Garbage trucks are a vital part of any community’s waste management system. They ensure that the streets are free of clutter and waste, making the neighborhood clean and livable. But have you ever wondered how many trash cans a garbage truck can hold? In this article, we’ll take a look at the different types of garbage trucks available in the United States and their capacities.
Overview of Trash truck capacity
On average, a garbage truck can hold approximately 30 cubic yards of trash (about 6059 Gallons). This means that the truck can hold about 173 small trash cans (35 gallons), 93 medium sized trash can (65 gallons), and 64 large trash cans (95 gallons)
Garbage trucks come in different sizes and types, each with its own unique capacity. The four major types of garbage trucks are front loader, side loader, rear loader, and roll off.
Front loader trucks are commonly used for industrial waste and can hold up to 40 cubic yards of trash.
Side loader trucks, on the other hand, are ideal for household waste and can pick up trash from about 1,500 homes each day. The standard size of a side loader truck is 28 cubic yards of garbage.
Rear loader trucks are versatile and can handle both commercial and residential waste, with some models capable of carrying up to 18 tons of garbage.
Finally, roll off trucks are typically used in construction and demolition sites and can haul up to 10 tons of garbage. [1]
Types of garbage trucks
1- Front loader
Front loader garbage trucks are designed to carry heavy waste materials from industrial and commercial properties. They come with spacious containers that can hold up to 40 cubic yards (8078 gallons) of waste material and can lift containers weighing approximately 8000 lbs.
This capacity translates into 230 small trash cans (35 gallons), 124 medium sized trash can (65 gallons), and 85 large trash cans (95 gallons)
These trucks are equipped with steel forks that are controlled hydraulically and a lift for transferring the trash into the truck.
2- Side loader
The side loader garbage truck is a popular choice for those looking to collect household waste.
Most standard trucks can hold up to 28 cubic yards (5655 gallons) of garbage. This capacity translates into 162 small trash cans (35 gallons), 87 medium sized trash can (65 gallons), and 59 large trash cans (95 gallons) [2]
3- Rear loader
Rear loader garbage trucks are a popular choice when it comes to mass-scale commercial trash removal services. They have a massive rear opening that allows you to collect large quantities of waste in one go.
The weight capacity of these trucks can goes from 6 to 35 cubic yards (1211-7069 gallons), depending on the size of the truck.
This capacity translates into 35-202 small trash cans (35 gallons), 18-109 medium sized trash can (65 gallons), and 13-74 large trash cans (95 gallons).
4- Roll off
Roll off garbage trucks are commonly used in demolition sites and other construction operations due to their large containers that can hold many tons of debris.
Roll offs have a lifting capacity of up to 10 tons and can haul up to 40 cubic yards (8078 gallons) of material. These trucks are ideal for managing large-scale waste removal and disposal projects. [3]
Lifting capacity of garbage trucks
The lifting capacity of trash trucks varies depending on the type of truck and its size. Generally, trash trucks can lift between 2 and 4 tons of rubbish, equivalent to the waste generated by small towns and cities, while there are those trucks that can handle up to 14 tons.
The range of lifting capacity is essential because it determines how much rubbish a single truck can carry and how many trips a truck needs to make to dispose of all the garbage.
This is why the weight sensor (that is installed in the truck) is crucial for maintaining lifting capacity. It ensures that the truck is not overloaded beyond its capacity, ensuring safety and efficiency in waste management.
Factors affecting number of bags a trash truck can hold
There are several factors that affect the number of bags a trash truck can hold. Here are some of them:
1. Bag size: Obviously, the larger the bags are, the fewer bags can fit in the truck. On the other hand, smaller bags can fit more in the same amount of space.
2. Type of truck: Different types of garbage trucks have different capacities. For example, rear loaders tend to have larger capacities than standard front loaders.
3. Type of waste: Depending on what kind of waste is being collected, the amount that can fit in the truck may vary. For example, bulky waste like furniture takes up more space than regular household trash.
4. Compaction: Compacting the waste can help fit more into the truck, but there is a limit to how much the garbage can be compressed. Trucks with stronger hydraulic systems can handle more compaction.
Ultimately, the number of bags a trash truck can hold depends on a variety of factors that need to be taken into consideration to ensure the efficient collection and disposal of waste. [4]
