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Lexington
TRUCK-A-PALOOZA
– 2020 –
WELCOME TO WEEK 1!
This week, we will learn all about waste collection trucks.
Waste collection trucks and their drivers are an essential part of quality of life in a city. Lexington’s Division of Waste Management is the largest municipal operation in Kentucky. Lexington’s waste collection drivers service over 90,000 homes and 4,000 businesses every week. This week, we’ll learn about some of the trucks and drivers who keep this city going.
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Take a 360 virtual tour around the trucks by clicking and dragging anywhere on the image. Click on a hotspot to see a close-up picture or an action video.
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side loader
Side loaders are the most commonly used household waste collection truck in Lexington.
Drivers use a joystick to operate the robotic arm on the side of the truck. Side loaders are operated by crews of 1 to 2 people.
Explore the inside for the truck from the viewpoint of a driver. Click squares for more information.
You're the driver
Truck fact:
Side loaders are safer and more convenient than other kinds of trucks. The robotic arm does all the heavy lifting and crew members don’t have to get in and out of the truck to collect bins.
Behind the Wheel:
Stephanie Watkins
Stephanie started working in Waste Management a year and three months ago. She has been driving a side loader for most of that time. Before she started working for the city, Stephanie drove a school bus with Fayette County Public Schools.
One of the most challenging things about her job has been learning how to operate the robotic arm. Her favorite part of the job is driving, continuing to train and improve her skills, and the kids that she sees each week in her route! In her free time, Stephanie likes to read and watch movies.
THE REAR LOADER
Take a 360 virtual tour around the trucks by clicking and dragging anywhere on the image. Click on a hotspot to see a close-up picture or an action video.
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REAR
LOADER
- Rear loaders are used to service neighborhoods that side-loaders can’t service. Crew members throw trash bags into the back or load bins onto automated arms on the rear of the truck.
- Rear loaders are operated by crews of 2 to 3 people: the driver, and 1 to 2 groundmen who stand on the back and hop off to collect bins when the truck stops
Explore the inside for the truck from the viewpoint of a driver. Click squares for more information.
You're the driver
Truck fact:
Drivers and groundmen communicate by using a complicated series of hand signals through the mirrors on the truck.
Behind the Wheel:
Toby Mundy
Toby has been working with Waste Management since May of 2018. He’s been driving a rear loader for nine months. Before he started with the city, Toby drove over Kentucky, as well as parts of Ohio and Indiana, for a medical transportation company. Toby says that his favorite part of his job is interacting with the children along his route, who make him feel like a superhero in the community.
THE FRONT LOADER
Take a 360 virtual tour around the trucks by clicking and dragging anywhere on the image. Click on a hotspot to see a close-up picture or an action video.
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front
LOADER
- The front loader collects commercial and industrial waste. Drivers use a joystick to pick up trash or recycling dumpsters using forks located on the front of the truck. Front loaders are operated by one person.
Explore the inside of the truck from the viewpoint of a driver. Click squares for more information.
You're the driver
Truck fact:
The front loader is one of the most difficult waste collection trucks to operate. The operator has to angle the front fork perfectly to securely pick up the dumpster. If the operator doesn’t pick it up securely, the dumpster could fall on top of the cab
Behind the Wheel:
Stephon Brown
Stephon has worked in the division of Waste Management for 18 years. He started with collecting yard waste, and switched to operating the front loader 10 years ago. Before he started with the city, Stephon worked for Pepsi Cola.
One of the challenging parts of operating a front loader is always being careful and aware of his surroundings. Stephon’s favorite part of his job is starting early in the morning and having time to himself. When he’s not working, Stephon enjoys spending time with his sons and coaching.
THE SPLIT BODY
Take a 360 virtual tour around the trucks by clicking and dragging anywhere on the image. Click on a hotspot to see a close-up picture or an action video.
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split
body
- The split body is used by Waste Management to collect waste from the downtown area.
- This truck has a split body so it can hold both trash and recycling at the same time.
Explore the inside of the truck from the viewpoint of a driver. Click squares for more information.
You're the driver
Truck fact:
Split body crews collect waste from downtown twice a day, once in the morning and again in the evening. A morning shift starts at 2 am and ends at 10 am.