Garbage truck checklist: the 5 main items

Do you have a garbage truck checklist? Do you know the most important items to inspect? That is what we will discuss today.

Although these vehicles are very common, present in every city in Brazil, are they well cared for? Garbage trucks usually belong to the municipality, but that does not mean their care should be poor.

They still need preventive maintenance to avoid hazards, of course. So today we have brought together the main items that should be inspected on a garbage truck.

Hydraulics

A garbage truck relies on hydraulics to do its job. After all, this is how the weight of the garbage is lifted and/or pushed into the truck. Some things you can include in your checklist model for this vehicle type are:

Filter

Check for dirt or debris that could clog the filter and impair the machine’s operation.

Cylinder rod

When the rod is damaged, leaks can occur. So look for wear in this area.

Fluid line

Check for leaks anywhere, even if the rod is normal. This signals problems in the fluid line and needs to be investigated a little further.

Hydraulic cylinder barrel

Many problems can occur when the cylinder barrel fails, so look for signs of swelling or other symptoms when inspecting this area of the vehicle.

Side loading

Look for signs of resistance along the sides of the cylinder to avoid more serious problems.

Compaction system

To the naked eye, the compaction blades may look perfect, but you need to inspect each part and make sure they are clean, without residue or debris. This is a way to extend the vehicle’s durability and operation.

Also, check the bolts and pins to make sure they are securely attached to the structure — there is no need to spell out the danger of an accident with these blades, right?

Loader and clamps (forks)

The loader lifts garbage containers to tip their contents into the truck. This system has several small parts that should be inspected frequently: cable rollers and pulleys, container locks, control levers, and so on.

Always look for signs of wear on every part and check that all parts are properly lubricated for correct operation.

For the clamps, or forks, check all the pins and bolts in the structure. They are crucial to the machine’s proper operation and the vehicle’s safety. Also check the speed and lubrication of these loader forks.

Oil and fluid levels

Failing to check and change the oil when necessary can cause failures and annoying noises. At this stage of the inspection, check for leaks, system pressure and whether the valves are clean.

Any problem in these components, as well as in the oil reservoir, can cause the garbage truck to malfunction and put workers’ safety at risk.

Battery cables

There is no need to explain why inspecting and maintaining these cables matters, right? Still, it is worth repeating: the entire vehicle and its functions depend on the battery. So the cables need proper care and should always be tested to prevent damage and failures.

If the cable is not transmitting a full charge during the load test, this problem needs to be corrected with the electrical maintenance team. This helps ensure greater durability for the garbage truck.

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