Service Needs for a Commercial Trash Compactor

Your commercial trash compactors are a great investment for your businesses that generate a large volume of recycling materials and/or waste. By crushing and compressing waste, there are fewer hauls required which lowers your collection and transportation costs for your recycled materials.

Your commercial trash compactor works hard and is used on a regular basis in all kinds of extreme environments. And like all heavy equipment, there are hydraulic systems, switches, controls, and electrical systems-also a constant abrasion of metal against metal. Because of all of these factors, commercial trash compactors may need repairs and maintenance checks from time to time to make sure everything is working properly.

Let’s go over some common service needs for commercial trash compactors.

1. Loud / Strange Noises

This is one of the most common problems that result in your commercial trash compactor needed service. You probably already know that commercial trash compactors are already loud machinery, to begin with. However, if the noises coming from your machine become strange or even louder than normal, then there could be a bigger problem with the compactor that requires attention. The causes behind this situation could be several, that is why it is recommended to get your machine checked out by a service professional.

2. The Ram Won't Move

The ram is a key part of the compactor. It is responsible for compacting the materials inside the machinery so it must operate correctly for the compactor to run efficiently. If this is not happening, then there could be a number of issues with different parts of the compactor. For example, the power nut, directional switch, or driver gear. A recycling equipment repair company will be able to inspect and find the cause behind this problem.

3. The Compactor Doesn't Turn On

This is another common issue with your compactor that will require servicing. Sometimes the cause behind this issue is as simple as fixing a power cord or circuit breaker. However, it could also be an issue with the drive motor and directional switch.

4. The Compactor Won't Stop

Once the cycle is complete, your compactor should come to a complete stop. It should not continue running after compacting all the materials inside. However, sometimes the compactor will continue to run even after the session is complete. If this happens, you will want to inspect the compactor’s start switch and the directional switch. If the problem continues, then you should take it in to get inspected.

5. The Compactor Won't Stay On

The commercial trash compactor must stay powered on throughout the whole cycle in order to be completed. If it turns off at any point in the cycle, then it could cause issues as the materials won’t be compacted all the way through. If this occurs, it’s highly recommended to get in contact with a professional compactor repair specialist. These individuals will have the necessary equipment, experience, and tools to repair your compactor in an efficient and timely manner.

Speed-Tech Equipment Can Help!

Speed Tech Equipment is a provider of recycling equipment, based in Hudsonville, Michigan. We sell and service every piece of equipment necessary. Everything from balers to compactors, to Shredders and Conveyors. We also offer recycling equipment parts and expert service throughout Michigan and parts of Indiana and Ohio.

To Learn More Check Out Our Baler & Compactor Services

Types of Trash Compactors

There are many types of trash compactors that businesses use for different reasons. In general, compactors are used when a business generates large amounts of compactable material or has a limited space for the collection of material. Compactors can come in various shapes and sizes depending on their use. Some of the common trash compactors out there are stationary compactors, self-contained compactors, and vertical compactors. Which compactor is best for your business?

Self Contained Compactor

The self contained compactors are designed for wet waste, which makes them a great asset for locations that dispose of large amounts of food. Managing a restaurant, education center or office building that provides food services are all businesses that could benefit from a self contained compactor. These trash compactors have a loading chamber that rangers from 1-2 cubic yards with an attached receiver container that ranges from 10-30 cubic yards.

Once the receiver container is full, the container with compactor attached is picked up, taken away for disposal, and then returned and reconnected. A major application for this type of trash compactor is with large volumes of compactable wet waste.

Advantages of a Self Contained Compactor

These compactors are designed to be liquid tight to prevent leaks. Additionally, there are less odors with self-contained compactors, which is important if it is stored indoors. Rodents and insects will not be able to get to trash when in the container. Lastly, there are many self-contained compactors with a self-cleaning flushing feature of the user’s convenience.

Vertical Compactor

This specific trash compactor is best used when a customer generates a large volume of waste materials and is limited with space for the collection of the materials. The materials that are collected with the vertical compactors are plastic, cardboard, paper, and some wet materials. The compactors are serviced by a front load truck and typically have 6 cubic yard or 8 cubic yard containers.

