Refuse Trucks for Sale (145)

Refuse Trucks Overview

What does a typical operator want from a refuse truck? They will need to be able to safely transport a team of workers to the job, so plenty of seating in the cab is ideal.

When dealing with trade waste, the issue of transporting a team around becomes less important and it is more about having the right payload and lifts for the jobs in hand.

Reliability is important and how easy the truck is to drive and manoeuvre – there are plenty of narrow streets to navigate. So fully automatic hydraulic gearboxes like those manufactured by Allison, (rather than automated gearboxes that are on most trucks) are the right tool for the job.

Know your CLOCS from your FORS

Operating refuse trucks in urban environments means that operators will encounter the Construction Logistics and Community Safety (CLOCS) and Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS). These schemes work together to help companies and truck operators work safely.  The CLOCS side is driven by the construction industry that is all-encompassing, whilst the FORS is the actual transport element used by the fleet operators. If an operator is FORS silver compliant, then they are compliant with CLOCS.

Euro 6 Regeneration Issues

Regeneration – no nothing to do with Dr. Who, but for many modern, Euro 6 trucks they need to clear out the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) on a regular basis.  This usually  takes place at high temperatures on motorways, but refuse trucks rarely make it onto a motorway – certainly for any great distance. This means that the truck has to heat itself up when stationary (active regeneration and can take up to one hour!).  This uses fuel, is time consuming and can be dangerous.

Watch the DAF Regeneration Video for Advice

Manufacturers such as Iveco play strongly on the fact that their Euro 6 trucks use a different (SCR Only) approach.  This means that they do not have to self-regenerate – they don’t have a low-entry cab at present, so this makes purchasing one for urban refuse operations more tricky.

Low Entry Cabs

As the operators will be in and out of the cab plenty of times during the day, a ‘low-entry’ cab is ideal.  These cabs resemble the front end of a coach more closely than a truck, but it means that there is usually just one step up rather than two, three or sometimes even four steps to get into a truck cab.

There are two main examples of low entry cabs, the Dennis Elite and the Mercedes Econic.  Scania have recently launched the L-Series low entry cab, but there will not be many for sale in the UK’s used refuse truck market for some while to come.

Similarly, Volvo’s FE low entry cab has been around in its current guise since 2018 but relatively few are seen (and the cab looks less purpose designed and more like a cut and shut to the existing cab.)

Dennis Eagle – Elite

Part of the Dutch Terberg Group, Dennis Eagle, (yes they used to make fire engines too but the two parts of the company were split some while back) manufacture their 1,000 or so trucks in the UK. In Their strength is the direct vision capabilities of the cab design – meeting direct vision standards (DVS) has become increasingly important across many cities. London, for example has standards beginning in 2021 Read More.

This means that we will be seeing more Dennis Eagle trucks on the road, but with non-municipal bodies on.

Whilst customers are free to buy a Dennis Elite as a chassis cab, Dennis Eagle have their own range of refuse bodies – the Olympus as well as a bin lift – the beta range. Ordering the complete refuse truck directly from Dennis should shorten overall lead times, as there will only be one stage in the build and therefore less paperwork as far as the vehicle type approval is concerned.

Around the corner is Dennis’ ‘Ecollect’ fully electric refuse truck – watch this space.

Interested in buying a used Dennis Refuse truck – see our Dennis Trucks for Sale here View all Dennis Elite trucks for sale.

Mercedes Econic

With the might of Daimler, the largest truck manufacturer in the world behind it, it is perhaps not surprising that Mercedes have designed and built a specialist low-entry cab – the Econic.

With a five-star direct vision rating and Mercedes-Benz’ most up to date engine technology it is not a cheap option, but operators recognise the build quality and the support available from the manufacturer.  There are always plenty of used Mercedes Econic trucks for sale at Truckpages.

Refuse Bodies

Refuse bodies are highly specialist and we recommend carrying out extensive research into the type available.  There are a number of UK dealers who specialise in refuse trucks, so it would be worthwhile telling them about your business for them to make suggestions about the best type of used refuse truck to suit you.

Here are some areas to bear in mind that may prompt questions that you can ask of the selling dealer.

• Does the truck have a split body? – This is ideal for separating waste and collections
• Is there a current LOLER test? – This is a general safety test for all lifting equipment
• Type of loader/lift(s)? – Choice of rear lift, kerbside lift and/or front-end loaders
• Does it have an onboard weighing system? – Helps greatly with compliance
• Is it fitted with Cameras? Perfect for on-site safety and for pedestrian safety

There are plenty of different manufacturers of bodies that can be fitted to your chassis – whether a low entry cab or otherwise.

Brands of Lift Manufacturers

Faun (models include Variopress, Rotopress, Powerpress, Selectapress Duo, Sidepress and Frontpress

Olympus (Dennis Eagle – earlier model the Phoenix) – See all other Ros Roca bodies

Geesink Norba (models include the GPM under the Geesink brand plus the N-Series and the MF-Series under the Norba brand)

Farid – Italian company with significant UK manufacturing base – took over Heil’s European business back in 2013. (Models include Powerlink, Twintrak, Bigbite and many more)

MOL – A Belgian company that has a range of bodies and lifts. (Models include the ECO range, ECOMAX, PUSHER and the MAX). Sold through HE Municipal in the UK (Inco-Mol)

Brands of Lift Manufacturers

Terberg (Omnidel, Omnitrade, both available – electric or hydraulic, the Euromax or Omnimax for integrated lifts. Basic modes are the TCH and TH)

Zoeller – Same group as Faun (see above) (models include the Rotary, Omega and Delta)