The Side Loader Garbage Truck
Side loaders are a powerful, efficient tool for tackling residential routes in densely populated areas. There may be a learning curve in operations, but once drivers master the arm joystick feature, they’re off to the races, picking up thousands of totes per day with ease.
Like all garbage trucks, side loaders are built to last, from their durable body to the powerful sidearm that makes route pick up a breeze.
Frequently Asked Questions About Side Loader Garbage Trucks
What is a side loader garbage truck?
Unlike front loaders, where trash is placed into the front or picked up via a dumpster, or rear loaders where trash is placed in the back of the vehicle, side loaders collect trash on one side of the truck.
Side loaders are mainly used for residential trash routes as they are not made to lift heavy dumpsters or other containers. Rather, automated side loaders are perfect for lifting 50-90 gallon totes.
How does a side loader garbage truck work?
There are two types of side loaders: manual and automated. Manual side loaders operate like a front or rear loader with the hopper located on the side. Workers must place waste or recyclables into the side hopper. Once full, a panel sweeps the trash into the truck body for compaction. Some cities prefer manual side loaders for collecting on both sides of the street at once, but the majority of the industry prefers automated side loaders.
With an automated side loader, a driver-controlled arm reaches out and picks up a tote, then dumps it into the truck rather than having an employee pick up a can and manually tip it into a hopper. There are also automated dual side loaders with arms on each side, but these are rare as they are difficult to operate and leave drivers vulnerable to bumping obstacles on the side of the truck.
Advantages of side loaders
In comparison to rear and front loaders, side loaders have several key capabilities, making them the favorite of the residential trash pickup industry. Benefits include:
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Durability & reliability: All garbage trucks are heavy duty. With the right care and maintenance, the same side loader can be used on the same residential route for years to come.
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One person operation: While a rear loader needs 2-3 people to operate, an automated side loader only needs one person with the skill to operate the mechanical arm. And the arm doesn’t get sick or call off work!
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Touchless: The future of trash pick up is contactless. With an automated side loader, employees are not required to handle trash or touch totes.
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Efficiency: With a rear loader, you can probably pick up 800 cans per day. With a side loader, your team can empty 950 cans per day, making it an extremely efficient option for residential pick up.
Add in large body capacities and the strongest arm in the industry, and you have the most rugged and efficient automated side loaders anywhere.
Hardox® AR450 wear plate steel allows for smartly-designed truck bodies capable of substantial payloads and more durable, long-lasting bodies, without adding additional weight. Easy-to-use, ergonomic in-cab controls are designed with the driver in mind, while easily accessible control systems and components simplify maintenance and repair. Additionally, onboard diagnostics, pack-on-the-go capability and fast cycle times help drivers complete routes more quickly and efficiently.
Our broad line of automated side loaders is designed primarily for residential collection of waste, organics and recyclables. Premier’s side loader garbage trucks are built to take on the most densely populated, demanding residential routes with ease!
How much weight can a side loader arm lift?
An automated side loader arm generally maxes out at around 800 pounds. This may sound like a lot, but a 300 gallon tote filled with bottles can easily break the arm. Avoid expensive repairs by keeping your loads under 800 pounds.
Side loader garbage trucks for sale
Our Premier Ready fleet of premium side loaders includes lightly-used, expertly spec’d and maintained new truck alternatives, detailed to the highest standards. Campaign and warranty issues are already addressed and FET is paid. All our trucks are ready to work.
We recognize the industry demand for touchless waste pick up options, which is why we keep our well-appointed fleet ready to go. We equip all side loader arms with automatic greasing systems, making them as maintenance free as possible, at no cost to you.
Why choose Premier Truck Sales & Rental for your next side loader?
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Lifetime service support: At Premier, you’re a customer for life. Our service department provides support after the sale for as long as you own the vehicle.
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Premium specs: With premium specs, our trucks outlast the competition, making a Premier vehicle an ideal investment for your long-term business goals.
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Cylinder life: All our trucks come with premium cylinders.
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Factory warranty: All trucks come with the balance of a 5-year extended factory warranty with any and all potential issues addressed before use.
We replenish equipment more consistently than the competition, meaning your truck is lightly used with lower miles. Our job is to give you quality equipment, meaning your truck is built as bulletproof as possible.
