Regional Hauler Takes Pride in Recent CNG Selection

With eight compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks in service and the addition of three to come this year, regional waste hauler Pride Disposal of Portland, Ore., is taking the next steps to reduce its carbon footprint and fuel costs, in addition to staying on the cutting edge of technology.

“Pride is always working to maintain an environmentally friendly operation through our fleet of trucks and facility. Our technicians are always receiving continuing education to make sure our fleet is maintained at the highest level for day-to-day operations,” says Bill Woody, shop supervisor for Pride Disposal.

The company prides itself in being the first hauler in Washington County, Ore., to commingle recycling and as an early leader in the region with carting recycling—starting in Tigard and Sherwood cities in January 2006.

“All of our trucks have on-board camera systems, on-board computer routing, and we use synthetic fluids in all of our trucks,” says Woody.

As for alternative fuel options, Pride has been using CNG trucks since 2012. Woody says that while there are several benefits to using CNG, including reductions in the company’s carbon footprint and minimizing fuel costs, the alternative fuel has its challenges. And the company is utilizing technology to resolve some of those issues.

“It’s a challenge because this is still not a commonly used fuel system. One challenge with the system is that there is a lack of visibility in the roll-off trucks, because the tanks block the drivers back window,” he says. “We installed an additional camera on the roll-off trucks, which solved this problem. We have also had our own fueling station installed and sometimes that is a struggle because the industry support is not growing at the same pace the consumers are.”

Pride Disposal utilizes the Agility CNG fuel systems, in addition to recently selecting the NGEN Compressed Natural Gas system by McNeilus Truck & Manufacturing Inc. based in Dodge Center, Minn., for its newest fleet of roll-off trucks.

With more than 5,000 vehicles using its NGEN CNG system, McNeilus’ systems are available for any medium- to heavy-duty vehicle. 

“McNeilus engineers have refined and improved their NGEN CNG systems to make them more efficient, safer and easier to maintain,” says Grant Wildgrube, senior project engineer of alternative fuels for McNeilus. “McNeilus’ exclusive CNG Fuel Management System features a control box that simplifies the system by way of a new manifold block that reduces the number of fitting connections and increases reliability.”

The NGEN CNG system also provides continuous protection across the length of each tank against thermal events, compared to the industry standard zone-protection offered by other manufacturers. The quantity of high pressure plumbing and connections are kept to a minimum, eliminating the opportunities for leaks, according to Wildgrube.

Woody says Pride Disposal chose the NGEN CNG system because of McNeilus’ support network. McNeilus aims to provide comprehensive customer support, says Wildgrube. “From their first CNG truck to the decision to power an entire fleet, we offer customers a comprehensive service and support network that’s a one stop shop.”  

“We use cab-over trucks, this system allowed us to locate the tanks behind the cabs, which allowed us to maintain the wheel bases that we prefer on our roll-off chassis,” he says.