Page 15 - Vol40 No3 Sept-Oct2022

ALCOA By Lisa Hood Skinner
Taking Sanitation to the Next Level

A couple months ago,
a jumbo-size Python was
delivered to the City of
Alcoa Sanitation Services
department, and they didn’t
blink an eye in signing for it
and welcoming it to town.
Actually, it was a Heil
DuraPack Python, the city’s
first automated garbage
truck, (or to be more precise,
its first high-compaction
automated side loader.)
Savings in Time and
Manpower
Craig Brown, East
Tennessee Sales rep with
Stringfellow, said a big
advantage of the Python is that only one Left to right: City of Alcoa, Stephen Myers, Sanitation Worker; Hunter Clark, Equipment Operator; Bruce
operator is needed on the truck, instead of Curtis, Sanitation Services Supervisor; Jeff Long, Senior Leadworker; and Craig Brown with Stringfellow.
the previous traditional configuration of a
driver and a person standing on the back Features of the Python include: dumping during the pack cycle to
manually working the rear loader. • One of the fastest lift cycle times in prevent the operator from having to
Bruce Curtis, Sanitation Services the refuse industry, estimated to save wait on the packer panel to finish the
Supervisor, City of Alcoa, said the new enough time on routes that can equate pack cycle before dumping another cart.
modernized truck allows his department to fiscal savings of more than $15,000 Twin-packing cylinders deliver larger
to more efficiently serve Alcoa residents in per truck every year payloads, equaling fewer trips to the
several ways. • A patented lift arm with an eight- disposal site.
“For one thing, the automated truck second lift cycle that can save up to four • The Heil® in-cab operated tailgate
is quicker, and it allows us to utilize our seconds per stop, or up to one hour locking system keeps payloads secure
personnel better,” he said, adding that it per day. Able to lift up to 800 pounds, and enables the operator to unlock
frees up more manpower to perform other the automated Python lift arm features and open the tailgate to discharge the
needed functions throughout the city. cushioned cylinders that minimize payload from the safety and comfort of
Curtis said the city still uses rear loaders wear and tear on the lift arm and the the cab. Reflective indicator tags, visible
for alleyways and hard-to-access areas. chassis. Additionally, the arm can reach from the cab’s mirrors, confirm when
Overall, though, he said the new truck’s up to nine feet, with a lift geometry the the tailgate is sealed.
speed and efficiency is so impressive, it enables the arm to consistently return Operational training was done shortly
has cut the route time “in half, again, carts with the lids closed. after the truck’s delivery, with additional
allowing the best usage of personnel.” • A follower panel enables continuous technical training for the city’s mechanics.

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