Another Batch of WasteExpo 2019 News and Product Updates

WasteExpo 2019 brings even more news announcements from Mack Trucks, FleetMind Solutions Inc., Waste Harmonics, Autocar Trucks, End of Waste Foundation Inc., Momentum Recycling, Momentum Fuel Technologies, Rush Enterprises Inc., Amrep and AMP Robotics.

Mack Trucks Unveils Battery Electric LR Refuse Model

Mack Trucks unveiled its Mack LR battery electric vehicle (BEV) at WasteExpo 2019. Combining the refuse design of the Mack LR model with a fully electric Mack drivetrain, the demonstration model will begin real-world testing in 2020 in the demanding operations of the City of New York Department of Sanitation (DSNY).

“The Mack LR BEV is the latest example of Mack’s leadership within the refuse and recycling industry,” said Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president of North American sales and marketing, in a statement. “Built on our decades of experience in powertrain innovation, the electric LR delivers a powerful yet quiet, zero-emission solution designed to tackle one of the most demanding applications in one of the largest cities in the world.”

The Mack LR BEV is powered by Mack’s integrated electric powertrain consisting of two 130-kilowatt (kW) motors producing a combined 496 peak horsepower and 4,051 pounds per foot of torque available from zero RPM. Power is sent through a two-speed Mack Powershift transmission and put to the ground by Mack’s proprietary S522R 52,000-pound rear axles. The Mack LR BEV features a copper-colored Bulldog hood ornament, signifying that it’s an electric vehicle.

All of the LR BEV’s accessories, including the hydraulic systems for the Heil DuraPack 5000 body, are electrically driven through 12-, 24- and 600-volt circuits. Four NMC lithium-ion are charged via a 150kW, SAE J1772-compliant charging system.

As one of Mack’s largest customers, DSNY was an “ideal choice” to test the first LR BEV model in a real-world application, noted Mack.

“New York City, and DSNY in particular, is a world leader when it comes to testing the latest technologies to help us reduce our environmental footprint,” said DSNY Deputy Commissioner Rocky DiRico. “We’re proud to be the first Mack customer to test this exciting new technology, and we look forward to continuing to work with Mack throughout this project.”

Even as electromobility technology and supporting infrastructure continues to develop, refuse and recycling collection represents an ideal application for BEVs because of the potential to deliver the most value to customers. Collection vehicles operate on predetermined routes and return home every off shift, helping eliminate concerns about range and finding a location to charge. The frequent starts and stops, which can occur thousands of times per shift, also provide a significant regenerative braking opportunity to recapture energy.

Benefits of the Mack LR BEV include zero emissions and the potential for improved environmental sustainability. In addition, fully electric trucks produce significantly less noise, enabling nighttime operation, a particularly attractive option for refuse operators in urban environments.

Check out the new Mack LR BEV at booth #441.

FleetMind Launches Public Safety Heroes Program

FleetMind Solutions Inc. is launching its Public Safety Heroes program at WasteExpo booth #1973. With a key focus on promoting safety awareness and conscientiousness amongst waste fleet drivers, the Public Safety Heroes program will recognize and reward positive driving behavior with awards and prizes for top drivers.

Designed for FleetMind customers, solid waste management organizations are encouraged to actively participate in the initiative by monitoring their drivers’ performance over a six-month period and nominating a “hero” based on criteria such as best demonstration of road awareness and safety, quick thinking (i.e. actions that avoided an accident and likely saved a life of a pedestrian or fellow motorist), as well as a long and consistent safety record.

“We are excited to launch the Public Safety Heroes program,” said Don Diego Padilla, vice president of sales for FleetMind, in a statement. “With waste truck vehicles accounting for not an insignificant percentage of all vehicle accidents and fatalities, there is a need for a greater push toward safe driving in our industry. FleetMind’s 360-degree camera technology helps drivers to have increased visibility by seeing the road all around them, but that only solves part of the problem when it comes to avoiding accidents. Our FleetLink technology is able to take safety to another level by capturing speeding and other indicators of aggressive driving. Bad driving behaviors are a major contribution to safety issues, and we hope to reinforce driver safety and awareness with this program by bringing in an element of healthy competition as a way to encourage and reward positive driving.”

