Compactors Help Your Bottom Line
Outdoor stationary compactors and self-contained compactors help businesses reduce the frequency and expense of waste hauling, as well as the volume of trash taking up space in the landfill.
But, did you know that compactors can be configured in several different ways to fit the exact needs of your business?
Having the right configuration for your industrial compactor can improve safety and optimize employee time related to trash duties. By having the access point of trash removal configured to your building’s specifications, your employees can spend less time disposing of waste, do it without incident, while remaining in or on property.
Before you invest in a money-saving compactor, you will want to make sure that your compactor configuration matches the type of waste, volume of waste, and physical space you have to work with. Understanding compactor configurations is just one step in helping you choose the Harmony outdoor compactor that is right for you. Don’t worry – Harmony is here to help!
We offer free quotes, needs assessments, and when needed, no-obligation site reviews. All of these are part of Harmony sales team’s proven process that ensures you are proposed the right waste or recycling solution for your business, every time! We won’t pressure you into higher-priced equipment that isn’t going to help you achieve your goals. We are going to work with you, using our true partnership approach, to get you the most affordable, but effective machines to reduce waste volume and expense, while improving efficiency.
Understanding Compactor Configuration Types
Ground Fed
A ground fed Harmony C300 hard at work!
A ground fed compactor is one in which waste it placed directly into the charge opening on the compactor from the ground level, and often outside. Depending on where your compactor is located, it usually requires employees to transport waste to the compactor and being able to lift, or deposit it into the compactor. This method of configuration is the most simple and inexpensive, but can also create unnecessary issues relating to time, safety, and efficiency.
Chute Fed
Harmony’s C100 With Side Through The Wall Chute
One of the most common types of compactor set-ups is to have a chute-fed system. This implies that a steel chute is fabricated and attached to the charge opening of the compactor and through an opening in the wall of your building.
Through-the-wall chutes can be used on either stationary or self-contained compactors.
The width of the chute will depend on the size of the waste you need to dispose of and the size of the compactor. It is ideal to not create too long of a chute, so that trash can flow easily with the flow of gravity on a descending pitch to the compactor.
Through-the-wall chute systems can feed into the sides or rear of most compactor types.
Harmony’s C200 With A Chute Fed System
Harmony’s C200 is a great example of a machine that can be ground fed, or chute fed.
Harmony’s VC100 Vertical Outdoor Compactor is unique in that it’s innovative design includes a “turret” style charge opening can be turned in 15 degree increments to allow the chute to be attached from any angle or direction.
This is extremely desirable for people who have narrow or angled waste corrals.
Adding A Hopper
Hoppers are used to allow for larger types of waste and larger volumes of waste to be disposed of quickly. A forklift or large cart is used to dump the waste into the hopper, which provides an additional level of safety for the employee, not having to reach into the charge opening with their arms.
Hoppers come in all shapes and sizes, and can be flared to accept and funnel greater amounts of waste.
Doghouses
A Harmony Compactor with a ground fed doghouse.
Many people want to keep the charge opening of their compactors covered and secure. To do this, they configure them with “doghouses”, or metal enclosures to serve this purpose. Doghouses can come in many shapes and sizes, and be put on various sides of the compactor, depending on specifications. There are side-fed doghouses from the left or right, rear fed doghouses, and angled doghouses with cellar doors.
As with all of Harmony’s compactors, the doors on a doghouse come equipped with safety switches that require the doors to be closed in order for the compactor to operate.
Walk-On Deck and Loading Docks:
A Harmony C200 with a fully enclosed walk-on deck.
Having access to a compactor from a loading dock provides an advantage to those who want to use large carts, forklifts, or other means to dump waste easily into the compactor, without necessarily leaving the premises or going outside. Both types of outdoor compactors can be used with these two types of installations.
Walk-on deck configuration.
Those with walk-on decks can create combinations of configurations, such as a walk-on deck with a rear feed doghouse, a walk-on deck with a flared hopper, or a walk-on deck with an angled hopper.
Custom Compactor Configurations
This C300 uses a through-the-wall rear feed chute.
Circumstances may exist in which clients need an even more customized approach for their compactor configuration. Harmony Enterprises will work with you to design and implement the most effective solution for whatever your needs might be. Our courteous and knowledgeable sales and engineering staffs have years of experience and understand how to get the job done right for every individual.
Be sure to check out this additional great resource to help you with your commercial compactor search:
Contact Harmony Today!
Harmony Enterprises provides waste handling solutions that work for your business. If you need help figuring out what type of compactor and configuration you need, please don’t hesitate to call us at 507-886-6666. When you Contact Us, you will be talking with experienced waste handling professionals based right in our manufacturing facility! Let us help you Experience Harmony today!