What are the different types of side loader truck makes?
At Premier, we prefer two chassis brands of side loader trucks: Mack and Autocar. Both options have proven to be workhorses, perfect for hauling high volumes of waste over long city routes and bumpy rural roads. Either option is ideal for a ready to work side loader truck.
Mack side loader garbage trucks
Mack trucks are tried and tested, proven over decades to be strong, rugged and powerful hauling vehicles. They’re long-lasting and reliable with the capacity to handle rough jobs over long periods of time.
The Mack MP8 engine is the basis of the truck’s power. It complies with emissions standards while delivering high levels of power. Additionally, the truck’s suspension system, Camelback, offers an industry standard in durability, increasing the vehicle’s ability to withstand long trips over rough terrain. Click here to browse our available Mack brand side loader garbage trucks.
Autocar side loader garbage trucks
Picking up waste is a full-time job. When your team is on their route all day, day in and day out, driver comfort is of utmost importance. Autocar trucks offer extra space for getting comfortable on long drives and easier access getting in and out of the cab. The larger cab frame is made with all-welded steel designed with strength and safety in mind.
In addition to a strong, XL-sized cab, Autocar trucks offer the same power and durability drivers have come to expect. It’s a truck made by refuse guys, for refuse guys, designed to make pickup easier without sacrificing strength. Click here to browse our available Autocar brand side loader garbage trucks.
What are the different types of side loader truck bodies?
The preferred names in the side loading garbage truck body space are Labrie and Heil. They are different sizes (Labrie side loader truck bodies are 31 cubic yards and Heil side loader truck bodies are 28 cubic yards) with different arms, but have the same chassis and same general application. Selection usually comes down to personal preference and depends on the type of arm with which the operator is accustomed.
Labrie side loader garbage truck bodies
Labrie creates waste pick up vehicles that save time while optimizing durability and lifespan. Construction is simple, yet powerful, creating a body that runs smooth as silk while getting the job done quickly. Labrie truck bodies have increased fuel efficiency and environmental benefits while maintaining a powerful operating system and sidearm that can lift up to 1,000 pounds.
Labrie is known for its efficiency. A larger hopper area means your team spends more time picking up than waiting for the arm to dump. High compaction and fast cycle times mean less downtime after waste leaves the hopper. An integrated joystick-based control system monitors vehicle operations and warns of any upcoming maintenance so you can plan in advance. Warnings also appear while on route, with yellow meaning exercise caution and red meaning you must stop and make a fix at that moment. Click here to browse our available Labrie brand side loader garbage trucks.
Heil side loader garbage truck bodies
There’s a reason so many refuse pick up teams turn to Heil for a job well done. Heil combines the strength of its DuraPack® body with the smooth, high-powered Python® automated side arm. The DuraPack body is made from high tensile strength welded steel with resistance to corrosion. The Python lifts up to 800 pounds using cushioned cylinders that prevent wear and tear over time while maintaining stability and preventing spills. With an 8-second lift cycle, your team saves up to an hour per work day.
Heil truck bodies also feature user friendly joystick cab controls that require only two buttons per tote pick up. Grabber gears on the Python arm cycle up to 1,000,000 times with hardly any weathering. Like Labrie, Heil also features an optimized body weight that improves efficiency without sacrificing power and comes with an integrated system that detects maintenance or operation issues and immediately delivers a notification.
This efficiency, strength and exceptional reach and lift make Heil an excellent option for any team. Click here to browse our available Heil brand side loader garbage trucks.
How much does a side loader cost?
We proudly and transparently list the approximate cost of our vehicles on our website. You can find them in our side loader sales inventory here. However, we do encourage you to call our team and ask about price, which can vary depending on your custom rental or purchase plan. Not every company lists prices, but at Premier, we believe it’s important to be up front and honest with our customers as it lays the foundation for a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship.
Shop Our Entire Inventory
Whether you’re looking for a front loader, roll off truck, rear loader, or side loader, our team specializes in helping you find the right truck for your needs. We work with you every step of the way, offering a variety of financing options, nationwide delivery and post-purchase service.
Our new side loaders are available now. Click here to browse our inventory of READY TO WORK side loader garbage trucks.