Refuse truck body manufacturer Heil, part of Environmental Solutions Group (ESG) and Dover, recently launch the Half/Pack LowRider Front Loader.
The LowRider front loader is a next-generation design for commercial and residential applications, the company said. The LowRider is based on a lower-profile DuraPack body that shaves weight and height compared to a standard front-end loader (FEL). It is smoother to operate, faster on route and can be equipped with Heil options that further increase safety and productivity, as well as reduce total cost of collection.
Benefits of the LowRider design include:
- Reduced body height of 12 inches, similar to current automated side loaders (ASLs) or rear loaders
- 4,150 pounds lighter than standard Heil Half/Pack front loaders for better commercial and residential payloads
- Handles all ANSI-compliant dumpsters
- More reliable with less proximity switches, mac valves, air lines or mechanically cushioned cylinders
- When equipped with Curotto-Can system, operators stay in the cab for standard residential collection, and take-all routes, providing additional operator security during COVID-19
- 23% faster dump cycle with Odyssey hydraulic controls/Lightning Cylinders
- Fully configurable with optional Heil Autonomous Lift Option (HALO) joystick for commercial applications
“The Heil Half/Pack LowRider is the logical next step in front loader design,” said Pat Carroll, president of ESG. “With a lower profile, it can go where standard-height front loaders might struggle. This is in addition to the significant weight savings that deliver better payloads for fleet owners servicing both commercial and residential customers.
“The LowRider does all of this while improving safety and productivity, which means providing a lower Total Cost of Collection than other waste collection systems.”
The LowRider’s overall height is 12 inches lower than a standard front loader, and it weighs 4,150 pounds less than standard Heil Half/Pack front loaders, enabling superior payloads and higher productivity than ASLs or FELs that would be limited by height obstructions, Heil maintained. In addition, when operating as a residential front loader, especially when equipped with the Curotto-Can, operators improve safety with eyes-forward route collection. The cart dump height is about 4 feet lower with the Curotto-Can than with most ASLs, so overhead obstructions are reduced.
Eric Evans, vice president of mobile product management, said the idea for the LowRider came from customers who were comfortable with front loaders in their fleet but needed a more flexible solution to address overhead height challenges for commercial and residential routes.
“With HALO, Heil addressed another key ask from our customers and designed something that helps newer drivers become productive sooner,” Evans said. “The HALO option allows operators new to commercial front loaders to complete a full container dump cycle with the press of one button. This isn’t AutoDump at all. HALO allows the operator to select the size of the ANSI container, then merely press and hold the button on the joystick.
“HALO self-levels the container during the dump sequence and delivers the container back to its starting position, removing the risk of cab or windshield damage.”
The LowRider comes standard with Odyssey hydraulic controls and is available in 20-, 23- and 28-yard body sizes. In addition, the LowRider can be configured for HALO, the Curotto-Can, CNrG alternative fuel tailgate and 3rd Eye camera/digital system options.
Visit heil.com for more information.