Garbage trucks are a common sight in our cities and towns, performing a crucial role in maintaining public health. However, for fleet managers, these vehicles pose unique challenges in terms of operation and maintenance. Frequent starts and stops, tight turns, and carrying heavy loads for much of their journeys contribute to significant wear and tear on tires and higher fuel consumption, especially if wheels and axles are misaligned.
The Impact of Misalignment
Misalignment in garbage trucks exacerbates fuel usage and tire wear. While Mobalign doesn’t make specific claims about fuel savings due to the many variables involved—driver behavior, vehicle load, and tire inflation—customer feedback has provided valuable insights.
When a fleet manager tracks fuel consumption before and after a Mobalign alignment and reports significant savings, it’s clear the benefits can be transformative.
Take for example a customer’s report on a single garbage truck—front-end loader, single steer, tandem drive axles.
Data Before Mobalign Alignment (May)
- Distance traveled: 2,852 km
- Average speed: 12.79 km/h
- Fuel consumption: 83.98 liters per 100 km
- Total fuel used: 2,395 liters
- Fuel cost: $3,832.00 CAD
Data After Mobalign Alignment (August)
- Distance traveled: 2,617 km
- Average speed: 12.89 km/h
- Fuel consumption: 49.03 liters per 100 km
- Total fuel used: 1,283 liters
- Fuel cost: $2,052.80 CAD
Fuel Savings
- Monthly reduction in fuel consumption: 34.95 liters per 100 km
- Monthly cost savings: $1,529.16 CAD
- Annual cost savings: $18,349.88 CAD
Environmental Impact
Aligning vehicles doesn’t just save money; it’s also a significant step toward reducing environmental impact. Misalignment increases the work required of a vehicle’s engine, leading to higher CO2 emissions.
The same garbage truck saw the following improvements:
CO2 Emissions Before Alignment
- 6,418.6 kg (6.42 metric tons) of CO2
CO2 Emissions After Alignment
- 3,438.44 kg (3.44 metric tons) of CO2
Environmental Savings
- Monthly reduction in CO2: 2,980.16 kg (2.98 metric tons)
- Annual reduction in CO2: 35,761.92 kg (35.76 metric tons)
Key Takeaways for Fleet Managers
- Alignment is Crucial: Proper alignment reduces engine strain and fuel consumption while decreasing tire wear in garbage trucks—even with constant starting and stopping.
- Partnering with Specialists: Mobalign specializes in the waste management sector, ensuring vehicles are set up for optimal performance and savings.
- Cost-Effective Maintenance: The savings from aligning a single truck can offset the cost of aligning an entire fleet. Regular alignment checks should be part of annual maintenance routines and tire changes.
- Environmental Goals: Correct alignment contributes to company CO2 reduction targets. Across a fleet, the cumulative environmental impact is significant.
Contact Us
Fleet managers who oversee garbage truck fleets may be unintentionally burning money due to misalignment. Even small inefficiencies add up across a fleet, draining budgets and impacting sustainability goals. By including alignment services from Mobalign as part of routine maintenance, fleet managers can realize substantial savings in fuel costs, extend tire life, and significantly reduce environmental impact.
Align your fleet with Mobalign and drive toward a more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable future. Contact Mobalign today.