Dive summary:
- The hottest and coldest cities in the United States, Phoenix and Fargo, N.D., need their garbage trucks to be outfitted in very different ways to deal with climates and manufactures are becoming increasingly equipped to make those changes.
- Whether in hot or cold climates, the most common parts of the truck manufacturers make changes to are fuel additives, tires, oil, body, driver comfort, maintenance schedule, hydraulic fluids and hoses.
- In colder climates, garbage trucks need thicker steel so it doesn’t snap and break and different fuel mixtures to ensure it remains in liquid form and doesn’t freeze.
From the article:
If viewed side by side, the fleet of garbage trucks rolling down the streets of Fargo, N.D., might look identical to ones collecting waste in Phoenix. But operating a garbage truck in Fargo that was manufactured for Phoenix's extreme heat would significantly hinder its ability to last in the cold.
Fargo and Phoenix are considered among the coldest and hottest cities in the U.S., with average annual temperatures of 41 degrees and 73 degrees, respectively. The trucks hitting the road in Fargo and Phoenix are specifically outfitted with different mechanics that are suited to their extreme climates.
"The manufacturers have come a long way in making these vehicles work a lot better for us," said Allan Erickson, fleet management specialist for the city of Fargo. "The technology has gotten a lot better." ...