Safety is an important part of FleetMind’s smart truck solution. Driver behavior can be monitored through the FleetLink Safety Dashboard, FleetLink Map and FleetLink Reports web-based applications, generating alerts and reports if aggressive driving is detected. The technology captures harsh braking, speeding and accidents and automatically records video snippets of the seconds preceding and following the safety incident with time stamps, GPS location and playback availability. Taken together, these applications provide waste fleet managers with the information and proof they need to address safety events with their drivers and provide feedback for improvement.

The Public Safety Heroes program will run from May to October 2019. The winners from each organization will be announced in early November and awarded plaques and $100 gift cards. An overall grand prize draw will be announced in December with a $1,000 grand prize for the top driver across all participating FleetMind customers.

Waste Harmonics Brings Expertise, Famous Rochester, N.Y., Dish to Las Vegas

Calling all foodies! Waste Harmonics—a waste management company that manages waste contracts and third-party vendors—is bringing a popular staple from its hometown of Rochester, N.Y., to WasteExpo: the waste plate. The company is serving up its take on the famous diner-style specialty featuring hamburger, fries, mac salad and other tasty ingredients at booth #4437. Complimentary wine and beer will be on deck as well.

Waste Harmonics develops customized program solutions for its customers to address waste generator expectations and requirements, dealing with single source management of service suppliers, quality of service, reduction of costs, data and reporting analytics, consolidated invoicing and landfill diversion. 

Waste Harmonics said it is unique because of its patent-pending integrated small dumpster, compactor and baler monitoring technology iWaste, which provides a single, secure access point for monitoring equipment and instrument health remotely.

Stop by booth #4437 to try a waste plate and learn more about partnering with Waste Harmonics.

Autocar Trucks Launches New DC-64R Always Up Conventional Truck

Autocar Trucks just launched the Autocar DC-64R, a completely new conventional truck purpose-built from the ground up for severe-duty refuse applications, at booth #3937. Autocar said its guiding mission is to build trucks to be “Always Up,” that is, to stay in service despite the challenges of severe-duty applications. The Autocar DC-64R (the R stands for refuse) brings several notable innovations that make it uniquely suited to refuse hauling.

“The DC-64R is the direct result of the requests, insights, data and guidance we received from many waste haulers across the industry,” said James Johnston, president of Autocar, in a statement. “We could not have engineered a truck this good without all their feedback that resulted in innumerable improvements. We’re grateful for their help and proud to bring to this market a truck that is honestly customer-built.”

“The DC’s cab is totally new and was designed by Autocar from the beginning for exceptional productivity, durability—and especially safety—in the refuse industry,” said Eric Schwartz, managing director of Autocar Trucks, in a statement. “The workspace of the cab maximizes productivity for drivers from the biggest guys to petite women, with everything visible and within easy reach. The cab also easily fits three, so work crews can get to and from their routes comfortably. Our unique raked windshield provides exceptional visibility for safety. And, true to our Always Up mission and Autocar’s legendary toughness, the interior uses authentic materials like a full steel structure inside the dashboard and aluminum sheets as dash panels. Even the interior door handles are aluminum tubes, not plastic. The totally new cab structure is built from a combination of steel, judiciously chosen aluminum components, and corner castings to withstand years of refuse abuse.”

The Autocar DC-64R is the first truck ever built to feature ultra-high-strength 160,000 PSI steel frame rails, 24 percent stronger and lighter than the rails on other trucks on the market, completely eliminating the need for frame liners in nearly all refuse applications. The primary benefit for the waste hauler is a significant weight savings that directly increases effective payload—and therefore, profitability.

“One of the things we’re most proud of—because it will make a big difference in our customers’ business—is our totally upgraded electric system to resist the worst the garbage business can dish out,” added Johnston. “The DC also brings our customers the Autocar Always Up display, with game-changing ‘one-touch diagnostics.’ It actually tells the operator or technician what fault has occurred and shows them how to fix it. It gets trucks back into service and making money faster than anything anyone has had before.”

“Everything about this truck is designed to solve problems our customers have with other trucks and achieve our goal of Always Up,” added Schwartz. “There are so many other innovations, from the engines up to 500 HP that are hundreds of pounds lighter, to a real breakthrough in body integration. This truck is just revolutionary in the ways it will help waste haulers serve their customers and create ROI.”

The company said it has already accepted firm orders for production of the DC-64R at its Birmingham, Ala., factory, starting at the end of this summer.

