Refuse lorries

Steamdrivenandy · 18th December 2020, 06:42

Has anyone else noticed that bin lorries seem to make a unique noise when driven? It sounds like the drive train is always working under some sort of strain and is unlike the noise produced by any other heavy vehicle.

Our bearded collie hates bin lorries and shakes when we have a collection. She also reacts when one drives past to our local farm to collect their waste. The other day we were in the car and there was a bin lorry behind us. We couldn't hear it but the dog started barking and was clearly upset.

So why do they produce such a unique sound? Is it something to do with the hydraulics that presumably power the bin loading and waste compaction? If so why does it run when those activities aren't operating?

Lancpudn · 18th December 2020, 08:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steamdrivenandy

Has anyone else noticed that bin lorries seem to make a unique noise when driven? It sounds like the drive train is always working under some sort of strain and is unlike the noise produced by any other heavy vehicle.

Our bearded collie hates bin lorries and shakes when we have a collection. She also reacts when one drives past to our local farm to collect their waste. The other day we were in the car and there was a bin lorry behind us. We couldn't hear it but the dog started barking and was clearly upset.

So why do they produce such a unique sound? Is it something to do with the hydraulics that presumably power the bin loading and waste compaction? If so why does it run when those activities aren't operating?

Yes hydraulics! They're continually compacting the rubbish to the front. I worked in a engineering welding shop for a short spell & one of the jobs I was on involved a complete refit of a refuse lorry from Liverpool fruit market. The acidic acid from the fresh fruit literally rotted the steel away over time, the top of the gearbox & PTO box were rotted away completely, you could see inside them looking down from the top.

COLVERT · 18th December 2020, 10:53

Modern methods of compaction and no longer Steam Driven Andy.----

See what I did there ???---Lol.

Steamdrivenandy · 18th December 2020, 13:36

A steam driven dust cart would be a wondrous thing.

18th December 2020, 06:42	#1
Steamdrivenandy Avid contributor Thinking on Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Madeley, Staffs Posts: 188 Thanks: 31 Thanked 37 Times in 25 Posts	Refuse lorries Has anyone else noticed that bin lorries seem to make a unique noise when driven? It sounds like the drive train is always working under some sort of strain and is unlike the noise produced by any other heavy vehicle. Our bearded collie hates bin lorries and shakes when we have a collection. She also reacts when one drives past to our local farm to collect their waste. The other day we were in the car and there was a bin lorry behind us. We couldn't hear it but the dog started barking and was clearly upset. So why do they produce such a unique sound? Is it something to do with the hydraulics that presumably power the bin loading and waste compaction? If so why does it run when those activities aren't operating?

18th December 2020, 10:53	#3
COLVERT This is my second home R75 Saloon. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: France/or Devon. Posts: 14,003 Thanks: 3,851 Thanked 2,167 Times in 1,816 Posts	Modern methods of compaction and no longer Steam Driven Andy.---- See what I did there ???---Lol. Last edited by COLVERT; 18th December 2020 at 21:46..

18th December 2020, 13:36	#4
Steamdrivenandy Avid contributor Thinking on Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Madeley, Staffs Posts: 188 Thanks: 31 Thanked 37 Times in 25 Posts	A steam driven dust cart would be a wondrous thing.