Waste Not, Move More: Tipper Repowers with Cat® Reman
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly 300 million tons of municipal solid waste is collected in the U.S. each year. That’s about five pounds of garbage per person every day. Collected trash is taken from the curb to a transfer center, where mobile landfill tippers are packed to maximum capacity. These 50-ton and 65-ton units then head to a landfill to deposit refuse. This cycle continues daily, with these machines able to produce up to 60 tips in a day.
Between the heavy-duty lifting and extremely harsh conditions, these tippers require significant maintenance and repair over the course of their operation. The only problem? A lack of service providers in the industry.
In 2017, Rick Henry saw the opportunity to change that. After working for 13 years as the head of the tipper department for an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Henry established LMR Tipper Services, LLC. The company refurbishes and repowers tippers back to like-new condition. However, Henry required a team to handle the engine work, which is where the Cat® dealer network’s aftermarket support representatives came in.
Remanufacturing Premium Power
Beginning in 2019, Henry began working with Pro-Formance Fuel Injection Service, Inc and Cat dealer Cleveland Brothers to source Cat C7 Reman engines and customize them to fit landfill tipper platform specifications. These Tier 3 engines offer enhanced sustainability without the need for additional components required for higher level standards. Cat Reman products are inspected and tested to strict Caterpillar standards after being manufactured to original specifications, incorporating the latest technology and engineering updates.
Bringing 300 hp and 2220 rpm, the Cat C7 Reman engines were just what was needed for the tipper’s rigorous duty cycle. This cycle requires the unit to run between three and seven minutes at a time, often with full shutoff between cycles.
“These engines not only help our customers save on their costs, but also fit the horsepower needed for these tippers. Having Caterpillar reliability and a nationwide service capability adds to that value,” Henry said.
By working with Pro-Formance and Cleveland Brothers, these engines are backed by a Caterpillar two-year warranty. With clients across the US and units located around the globe, having worldwide Cat dealer support and local service is priceless.
Recover, Recycle, Refurbish
LMR’s landfill tipper refurbishment is extensive, taking between 10 and 12 weeks to complete. Once the old tippers are brought in, they are stripped down and prepped for new steelwork and painting. All new hydraulics are also installed. Finally, the C7 Reman engine is mounted onto a fuel cell then mounted to the hydraulic power unit to complete the repowering process. Unlike other tippers, LMR’s refurbished units offer heat and air conditioning to the cab for increased operator comfort. The end result even saves customers half the cost of a newly manufactured unit while still improving performance, efficiency and quality.
While LMR has seen early success, further growth is on the horizon. “These units can be used in several different solid waste and bulk handling operations where the customer would like to repower an existing platform, so we are looking towards those opportunities,” Henry commented.