The DC-64R is the first new conventional truck for the Autocar brand in 31 years and joins the ACX and ACMD cabover trucks and the ACTT terminal tractor, as Autocar’s fourth line. The new truck also represents the rebirth of Autocar’s DC, first introduced by The Autocar Company in 1939 as its premier severe-duty and, revolutionary for the time, diesel-powered work truck.

The DC also is the first of Autocar’s lines to carry the recently announced Autocar bowtie logo, reborn on its 100th birthday.

“We’ve gone back to Autocar’s roots with the logo to symbolize that we are staying true to all the things that made Autocar the gold standard for customer-focused, purpose-built, severe-duty vocational trucks,” noted Johnston. “That will never change. It’s the perfect time to show that we are inspired by the best of our history to build something fantastic for the future.”

Momentum Recycling Uses End of Waste Foundation’s Blockchain Technology

End of Waste Foundation Inc. (EOW) is announcing its first partnership with Momentum Recycling, a glass recycling plant located in Colorado and Utah. With their common goals of creating a zero waste, circular economy, Momentum is implementing End of Waste’s traceability software based on blockchain technology. The EOW Blockchain Waste Traceability Software can track glass waste quantities from bin to new life. (Hauler to materials recovery facility (MRF) to glass processor to manufacturer.) This software ensures quantities are recycled and provides immutable data to increase recycling rates.

Momentum recycles glass from communities all around Colorado including Boulder, Larimer and Denver counties with the goal to have better recycling practices to fight climate change and move communities toward zero waste. Momentum’s presence in Colorado increased the glass recycling rate from 6 percent to 23 percent with the goal to get the rate higher than 50 percent with a collective effort.

“We look forward to working with the End of Waste Foundation and appreciate the innovation they are bringing to the system,” said John Lair, president and CEO of Momentum Recycling, in a statement. “We are great supporters of their vision of a new Distributed Shared Responsibility where contributions provide funds to cover negative costs and increase our recycling rates with investments in new technology. By participating in the End of Waste Foundation Program, Momentum is helping to instill confidence in the entire glass recycling process, from bin to bottle.”

Those who generate waste glass, from individual citizens to large corporations, can have definitive proof that waste glass is being recycled back into bottles in a truly closed loop system, according to EOW. The End of Waste Foundation program helps reduce the cost of recycling glass allowing more to be recycled.

“Our goal is to increase glass recycling rates in Utah and Colorado, states without container deposit laws, to at least 50 percent, and End of Waste Foundation program will be a big boost to those efforts,” said Momentum Recycling.

“We are extremely happy to have Momentum Recycling on board,” said Ionut Georgescu, founder and chief evangelist of End of Waste Foundation, in a statement. “This shows that industry players appreciate the need for trust and transparency in the system and the new model of distributed and shared responsibility that End of Waste Foundation is proposing. We’ll be announcing new partnerships soon, and we look forward to collaborating with more early adopters in the recycling industry and waste management to increase recycling rates across the U.S.”

Momentum Fuel Technologies Unveils New Website with Natural Gas Parts Purchasing Experience

Momentum Fuel Technologies is now offering all-makes natural gas parts for purchase on its website. With a new, easy-to-use parts ordering system on momentumfueltech.com, Momentum said it features not only proprietary compressed natural gas (CNG) system parts but an extensive cross-reference of all major CNG parts manufacturers.

Customers can shop by category or manufacturer, with full-color images to aid in the sourcing process. The site includes robust search functionality, allowing search by product name, number or description. Customers who set up an account can see their full order history and parts recently viewed. For added convenience, all major forms of payment are accepted.

“We are focused on providing solutions to our customers and a convenient online parts purchasing experience is a natural extension of that,” said Mike Zimmerman, general manager of Momentum Fuel Technologies, in a statement. “The comprehensive selection of all-makes parts we offer online is unrivaled in the alternative fuel space and directly addresses the needs of our customers to find and purchase parts quickly and easily.”

In addition to offering the ability to purchase parts online, Momentum’s website has been updated with enhanced content designed to meet customers’ needs, such as valuable information on grants available for the purchase of a new CNG vehicle.

“Momentum’s grant subject matter experts can assist with the grant application process as well,” added Zimmerman. “Other information on Momentum’s website is tailored to customers’ specific mounting needs or industry-specific applications. Customers can also find information on the nationwide network of dealerships that can service Momentum vehicles.”