To load a vertical compactor, you will place the appropriate waste through the front doors and when it is full, use the compactor to press down the garbage to reduce the volume. You can have multiple containers kept on your site which decreases the frequency of your pick-ups.

Advantages of a Vertical Compactor

One obvious advantage to a vertical compactor is its size- they are relatively small and great for limited space. Their small footprint combined with the usefulness of the decreased garbage volume with their functionality of a larger stationary compactor make these a great advantage for your business!

Stationary Compactor

Stationary compactors or Breakaway Compactors include a ground-mounted compactor that is connected to a removable roll-off receiver container for collecting the waste material. It is larger than the vertical compactor and compresses bulky dry materials like plastic and cardboard. This type of compactor is generally used in high-volume waste settings such as hospitals, department stores, restaurants, or warehouses.

Stationary compactors are bolted to the ground, making them a permanent addition to the business. The compactor crushes the waste into the receiver box, one the receiver box is full, the container is hauled to a landfill to be emptied.

Advantages of a Stationary Compactor

This type of compactor is the best choice for businesses that produce large amounts of waste every day. It is larger than a vertical compactor allowing it to hold more waste. It also cuts down on waste volume and number of weekly pickups to empty container.

If you are still not sure which type of trash compactor is best for your business needs, contact us today and we can help find the right one for you!

Check Out Our Current Compactor Inventory for more information!

Refurbished vs. New Equipment- What is Best for Your Business

Are you in the market for some new equipment? We know that making the investment for new equipment is not always feasible exactly when it is needed, not to mention it can also be very challenging to find the right piece of used machinery for your specific needs when the demand is there. Purchasing used machinery is the ideal alternative to buying brand new machinery or equipment, both of which typically come with a pretty hefty price tag. Although looking on the reverse end, purchasing used machinery can mean more maintenance as well as the risk of purchasing something that was not refurbished up to condition and safety standards.

Refurbished Equipment

What is refurbished equipment exactly? It is equipment that has been previously owned, inspected, and restored to a sellable condition. When you find yourself purchasing used machinery you can pocket savings that average 30 percent to 50 percent of the selling price for the same equipment in new condition and saving on the initial depreciation cost right when you walk off the lot.

A big key to successfully purchasing refurbished equipment is double and triple check how the vendor your purchased from defines “refurbished”. Did they dismantle the equipment and replace and parts that might have been too worn out? Did the company go through a thorough testing process after the equipment was reassembled to make sure that everything was working in great condition? Be sure to ask the right questions to the seller before jumping into a new purchase. Another thing to look for is if the vendor you are purchasing from has some experience in serving in your local community. Do they have good reviews online or has someone you know and trust referred them to you? This will give you an idea of their track record and if their products they are selling are good condition and safe for users.

Pros of Purchasing Refurbished Equipment

Purchase equipment at a lower cost

Depreciation Avoided

Holds better value

Get your equipment right when you need it

Enjoy lower insurance costs

Increases flexibility for other avenues where revenue is needed

Availability of equipment- greater selection

Cons of Purchasing Refurbished Equipment

Possible poor condition

Possible subpar safety

High repair costs if something breaks

No warranty

New Equipment

New equipment is just that! The latest and greatest model. The equipment will be more efficient, have all the bells and whistles including all the safety and comfort features. Also, you have a lower risk of breakdowns and repairs. With all of that comes a price, and the price tends to be a very pretty penny. But with that pretty penny comes a peace of mind about the equipment’s history, use, or current state. You won’t have to be worried about starting your machine in the morning, if it’s going to work all day or if it’s safe for your employees to use.

Another key here is to check into the company you are purchasing from. Make sure they are reliable, have been in the industry for some time, and check their reviews! What people say about them will give you great insight on what they’re selling and their customer service.

Pros of Purchasing New Equipment

Purchase the exact model you want that is tailored to your business needs

Repair costs are very low for a longer amount of time

Warranties to cover unexpected costs

Shows company’s professionalism

Enjoy lower insurance costs

Greater technology

Tax advantages

Cons of Purchasing New Equipment

Upfront costs are costly

High depreciation cost upfront

Return on investment

Long wait times to receive equipment- could be damaging to business

All things considered, buying used machinery makes more financial sense, it offers a greater return on investment, and you have access to a greater selection with availability. When purchasing new equipment, you are putting more money into it but you don’t have to worry about repair costs or safety and you’re offered warranties to keep them up to date and reliable for your company. Not to mention the tax advantages that come with it!

