How today’s modern wheel loaders drive waste stream strategies

The wheel loader is a tireless workhorse in waste and environmental services, but rising material volumes, shrinking margins and expanding sustainability mandates demand even more. To maintain profitability in high-pressure facilities like material recovery facilities (MRFs), transfer stations and organics operations, loader use is about strategy just as much as it is about power.

The modern wheel loader’s role has advanced from a simple material mover to a key strategic asset, directly affecting total cost of ownership (TCO), worker safety and environmental compliance. This shift requires a new equipment evaluation model that goes beyond initial purchase price to include advanced features and technologies that ensure superior uptime and efficiency. Today’s front-end loaders are engineered to tackle core challenges across these types of facilities.

Max uptime in MRFs and transfer stations

High-traffic waste environments, especially transfer stations and MRFs, are uniquely harsh, characterized by cramped spaces, slick or abrasive floors and constantly moving vehicles. Here, the top priorities for equipment selection are durability and uptime.

Loaders purpose-built for the waste sector are equipped with special features to address these challenges:

• Component protection. Recycling and waste packages typically include additional guarding, cab and engine precleaners and design adaptations such as removing fenders or modifying steps to shield critical components from debris and impact.
• Tire life and TCO. Tire spin is profitability’s worst enemy in these environments, leading to premature wear that can cost upwards of $40,000 per set to replace. Features like automatic traction control, which senses wheel slip and engages the differential lock, or systems that allow the operator to adjust torque (rimpull), are essential for minimizing wear and extending tire life.
• Simplified maintenance. Safe and easy access to a loader’s service areas makes consistent maintenance much simpler, and regular upkeep is one of the best ways to prevent costly failures. Look for features like external brake wear indicators, a battery disconnect switch with lockout-tagout functionality and service platforms with harness anchor points to prevent falls. A tiltable cab is also a huge advantage because it significantly reduces downtime.

Higher precision and performance in organics

In organics processing, the focus shifts to precise handling and operational efficiency to meet the growing demand for quality compost. Front-end loaders in this segment often are used for windrow turning, loading raw materials into grinders and handling finished compost for retail sales.

Optimal productivity in organics recycling operations is achieved through:

• Right-sizing and bucket selection. Choosing the proper loader size and bucket is critical. The machine should have enough power to handle the work but not so much that it wastes fuel. And bucket volume alone isn’t an adequate measure—the bucket needs to be correctly shaped and sized for the material type, the operator’s skill level and the transport distance.
• Assistive functions for repetitive tasks. In high-cycle conditions, certain wheel loader features can reduce operator fatigue and increase efficiency. For example, boom kickout (stopping the boom at a preset height for repeated loading) and return-to-dig (lowering the bucket to the same position every time) enable consistent, faster-paced work. Similarly, Volvo’s patented Reverse By Braking senses when the operator is changing direction and automatically applies the service brakes, providing smoother movement and decreasing cycle times. A newer function in this realm is Volvo’s Auto Bucket Fill, which automates filling the bucket by controlling the throttle, boom lift and bucket curl for a smooth, precise pass every time.
• Driveline intelligence. Automated modes like Volvo’s Smart Control ensure that optimal torque is applied to harmonize the engine and hydraulics. This allows for a shorter “Y cycle” maneuver (commonly used for repeated loading), which reduces cycle times and conserves fuel.

Cab technology for improving safety and strategy

For peak performance, a front-end loader must be integrated into a solid overall site strategy. This is easy to achieve with advanced software and connectivity that transform raw data into operational intelligence:

• 360-degree visibility. On busy sites, visibility is a critical safety issue. Many newer loaders have some sort of collision mitigation offering that alerts operators to obstacles when reversing. Systems like Volvo Smart View take it even further, using multiple cameras and deep learning technology to give the operator a 360-degree view of the loader’s surroundings on the in-cab display. Advanced versions can even differentiate between objects and humans, which is a big advantage in transfer stations where foot traffic and vehicle movement are constant.
• Optimizing the load. Payload management systems provide operators with real-time payload data (within 1 percent accuracy if it’s Volvo Load Assist). This lowers fuel and labor costs by drastically reducing—if not eliminating—time wasted on guessing, reweighing and moving partial loads. The operator gets the load right every time, so haul trucks aren’t under- or overloaded.
• Connected site management. Many of today’s telematics systems allow machines to “see” each other and enhance traffic flow across a worksite by alerting operators to bottlenecks, speed zones and hazards in real time. This capability (called Connected Map at Volvo) also helps site managers determine the right type, size and quantity of machines for optimal material sorting and flow.
  

How electric fits in

For compliance, transitioning to electric wheel loaders can provide a triple advantage, especially for facilities in urban or residential areas:

1. Noise mitigation. Traditional diesel loaders can exceed 100 decibels, but electric models are significantly quieter. This might mean your facility can operate for extended hours without violating local noise ordinances, which is a big competitive differentiator.
2. Sustainability. Electric machines don’t produce exhaust emissions, which allows companies to proactively meet corporate or municipal environmental, social and governance goals. In some regions, zero-emission equipment is eligible for substantial rebates or tax incentives.
3. Financial value. The TCO argument for electrification is compelling. Electric loaders don’t idle, they have fewer moving parts and the lifetime of battery-electric components is the same as or longer than those in a diesel engine. Volvo conservatively estimates a 35 percent savings in maintenance costs and time over the life of its electric machines. Furthermore, the elimination of idle time slows the accumulation of hours, better preserving resale value.
   

Investing in strategic value

For modern waste and recycling facilities, the front-end loader has transitioned from a commodity purchase to a complex capital investment that must be evaluated for total cost of ownership and strategic impact. By embracing machines that are engineered for maximum durability, equipped with precision technology and maybe even powered by electric drivetrains, you can make your operation safer, more efficient and ready to meet the escalating demands of sustainability and cost control. Partner with your dealer or original equipment manufacturer to strategically implement these tools and realize the full value of today’s wheel loaders.

Eric Yeomans is product manager—large wheel loaders at Volvo Construction Equipment, with U.S. headquarters in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. More information is available at www.volvoce.com.