Momentum’s GreenLync 2.0 enhanced electronics communication system utilizes advanced proprietary technologies to provide valuable real-time information to drivers, fleet managers and technicians to effectively manage, diagnose and service CNG vehicles. GreenLync 2.0 technology can integrate with telematics platforms to help enable fleet managers to understand their vehicle performance and optimize fuel management.

Visit Momentum Fuel Technologies at Booth #1822.

Rush Enterprises Introduces RushCare Parts Connect

Rush Enterprises Inc. is launching RushCare Parts Connect, a new, easy-to-use online parts ordering system that provides customers with the ability to shop for parts for all makes and models of heavy- and medium-duty trucks.

“We are proud to expand our support to customers with RushCare Parts Connect, giving them fast, convenient access to the parts they need, 24/7,” said W.M. “Rusty” Rush, chairman, CEO and president of Rush Enterprises, in a statement. “Because this system has the ability to link to our customers’ full parts and service history, it helps ensure they find the parts they need to complete the job the first time.”

With RushCare Parts Connect, customers have access to hundreds of thousands of in-stock part numbers in Rush Enterprises’ $250 million of parts inventory. Additionally, they have the ability to search millions of genuine OEM and all-makes replacement parts in the most comprehensive database of parts information available. The system provides personalized results based on each customer’s parts and service history with Rush Truck Centers and provides related and alternate parts options with each search.

“RushCare Parts Connect is an extension of the program our parts professionals use to identify parts and availability each time a customer calls,” said Mike Eppes, managing vice president of parts for Rush Enterprises, in a statement. “We’ve worked with our suppliers to provide full-color imagery, VMRS data and specifications, making it easy to navigate and search so our customers can use it to shop for parts wherever and whenever is most convenient for them.”

It takes a few moments to establish an account on rushtruckcenters.com and even faster for existing customers to link their account. When a customer logs in, the system automatically finds the Rush Truck Center connected with the customer account to search for local inventory. Customers can search and filter results by full or partial part numbers and access features and benefits, price and availability. If the needed part isn’t in stock, customers can check inventory at all Rush Truck Center locations across the country. When the part is located, customers can pick it up at their nearest Rush Truck Center or have it delivered or shipped to their home or business.

“We are proud to offer our customers unparalleled reach and scale for parts for their heavy- and medium-duty trucks,” added Eppes. “RushCare Parts Connect is the natural extension of the superior service our trained parts professionals provide each and every day.”

Visit Rush Truck Centers at booth #1822.

Momentum Fuel Technologies Introduces120 DGE Tailgate CNG Fuel System

Momentum Fuel Technologies is offering what it calls the largest capacity tailgate compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system available, a 120 diesel gallon equivalent (DGE) tailgate system. The 120 DGE system provides the longest range in the industry, beneficial for longer rural routes common for refuse fleets.

Momentum’s product line also has expanded to include a front of body fuel system with up to 75 DGE capacity. The front of body system is integrated to the truck body, providing a clean, streamlined appearance and allowing for a tighter wheel base, an important feature for refuse trucks. 

The 120 DGE tailgate system and the 75 DGE front of body system are on display in the E-Z Pack booth #241.

The company also recently launched a roof mount fuel system with 95 DGE capacity, which leverages the previously unused space in its 75 DGE system without enlarging the overall unit size.

“We are always looking for ways to provide innovative solutions to our customers, and the increased capacities in these fuel systems were designed and built to meet the unique needs of the refuse industry,” said Mike Zimmerman, general manager of Momentum Fuel Technologies, in a statement. “With the 95 DGE roof mount, in particular, customers can experience a direct cost savings by getting the range they need without having to mount an additional CNG tank on their truck.”

Momentum also launched a 95 DGE back of cab fuel system. Due to the increased fuel capacity of this unit, drivers and fleet managers have more fuel capacity in the same space. The 95 DGE back of cab fuel system is integrated with Momentum’s fuel management module, so the entire package can be installed faster and requires less frame space.

Visit Momentum Fuel Technologies and see the 95 DGE roof mount system at booth #1822.

Amrep Launches Ultra Heavy-duty Front-end Loader for East Coast, Extreme Service Applications

Amrep, a Wastequip brand, will debut a new ultra-heavy-duty front-end loader (FEL) made from Hardox steel and featuring a corrosion- and rust-resistant undercarriage, to ensure extreme durability in handling heavier loads and standing up to the rigors of the eastern market. 

