Fairhope, Alabama
FREQUENT BREAKDOWNS
In a presentation to the city council, Pubic Work's Supervisor Dale Linder reported that 3 of the city's automated garbage-pickup truck chassis purchased in September of 2011 (International 7400s, #541, 542, 547) have serious chronic mechanical issues -- causing disruptions in garbage, trash and recycling collection.
The fourth truck (#548) has a much better record -- despite being two years older.
"BREAKING POINT" REACHED
Linder said the 4 automated trucks each pick up about 1150 garbage cans every pickup day; but that number is growing as population increases.
The number of garbage accounts has grown by 32% since 2003.
Linder: "The question is ... how do we expand services for the new people moving in ... ."
"We're at the breaking point now ... with the units we have . Do we want to add another automated truck?"
3 FAULTY TRUCKS NOW
Linder said "faulty chassis-manufacturing issues" (wiring harnesses, EGR units, hubs, fuel pumps, other electrical issues) were putting stress on the whole collection system because "once one goes down, we don't have replacements for them ... no reserve automated trucks."
The fourth, truck #548, has a much better reliability record, according to Linder.
Mayor Kant: "We've been very disappointed with these trucks ... (I) had (city attorney) Tut write letters ... to turn them back in under the lemon law ... shouldn't be giving us trouble until after 5 years ... ."
CAUSING RECYCLING PROBLEMS
Mayor Kant said the garbage truck problems are disrupting the city's recycling program as well
Kant: "Dale has to make a decision. Do I throw all the recycling together in the back of a truck and haul it to Loxley because of time restraints? ... because we don't have the trucks ... ."
Kant also said the truck shortage requires employees to work more overtime to complete their routes.
[Later, councilman Ford gave assurances that no recyclables have been thrown away, as has been rumored out in the community (see video below)]
Sanitation workers work a normal 40 hours/week, but have Wednesdays off since there is no collection that day.
(Vehicle maintenance is performed on Wed. by the city's 4 mechanics).
NEW TRUCKS NEXT YEAR?
The city council will have to vote to include any new truck purchases in next year's budget.
Cost for a new chassis is from about $120-$150K. A whole new automated garbage truck would be about double that. A chassis is just the cab, engine, and frame -- onto which other equipment is mounted on the rear -- ie. trash, recycling, or garbage pick-up machinery.
(Eddie, one of the city's mechanics who work on the trucks warned that the old chassis could not be used elsewhere in the city's fleet either -- because of their unique "drop down" frame style: They could only be sold at auction at a considerable discount.)
FORD'S COMMENTS ON RECYCLING PROBLEMS:
FREQUENT BREAKDOWNS
In a presentation to the city council, Pubic Work's Supervisor Dale Linder reported that 3 of the city's automated garbage-pickup truck chassis purchased in September of 2011 (International 7400s, #541, 542, 547) have serious chronic mechanical issues -- causing disruptions in garbage, trash and recycling collection.
The fourth truck (#548) has a much better record -- despite being two years older.
"BREAKING POINT" REACHED
Linder said the 4 automated trucks each pick up about 1150 garbage cans every pickup day; but that number is growing as population increases.
The number of garbage accounts has grown by 32% since 2003.
Linder: "The question is ... how do we expand services for the new people moving in ... ."
"We're at the breaking point now ... with the units we have . Do we want to add another automated truck?"
3 FAULTY TRUCKS NOW
Linder said "faulty chassis-manufacturing issues" (wiring harnesses, EGR units, hubs, fuel pumps, other electrical issues) were putting stress on the whole collection system because "once one goes down, we don't have replacements for them ... no reserve automated trucks."
The fourth, truck #548, has a much better reliability record, according to Linder.
Mayor Kant: "We've been very disappointed with these trucks ... (I) had (city attorney) Tut write letters ... to turn them back in under the lemon law ... shouldn't be giving us trouble until after 5 years ... ."
CAUSING RECYCLING PROBLEMS
Mayor Kant said the garbage truck problems are disrupting the city's recycling program as wellKant: "Dale has to make a decision. Do I throw all the recycling together in the back of a truck and haul it to Loxley because of time restraints? ... because we don't have the trucks ... ."
Kant also said the truck shortage requires employees to work more overtime to complete their routes.
[Later, councilman Ford gave assurances that no recyclables have been thrown away, as has been rumored out in the community (see video below)]
Sanitation workers work a normal 40 hours/week, but have Wednesdays off since there is no collection that day.
(Vehicle maintenance is performed on Wed. by the city's 4 mechanics).
NEW TRUCKS NEXT YEAR?
The city council will have to vote to include any new truck purchases in next year's budget.
Cost for a new chassis is from about $120-$150K. A whole new automated garbage truck would be about double that. A chassis is just the cab, engine, and frame -- onto which other equipment is mounted on the rear -- ie. trash, recycling, or garbage pick-up machinery.
(Eddie, one of the city's mechanics who work on the trucks warned that the old chassis could not be used elsewhere in the city's fleet either -- because of their unique "drop down" frame style: They could only be sold at auction at a considerable discount.)
FORD'S COMMENTS ON RECYCLING PROBLEMS:
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