Speed-Tech Equipment sells new and refurbished equipment, so whatever you’re looking for- we can help! Before you make a decision on which process is best for your needs, contact us to see how we can help!

View our Collection of what we have in stock for new and refurbished equipment

3 Ways To Know It’s Time To Upgrade Your Equipment

The continued development of equipment over the years has helped many businesses and people perform their jobs and services with increased efficiency, productivity, all the while saving money and manpower. If you are an individual or business that has benefited from the use of various equipment, you know how important it is to keep said equipment and machinery up and running to the best of its ability. But as you know, equipment always endures wear and tear, and there comes a time where maintenance is needed, parts are to be replaced, and upgrades are necessary to continue business as usual. When is the time right for you to upgrade your equipment? How can you know when the line has been crossed and a piece of equipment is no longer worth putting money into repairs, but you will be better off upgrading your old equipment?

When Your Company Outgrows It

One of the best ways to know that it’s time to upgrade your equipment is when your company outgrows it. This is a little bit of a grey area, but when the equipment no longer is serving its purpose it might be time to make the upgrade. This might mean that you have too much work that your equipment cannot keep up, or it could simply be that whatever equipment you have is just too small to keep up with the applications you are using it for. For example, if you have a trash compactor for your business, as you continue to grow your trash compactor will get to a point where you are just producing too much trash to use your compactor efficiently. If that is the case, you will want to consider investing in a larger compactor!

When Your Mechanic Recommends It

Another good way that you can know if the time is approaching to upgrade or replace your equipment is to check in continually with your trusted mechanic during their routine maintenance sessions. An experienced mechanic will many times be able to spot issues or problems before they become actual issues or problems for you. No business wants to experience down time with a machine or piece of equipment that is out of order. A mechanic should be able to help you understand when your equipment is in need of replacement or an upgrade in order to keep your business running properly.

When The Cost of Repairs Outweighs the Increase in Productivity

Our last tip when it comes to knowing when it’s time to upgrade your equipment is a pretty practical one…it’s time to upgrade your equipment when the cost of equipment repairs outweighs the benefits of the piece of equipment. For example, in a very basic sense, if you are a business that owns a cardboard baler in order to simplify your recycling process but your average yearly cost to continue making repairs to the cardboard baler are more than what you are saving in terms of manpower and recycling costs, it’s likely time to make the upgrade for your business.

Unfortunately, everything is not always black and white when it comes to the time to upgrade your equipment – but as a business, it’s important to always be thinking about the ways in which you can continue to grow as well as keep track of the things that might be holding you back.

If you are interested and looking for more information on updating your businesses compactors, balers, loading dock equipment and more, feel free to contact us today. Our experienced staff and team is more than happy to walk you through how an upgrade can help you.

How Does A Trash Compactor Work?

If your business is trying to take care of your environment and reduce your footprint on the earth, you may have considered investing in a trash compactor. Trash compactors are a great way to spark a movement within your company to cut down on waste. Many times there are items that your business is throwing in the trash that can be recycled. This is the first place to begin! When you are more conscious to recycle the items that can be recycled, you automatically will be producing less waste.

Waste by definition is both area that is not used as well as products or material that is eliminated or discarded. When using a regular trash can or dumpster there are many times large amounts of wasted space within it! When you do make the decision to move forward with a trash compactor you will all of the sudden begin to see savings not only in space used within your waste collector, but also on the end of the amount of trash pickups that are required resulting in a savings in gas as well as the amount of emissions caused by the trash pickup.

How Do They Work?

Now how do trash compactors work? If you make the decision to have one on your company property, it’s important that you understand how they work and exactly how you will be creating less waste. First we recommend to go through the manual of your specific compactor and read it entirely so that you understand your specific compactor well. Although all trash compactors and brands can and will be used differently, they all will generally work the same way. Generally speaking, a trash compactor functions with a large “ram” that compresses the trash down. The ram is a metal piece of that sits above the trash. The operator or user will load up the trash compactor with whatever applicable waste there is and once secured, will activate the ram and the compacting will begin. Trash compactors vary in size and ability but there are certain compactors that can and will hold up to one thousand gallons of waste! That’s a lot of trash! There are also various requirements as far as how you are to load and unload your trash compactor along with what items you should put in and in what order! Be sure to check your manufacturers handbook before you start using your compactor.

