Transition from 18 wheels to garbage truck

Discussion in 'Waste Removal and Garbage Truck Driver Forum' started by Rocky the Flying Squirrel, Feb 26, 2015.

  1. Rocky the Flying Squirrel

    Rocky the Flying Squirrel Bobtail Member

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    Can someone offer advice on what's considered acceptable operating practice for a garbage truck?

    I am neck deep in driver training and running with some pretty efficient guys. They scare me! My day goes like this - full throttle - brake - pick up can - repeat. The goal is to move the truck to the next can as fast as possible. These guys expect flat foot backing down residential streets ... Is this what it takes to haul garbage? Seems a bit harsh on the equipment but I hear "pedal on the right" all day. Help!
     
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  3. Mike2633

    Mike2633 Road Train Member

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    Oh gosh I'd never make it I'm the slowest Class A backer in the world and I think my Class B backing has actually gotten worse, since I started driving Class A. The good news is you don't have to worry about any trailer going any way it wants! :O
     
  4. Rocky the Flying Squirrel

    Rocky the Flying Squirrel Bobtail Member

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    I was taught to back at idle. I recently learned that yes you can hammer the throttle and drive backwards. Ok ... It was fun at first but now its wearing on me.
     
  5. GoneButNotForgotten

    GoneButNotForgotten Heavy Load Member

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    Is this one of those jobs that as soon as you can finish the route you get to go home, so your job becomes to beat the clock?
     
  6. Rocky the Flying Squirrel

    Rocky the Flying Squirrel Bobtail Member

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    Yes. I get a route and can go home as soon as its complete.
     
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  7. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    You should not be backing down the street at all. This is an accident waiting to happen, bad idea. And no it should not be full throttle then full brake. This is a senanrio with disaster at the end. I would stay away. Most of the time trash drivers can not make it anywhere else. Run the other way.
     
  8. Rocky the Flying Squirrel

    Rocky the Flying Squirrel Bobtail Member

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    I needed to hear this.

    I am a former car hauler - had my lungs removed by Chrysler. I swore I'd never own another truck or haul cars for that matter. I wanted something local and ran across an ad in the paper. Need to start applying again
     
  9. 6wheeler

    6wheeler Road Train Member

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    I ran garbage trucks years ago. Very dangerous job. Rear loader is bad for getting hit by cars. Front loader is dangerous with hydraulic failure in the compactor, and fires. Rolloff is dangerous with opening the doors, and having the can come off the truck. Had a tarp tower bust my head open one day. Watch out for stepping on something sharp at the landfill.
     
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  10. FuzzFace2

    FuzzFace2 Medium Load Member

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    That is what I was thinking too. Get her done and get out wile making full pay in half a days time!
    Besides how long have they been driving that truck? Just like driving a stick trany truck the more you drive it the better you get at shifting it.

    At 16 I learned to drive in a panel van, took my license in it too and you had to use the mirrors both driving and backing, so backing both class A & B is not an issue for me.
    First class B truck I drove, dump truck, had a 2sp rear and I could shift it to high range when backing down long driveways.

    So more time behind the wheel and you can do the same flat foot backing up.
    Dave ----
     
  11. Quickfarms

    Quickfarms Heavy Load Member

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    High speed backing was the norm for roll off and rear load, used to love shifting gears in reverse.

    I hated front loaders because the junk dropped all over the cab.

    The business is very hard on the equipment and some drivers are abusive. Most drivers just push the equipment to get the job done.

    I grew up around heavy equipment, I was in a pile driving crew in high school, that is much more dangerous than garbage.
     
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