilities and the most extensive dealer network in the industry. Wastequip’s broad range of waste and recycling equipment, trucks and systems is used to collect, process and transport recyclables, solid waste, liquid waste and organics. The company’s brands include Amrep®, Accurate™, ConFab®, ContainerPros®, Galbreath®, Mountain Tarp®, Pioneer™, Toter®, Wastebuilt®, Wastequip®, Wastequip WRX™ and wasteware™. For more information, visit www.wastequip.com.