Things That Should NOT Go Into A Commercial Trash Compactor

Although there are many items that CAN be put into a trash compactor to help your company reduce it’s footprint, there are also items that definitely should NOT go into a trash compactor due to safety measures and other reasons.

Flammable & Explosive Materials
Chemicals
Glass & Wood
Batteries
Liquids
Food waste such as raw meat and fish, grapefruit rinds.

If your compactor is jammed or seems to be malfunctioning, call a professional with experience and knowledge to come and look at your compactor to see what might be the problem.

Things That SHOULD Go Into A Commercial Trash Compactor

There are tons of items that can and should go into your trash compactor to help you reduce your footprint, just be sure to follow your compactors manual in order to operate the machinery in the best way possible for your business and create the least amount of waste possible.

Household Trash including: paper, cans & bottles, plastic containers, wrappings and sweepings.
Metal
Cardboard

If you are looking for a commercial trash compactor, Check out our Inventory!

We have tons of quality used and new trash compactors that we would love to talk to you about. If you have questions about your compactor or are looking for a reputable company that can help you with your current compactor, please contact us today! Our representatives would be happy to talk to you about what needs you might have!

The Benefits Of Preventive Maintenance For Your Compactors & Balers

Machinery provides great advantages to businesses today – increasing productivity and reducing operating costs are just some of the many positive effects that it can have for a business. Although it can produce great returns, owning and operating a business with regularly running machines needs to be strategically thought through. Much like people, engineered objects are not invincible, compactors and balers will break and of course undergo regular wear and tear of use! Have you ever heard the old saying, “if it’s not broke, then don’t fix it?” this phrase is still religiously lived by for some business and machine owners. Baler and compactor preventive maintenance might seem like more work and more costly up front but we are here to tell you that it will create countless benefits for your company in the long haul. What are some of the benefits?

“Preventive maintenance: Maintenance that is regularly performed on a piece of equipment to lessen the likelihood of it failing. It is performed while the equipment is still working so that it does not break down unexpectedly."

Operational Safety

Operational safety should be at the top priority and goal of EVERY business. This means keeping your employees safe by creating a safe work environment, following safety rules, as well as keeping your equipment running safely. As you perform preventive maintenance on your compactors and balers you are taking the steps to regularly check and double check that they are running properly, and they do not have any alarming symptoms that might lead to a break down, or a dangerous situation for any of your employees.

Reduced Maintenance Costs

Any manager, owner, or business professional wants to keep costs down in order to make the most profit possible, right? By implementing baler and compactor preventive maintenance into your business model, it’s extremely likely that you will actually be reducing overall maintenance costs. The time and cost put into routinely checking through your compactors and balers will likely save you from needing to take the time and money to pay for a large broken-down machine. As you routinely check your balers and compactors, you will be replacing parts as they begin to wear, which will not only more than likely save you from a big breakdown where you need to replace multiple parts on top of losing production time!

Decreased Down Time

Decreasing your down time when a machine breaks is crucial to lowering your overall operations cost in the long term picture. Maintaining your balers and compactors regularly will likely result in less unexpected repairs and replacements – and when those unexpected times do come, there’s a bigger chance that the repair will not be as drastic as it could have been if the machine had not been under routine surveillance. That decrease in down time adds up over time not only making your business more efficient, but also more cost effective.

Operations Efficiency

Operations efficiency can not only save you money, but it makes you MORE money. Machines obviously go through normal wear and tear, just like any other tangible object. The great thing about machines though, is that you can replace individual parts based on the wear and tear that they endure. As a compactor and baler gets older and has basic wear and tear, things won’t continue to work as fast and sometimes you will even see a noticeable change in the speed of operation. Replacing parts affecting the speed and productivity will keep up your efficiency while also preventing a breakdown that might leave you in a bad spot.