The new FEL, which offers greater lifting capacity and greater wear capacity, will help round out Amrep’s offerings in the East Coast market, where heavier loads are commonplace. Amrep is the first refuse truck manufacturer using Hardox 450 wear plate 175,000-pounds-per-square-inch-high tensile steel in the entire body shell, including rear door, hopper and body floor and packer wear plate, and currently the only manufacturer offering one-forth-inch Hardox in the hopper floor. 

In addition to durability, the new FEL was designed with easy serviceability and increased productivity in mind. Its heavy-duty, bolt-on 10,000-pound arms, forks, cross shafts and bearing assemblies allow for easier replacement than welded-on styles, while its standard body service hoist allows the chassis frame/underside of the body to be serviced without the need for additional equipment. The unit’s externally mounted valving, pneumatics and electronics offer easy repair access. Its multiplex electrical system reduces excessive wiring harnesses and onboard diagnostics ensure quicker diagnostic times.

The new FEL’s safety features include rear door safety props for servicing, a PTO overspeed cut-out and an Amrep standard fork-over-height 7 miles per hour throttle cut-out that will not allow operators to go over 7 miles per hour with the forks over legal height.

“Amrep introduced this truck to increase its product offerings in eastern states, which have higher allowable payloads requiring greater lifting capacity and greater wear capacity,” said Eric Mattson, Amrep vice president and general manager, in a statement. “However, rather than creating a ‘me-too’ product, Amrep has raised the bar by offering the industry’s first FEL body, with the entire body shell and rear door made from Hardox steel, to ensure longer service life. Most importantly, increasing our East Coast product suite will offer more supplier choices to haulers, giving them a chance to experience Amrep’s high-quality products and unsurpassed personal service first-hand.”

The FEL features an 11-yard hopper with a hydraulic cover and three-stage cross-mounted packing cylinders and full push out ejection. Street and curbside sump clean outs help to channel and drain liquid, keeping it away from chassis and body components, reducing deterioration and wear. 

The new FEL is on display at the Amrep booth #367 at WasteExpo. 

AMP Robotics Launches New AI Guided Dual-robot System for Recyclers

AMP Robotics Corp., a pioneer in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics for the recycling industry, launched its new AMP Cortex dual-robot system (DRS) focused on material recovery in municipal solid waste, electronic waste (e-waste) and construction and demolition (C&D).

The AMP Cortex DRS expands on its existing product line of high-speed recycling robotics guided by the AMP Neuron AI platform and uses two high-performance robots that rapidly sort, pick and place materials at a speed of 160 pieces per minute, creating optimum productivity. AMP Neuron uses computer vision and machine learning to recognize different colors, textures, shapes, sizes and patterns to identify material characteristics. Then, it directs the robots to pick and place the targeted material.

The system can operate 24/7 with continuous high-precision sorting, preventing contaminants in material streams and increasing the overall quality and purity of commodities to be reclaimed. The system is modularly designed to drop into existing facilities without requiring a major retrofit or downtime, enabling customers to quickly benefit from advanced automation.

The design of the two robots opens up new material applications, namely the ability to efficiently process difficult material streams of post-consumer fiber. From sheets of paper to cardboard, sorting fiber is a major challenge for recycling lines, often becoming a contaminant for other recycled commodities. By solving this challenge, AMP’s technology improves the purity of materials to be recycled, while also increasing the recycling rates of post-consumer recycled fiber overall.

“The launch of the AMP Cortex dual-robot system marks another key technology milestone for AMP as we continue to advance the application of AI and robotics for the industry,” said Matanya Horowitz, CEO of AMP, in a statement. “Our latest innovation further improves the economics of recycling by helping waste management companies meet increased quality standards, reduce operational costs and achieve their productivity goals.”

AMP’s latest announcement follows recent press about its partnership with Ryohshin Ltd. to develop two new robotic systems using AMP Neuron AI to recycle C&D materials for the Japanese market. And most recently, Electronic Recyclers International, the nation’s largest e-waste recycler, announced plans for additional installations of the AMP Cortex system in their facilities.

“We are very pleased about how our latest material application helps solve the challenge of recycling fiber products,'' added Horowitz. “Our AI platform continues to adapt and deepen with new material applications proven by what we have recently achieved with C&D and e-waste. As we scale our business, we remain focused on continuous improvement and innovation. The launch of our latest AI robotics system serves as another great example of this.”

Visit AMP Robotics at booth #2554.