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By Brad Longmuir, Sales Manager, Holmbury Inc.
Broken hydraulic hoses and forgotten disconnections are common and costly problems for drivers who pick up and drop off self-contained waste compactors. These compactors are typically found in industries like restaurants, manufacturing, and universities, where they rely on hydraulic lines and quick disconnect couplers for operation. However, during the pickup process, drivers often forget to disconnect the hydraulic lines from the compactor’s power unit. This oversight can lead to serious damage to both the compactor and the truck, resulting in expensive repairs, operational downtime, and disrupted waste management schedules. By taking preventive measures, companies can avoid costly repairs, maintain uninterrupted operations, and improve driver accountability.
Photograph courtesy of Holmbury Inc
Prevent Costly Mistakes Using a Waste Bracket Coupler
Self-contained commercial waste compactors are an excellent solution for businesses that need to handle waste efficiently and cleanly. These compactors are highly versatile and capable of managing both wet and dry waste. They are ideal for businesses dealing with large volumes of waste, including food waste and other liquid-heavy materials, plastic, cardboard, paper, textiles, and damaged or expired products. Their ability to compact a wide range of materials makes them a practical solution for various industries. They can compress the volume of wet waste by up to 75%. This helps to reduce the mess, odor, and inefficiencies associated with traditional waste disposal methods.
By integrating the compactor and container into one unit, these systems prevent the leakage of liquids and odors during transport to the landfill. These units also discourage scavengers from rummaging through waste. The power unit of the compactor stays securely on-site while the container is hauled away via a roll-off truck, simplifying the disposal process.
The Risk of Drive-Off Errors
When a driver forgets to disconnect the hydraulic lines, they can unintentionally cause up to $5,000 in damage each time a drive-off error occurs. Damages to the hydraulic power unit or hoses, as well as the safety hazards created by dragging the unit behind the truck, are just some of the consequences. Additionally, hydraulic fluid spills can harm the environment and lead to costly EPA violations.
Photograph courtesy of Holmbury Inc
The Solution: Waste Bracket Couplers
The use of a new Waste Bracket Coupler can eliminate costly and frustrating drive-off issues caused by broken hydraulic lines due to operator neglect. For example, in industries like waste management or manufacturing, where time-sensitive operations depend on reliable equipment, a single drive-off incident can result in significant downtime and repair costs. The mounted bracket has ISO16028 female couplers in 3/8” and 1/2″ sizes, which can rotate both horizontally and vertically, and have the female sleeves mounted in the bracket to achieve the breakaway feature.
These ISO16028 couplers can accept both standard and connect-under-pressure male couplers that are ISO16028 compliant. The innovative “breakaway” feature ensures that if a driver forgets to disconnect the hydraulic lines, the couplers will safely disengage without causing damage. The use of ISO16028 flat-face couplers will ensure that there is no fluid spillage during connection or disconnection, even in the event of a drive-off. This helps to maintain environmental safety and workplace cleanliness.
The connect-under-pressure male couplers will allow for connection to the truck even if there is trapped pressure in the hydraulic lines on the truck. In situations where trapped pressure in the truck’s hydraulic lines would normally delay reconnection, the connect-under-pressure male couplers allow operators to quickly resume operations without hassle. This thoughtful design not only reduces the risk of equipment damage but also minimizes downtime, keeping operations running smoothly and efficiently.
Easy Installation and Safe Operation
The bracket component of the Waste Bracket Coupler features mounting holes that allow for easy installation. The ISO16028 specification was written around a specific design, making it an ideal fit for many fleets. The use of this Coupler helps eliminate downtime due to spills or broken hydraulic lines. It also helps customers avoid hydraulic fluid spills, which is particularly valuable for those who have had issues. Additionally, it provides a safer way to ensure that the hoses can disconnect from the self-contained waste compactor, saving ample time and money for any company that utilizes it.