Extend Machine Life

Extending your machine life can sometimes be as easy as habitually checking your compactors and balers. If one piece of your machine fails or is failing; replacing the one part will likely prevent other parts from failing as a result of the first initial breaking piece. This in turn will begin to extend the life of the individual machine pieces, as well as raising the overall live expectancy of the machine.

Running a compactor and baler in your everyday business operations requires a maintenance plan, in order to maximize your work. Not only do baler and compactor preventive maintenance plans help businesses save money and stay on top of operations, but it also contributes to a safe and secure work environment for your employees which goes a lot further than just making them feel valued – it will create a positive name and reputation for your company as well as the individuals who work there.
So, if you do not practice preventive maintenance on your machines, you now know why it’s so important – but how do you begin to implement a plan after months, years, or decades of running your business the same way…with no routine maintenance? We suggest that you create a team of individuals to be responsible for overseeing the program. A good mix might be a to have a person from production, management, and maintenance. After your team has been formed we suggest that you make a plan of exactly which machines need to be checked when, how they need to be checked & what the best way is for that to happen. For example, you might want to make sure to check Baler A, B, & C’s electrical and hydraulics on the first of every other month because they are your oldest machines, then Compactor D & E every 6 months because they don’t get used quite as often and don’t have quite the same wear and tear as some other machines. If you do not have an experience mechanic on staff to do these checks for you, you can schedule these routine “check-ups” with Speed-Tech Equipment, or your local compactor and baler provider.

Remember, baler and compactor preventive maintenance is a great way to keep your equipment in tip-top shape, and is part of a successful formula to keep your business running the way you want – but it’s not guaranteed to always be 100% successful. Machines are still machines and we cannot always predict when something will break or when/how some sort of external situation will affect equipment in an unforeseen way.

To Learn More About Preventive Maintenance as well as Full Equipment Rebuilds, Installations, and Onsite Repair Services

Contact Speed-Tech Equipment Today!

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Baler or Compactor | Which is right for your company?

A business that handles waste is a business that needs either a baler or compactor.

Using either a baler or compactor will help make your business run easier and reduce waste handling costs. Every company is striving to increase recycling, and having a baler or a compactor is the way to go.

The difficult decision is choosing what one to get. What is the difference between baler or compactor? How do you decide what one to get? What is the best one for your business? Here are the differences to help you choose the best fit for your needs and business.

BALERS

Balers are machines that help pack large amounts of recyclable material into compact and smaller shape, allowing easier storage and shipment. In addition to this, they give companies another source of income. They are grouped into two categories: vertical baler (aka downstroke balers) and horizontal baler. See the difference between vertical and horizontal balers here.

A baler is used to pack mainly recyclable materials such as cardboard, paper, plastics, metal, etc. The materials are then condensed into bales for easy storage and transport. Eventually, these bales are brought to a recycling company for resale and reuse.

COMPACTORS

are used to reduce and compress large volumes of trash into a contained area. It can handle different types of waste to reduce its size and make it easier to handle and transport. There are different kinds of compactors, including food waste compactors, self- cleaning compactors, and polystyrene compactors.

Benefits of a Baler

Provide a tidier, cleaner work space environment
Reduce cost of waste disposal
Create additional earnings, depending on the material and volume of waste
Increase amount recycled
Be an example to others, including customers, that it is necessary to recycle

Benefits of a Compactor

Easier loading and transporting waste
Ideal for bulky waste that needs compacting
Bin tipping option available. This gives a potential reduction of manual handling.
Reduce costs for transport since the bales of the compactor take up less space
Self-cleaning compactors are available
Reduces overall number of trash pickups

Should You Choose a Baler or Compactor for your Business?

With an understanding of both balers and compactors, you can determine what would be best for you. Both compactors and balers are great for saving money, helping the environment, and the transportation and handling of materials.

Speed-Tech Equipment offers a wide range of balers and compactors. Our balers include horizontal balers and vertical balers. Our compactors include stationary compactors, self-contained compactors, and vertical compactors. Need help choosing? Give Speed-Tech Equipment a call at 616-669-2142 or contact us!

At Speed-Tech Equipment, our goal is to help people and businesses recycle and reduce waste by providing the right equipment for the job