New class of loaders can enhance compost producers’ efficiencies
Mid- to larger-sized articulated loaders are already a staple within composting facilities. These machines are used to move and load raw material into grinders, maintain compost windrows, assist with screening material, transport finished compost around the site and support retail sales. The fact is: a lot of work gets done in a composting facility with compact articulated loaders.
But is the same-sized loader efficient for every phase of the composting process? According to Ted Dirkx, sales manager for recycling and forestry equipment at Vermeer, a one-size-fits-all equipment strategy may be impacting your composting facility’s operating costs and productivity.
“Material handling needs change as incoming raw material is processed and turned to mulch,” said Dirkx. “In the early part of the process, larger loaders with higher lift capacities are required, but those same loaders may be too much machine for handling retail compost blends and soil. Unless your composting facility is selling end-products by the truckload, using compact articulated loaders may be a more efficient equipment solution for some of your daily operations.”
Let’s take a deeper dive into the topic by looking at five reasons to add a compact articulated loader to your composting facility’s equipment fleet.
1. Streamlined composting operations
Larger articulated loaders can be a significant capital investment for composting facilities, and if yours is like many, you likely share loaders across the multiple phases of the composting process. So, the same loader used to move material to the grinder and/or trommel screen is also responsible for loading customers’ retail compost blends and soils. This approach can impact the efficiency of your facility as other equipment operators are left waiting for the material while a loader is being utilized elsewhere.
“Pulling a larger loader from the yard to the retail section to help with loading can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour round trip, depending on the size and arrangement of the composting facility,” explained Dirkx. “Adding to that is the unpredictability of the customer’s timing and need. Facilities only selling bulk material may have a good handle on customers’ schedules, but there is much less control in the process when selling to contractors, municipalities and homeowners. In this scenario, loader operators are forced to spend their day jockeying around the site, trying to keep ahead of it all. It’s not ideal and will have an impact on other areas of your operations.”
2. Sized for location and application
You also need to think about the size of the wheel loader you’re using in the different areas of your operations. Big loaders work great for handling bulky, heavy material in large operating areas. But if your yard’s retail space has a much smaller footprint, and the material is stacked much closer together, an articulated loader could maximize efficiency and productivity.
“Compact articulated loaders, like the Vermeer ATX850, achieve high maneuverability with a small machine footprint,” said Dirkx. “The ability to quickly drive around stacked material, scoop and load trailers without having to constantly make steering adjustments to avoid backing into another pile saves time. And since Vermeer ATX compact articulated loaders have a telescopic boom, they offer enough reach to load trailers with high sidewalls.”
3. Optimize fuel and operational efficiency
There can also be an operational efficiency reason to consider mixing up the size of the loaders. Larger loaders are equipped with big engines to deliver the horsepower needed for heavy lifting and hauling, which may be necessary in many areas of your yard — but not everywhere. Unless you’re selling bulk loads of compost, investing in a smaller horse-powered articulated loader for your retail space could help reduce your fuel bill. Here’s how:
- Compact articulated loaders are more fuel-efficient than an average wheel loader used at most composting facilities.
- Having a dedicated compact articulated loader in your retail section cuts down the fuel bill for your larger loaders since you won’t need to move them over longer distances as frequently.
Of course, adding a compact articulated loader may also impact other operational costs. Whether a machine is being walked from one end of your facility to the other or loading material into a trommel screen, hours are hours. Optimizing how you use your loaders on site may help extend service intervals for your whole fleet.
4. Accommodate a broader range of customers
Bulk sales are important for many large composting facilities, but selling in smaller volumes can be profitable, too. The individuals buying smaller quantities are landscapers, landscape suppliers, golf course superintendents and homeowners. And these customers likely aren’t pulling onto your yard with a semi-truck and trailer — most are probably driving a pickup truck and pulling a trailer because they only need between a ½ – 1 tons (.5 mT – .9mT) of material. Using a loader with 3.3 cubic yards – 12 cubic yards (2.5 m3 – 9.2 m³) can be too much machine for loading these trailers. It can also be an issue because the loader arms can hinder sightlines to the trailer, and you risk overloading these small trailers.
“With a compact articulated loader, operators have high visibility to their surroundings and can control the volume of material they are dumping,” said Dirkx. “The loader’s size and maneuverability can help compost producers serve customers efficiently, no matter what size truck and trailer they have.”
Dirkx also said that since the Vermeer ATX compact articulated loaders can be outfitted with many attachments, including forks, they are also ideal for loading palleted material. “Vermeer ATX loaders have a multi-tool attachment plate, which means they can accommodate a wide range of authorized attachments — similar to the Vermeer line of mini skid steers.”
5. Facility maintenance support
Compact articulated loaders can also be a better option for facility maintenance than other tool carrier types, including full-sized skid steer loaders.
Did you know that there are several advantages that Vermeer wheel loaders have performing all those odd jobs around the yard, like sweeping, pushing snow and moving material/supplies?
One of the most important advantages is their articulating capabilities: Smooth turning means you’ll minimize ground disturbance on wet days and will help maximize tire life. Also, articulated loaders have fast travel speeds, the suspension system enhances ride comfort, and the operator station sites are high for visibility of the surrounding area.
Want to learn more?
Your equipment fleet is a critical element to your overall operation. Optimizing the number and sizes of the articulated loaders can help. If you want to learn more about Vermeer ATX compact articulated loaders, reach out to your local Vermeer dealer.
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