Groot Industries, a hauler that operates in Chicago, will soon incorporate 20 trucks that run on compressed natural gas (CNG) into its fleet. The residential front loaders feature McNeilus bodies mounted on Mack LEU chassis.

The trucks also will come equipped with a fork-mounted carry can that will allow the vehicles to collect residential waste. The driver can disconnect the can, use the forks to pick up commercial containers, reattach the can and continue with the residential route.

“The idea of moving to alterative fuels really appealed to us,” said Brian Curry, Groot’s director of fleet and facilities. “The natural gas engines meet 2010 emission standards without complex exhaust after treatment, deliver similar fuel economy and offer quiet operation. The price of diesel is getting to the point that it’s almost impossible to forecast.”