Scottsdale’s solution is today’s reality.
In the early 1960s, the city of Scottsdale encountered numerous obstacles as its population rapidly expanded. In the Public Works division, the Sanitation department faced significant challenges in meeting the required standards for refuse collection. These challenges included frequent equipment breakdowns, high employee turnover, low wages, on-the-job injuries, and various other issues. As a city in its early stages of development, Scottsdale anticipated sustained population growth for many years to come. City leaders believed the solution was to create a more effective waste collection system. Not realizing the impact of their efforts, their solution made a significant impact on the broader society.
“Ingenuity is the Genesis of Innovation”
The first automated residential refuse loader, was developed in the late sixties by the City of Scottsdale. Interestingly enough, the experimental equipment was developed in-house by a small group of knowledgeable individuals. Their talent, vision, and skillset created a machine with a robotic arm that emptied very large trash receptacles. For each of these individuals, prototype development brought new challenges not yet experienced by current-day knowledge. Problems were numerous, creating many frustrations. Confronted with various roadblocks, the project was a monster. Realizing this fact, the prototype team jokingly called the project Godzilla.
Scottsdale faced additional challenges with the experimental program upon discovering that Western Body & Hoist had been acquired by Maxon Industries. Although they agreed to honor the contracts with Western, the new owners showed little interest in any future involvement with automated loaders. Serious design issues would have to be solved by the City mechanics who, among other modifications, adapted a helicopter-style “joystick” control to operate the arm, which greatly simplified the operator’s job and has become a standard throughout the industry today.
Today the City of Scottsdale can proudly claim the invention of the first automated refuse vehicle, a fact that may not be widely known. This vehicle, known as the “Litter Piggy,” was built on a Lodal chassis and featured an automated side-loader. Over time, the evolution of automated trash collection led to the development of the “Son of Godzilla.”
— Litter Piggy, Godzilla, and Son of Godzilla —
— Classic Refuse Trucks —
— Intelligent Conservation for a Changing Environment —
As the developer of the Little Giant Refuse Vehicle and Portable Dumpster Hauler, I had the privilege of living next to one of the lead mechanics who played a key role in developing these vehicles. His name was John Chase, and his son became my lifelong friend. Mr. Chase’s contribution to the advancement of automated trash collection cannot be overstated, as he introduced a helicopter joystick controller, simplifying robotic functions and successfully implementing sequential control automation.
James Ingham, LGRV LLC IP Development
Vision, Knowledge, Ingenuity… the Catalyst of Innovation! Cultivated by Imagination.
You are currently viewing ⇒ Automation of Residential Refuse Collection.