5 questions about landfill compactors

1. What are the advantages of using a landfill compactor in landfill operations?

A landfill compactor reduces environmental impact by compressing waste to conserve space and extend landfill life. Compaction minimizes air pockets, lowers fire risks and stabilizes waste for safer operations. It also enhances liner and cover performance, reducing leachate and protecting soil and groundwater. Overall, compactors improve space efficiency, safety and environmental protection in landfill management.

2. What key factors should be evaluated when choosing a landfill compactor?

Compaction efficiency: Maximizing airspace extends landfill life and reduces costly expansions. Consistent compaction lowers the need for new sites and delivers long-term savings.

Safety through advanced visibility: Improved visibility from the cab, including the use of wide-angle cameras, helps operators avoid hazards and other personnel.

Ergonomic designs: Better cab ergonomics reduce operator fatigue, which can prevent accidents.

Reliable product support: A knowledgeable support team and reliable dealer network ensure proper maintenance, rapid parts availability and minimal downtime, keeping landfill operations efficient and uninterrupted.

3. How do you choose the correct machine size?

Selecting the right landfill compactor depends on site conditions, mainly daily waste volume and material flow. A common rule of thumb is to divide the machine’s operating weight (in pounds) by 100 to estimate daily processing capacity in tons. For example, a 120,000-pound compactor can handle about 1,200 tons per day. This guideline helps match equipment size to operational needs for efficient waste management and reliable performance.

4. How much influence does wheel design have on the effectiveness of compaction?

Wheel design plays a crucial role in the performance and effectiveness of refuse compactors. Key factors such as wheel steel alloy, size, shape, cleat pattern and design directly influence how pressure is distributed and how force penetrates the waste.

Wider two-drum wheels distribute the load over a larger surface area, which reduces ground pressure and limits compaction depth.

In contrast machines with four wheels with a specialized polygon design concentrate force into smaller contact points, increasing penetration and improving compaction depth.

Wheel design also affects traction and the kneading action, which is especially important when working with the materials typically found in an American municipal solid waste landfill.

5. What are the benefits of buying a purpose built landfill compactor? 

Some manufacturers choose to simply upfit their wheel loaders, while others engineer their compactors from the ground up, designing machines specifically to deliver maximum performance in demanding, high-intensity environments.

Compactors with well-balanced weight distribution and a high degree of oscillation provide superior compaction by keeping all four wheels in constant contact with the ground, ensuring even pressure across the surface. This results in enhanced stability, improved traction and greater compaction efficiency under all working conditions, far surpassing the capabilities of standard two-drum compactors.

In the harsh conditions of landfill operations, delivering long-term durability and consistent, reliable performance is what truly matters.

For more details, visit BOMAG.com or reach out to your local BOMAG dealer.