Caterpillar’s technology is specifically designed for landfill management. Images: Caterpillar\n\nDaily challenges can come in droves on landfill sites. However, Caterpillar® has the technology to make operations as easy as possible.\n\nOne of the challenges of a landfill is to use limited space to its full potential, while working as efficiently as possible.\n\nModern equipment and management technologies can help squeeze more profit from every tonne of waste being taken in.\n\nAs a leader in the waste management industry, Caterpillar’s technology can aid landfill operators in creating a secure, worry-free jobsite. From enhanced compaction control systems to 3D mapping, Caterpillar technology is designed to give all equipment operators accurate information, enhanced safety on the job site and exceed productivity targets.\n\nIt can also provide landfill managers with vital feedback on airspace use. Instead of tracking airspace through ground surveys, mapping-technology can track compaction progress and effectiveness in near real time.\n\n3D GPS Guidance\n\nThe general rule for landfill slopes is ‘the flatter the better’, according to Bassem Ibrahim, Senior Waste Specialist, ANZP.\n\nLandfill operators can optimise their slopes by using 3D machine guidance systems such as Cat Grade for dozers, which enables compactors to move faster and deliver more tooth penetrations (the number of times the teeth or cleats on a compactor’s wheel or drum engage the waste per day). The more often the teeth penetrate the waste, the more thorough the compaction process.\n\nMaintaining a three-to-one run-to-rise ratio slope (where for every three feet of horizontal travel, the elevation increases by one) will almost double the number of tooth penetrations on a given area compared to working on a five-to-one ratio.\n\nGPS guidance is also useful for measuring depth of fill and tracking surface elevations.\n\nWhile there will always be a need for on-site ground surveys for official reporting, Caterpillar says GPS guidance equipment can reduce the time, effort and safety concerns inherent in manual staking and measurement.\n\nGPS guidance equipment is one feature on Caterpillar equipment, ideal for managing a packed landfill site.\n\nProduction Monitoring\n\nProduction-monitoring technologies gather and analyse equipment and site-generated data on an ongoing basis.\n\nA comprehensive whole-site management system, such as Caterpillar’s VisionLink gives operators timely, accurate information needed to optimise fleet size and machine deployment across a site.\n\nVisionLink can provide everything from whole site overview down to detailed information on individual machine operations enabling operators to identify inefficiencies and in turn address issues that impact use, idle time, repair, maintenance downtime and more.\n\nIt can also help as a guide to purchasing the right machines for operations.\n\n\"As a rule, the more waste received each day, the larger the compaction equipment needs to be and more machines will be required,\" Bassem says.\n\n\"A site receiving less than 500 tonnes-per-day will require lighter-weight compactors, such as the Cat 816 Landfill Compactor which boasts an operational weight about 25,800 kilograms.\n\n\"A larger site which receives up to 750 tonnes per day requires a heavier model, such as the Cat 862K which has an operational weight about 40,800 kilograms.\" \n\nSupport equipment, including, dozers and tracked front-end loaders also needs to be upsized as daily tonnage increases.\n\nDetection and Remote Control Systems\n\nAs well as the operational benefits, modern equipment monitoring technologies can help improve safety across all operations.\n\nUsing Cat Detect technologies, operators can easily keep track of where each piece of equipment is working at all times in order to manage site vehicle and foot traffic to keep people out of harm’s way.\n\nThere are also personnel detection and site safety systems, such as cameras, E-fence and sensors under the Cat Detect banner, that up the ante for worksite safety.\n\nOne system, known as Object Detection, works to give operators a complete picture of other machines, hazardous conditions and personnel around the machine.\n\nThe Cat Command system allows operators to handle tough jobs remotely, either on the machine or in a climate-controlled environment located onsite or many kilometres away.\n\nMachine-based systems, whole-site monitoring technology options and remote control equipment systems are customisable for individual needs.\n\nAs a result, managers can create a safer working environment across their operations, helping to ensure that everyone gets home safely every day.\n\nStandout equipment\n\nBassem says the use of machine and data-based technologies can set a business apart from competitors.\n\nUsing technology to guide, monitor and record machine operations will help managers deliver the highest possible total waste mass volume. Along with maximising operator safety, remote control equipment systems can open the door for hard-to-attract talent such as younger operators or experienced older employees who would otherwise age out of hazardous onsite jobs.\n\nProduction monitoring systems can also provide historical data to demonstrate that the landfill site has been operated in an efficient, safe and effective manner, in turn opening the door for winning more bids and bolstering reputations as responsible waste management providers.

Caterpillar’s boost for landfill profitability

Caterpillar's technology is designed to enhance landfill operations through advanced equipment and management systems, improving efficiency, safety, and profitability for landfill operators.