Minnesota Trash Co. Claims Natural Gas Trucks Forced its Bankruptcy

The trucks proved an instant hit. Troje said they were the reason he landed a lucrative contract with White Bear Lake, Minn. "The city council wanted a clean, environmentally responsible company," he said.

Then the engines began to fail.

The website for engine maker Cummins Inc. reported that a Pennsylvania company filed suit in 2015 because a new natural-gas engine caused a fire after being driven 3,000 miles.

According to media reports, Cummins recalled 25,000 of the natural-gas engines in 2014, citing a cold-weather problem that resulted in flames shooting out of the exhaust. Cummins did not respond to phone messages and emails.

Troje said he eventually had to replace 13 engines in seven trucks. He said the manufacturer honored its warranties and replaced the engines, but the process often took months. At one point, six of his seven trucks were idled.

"Those engines were pushing rods and pistons right through the side," said Troje. "You would put in an engine, and two weeks later you would do it again."