Purpose-designed compactor sets new pattern in landfill compaction

A new shape is emerging on the UK's landfill sites in the unique profile and compaction feet pattern of the Tana sanitary landfill compactor from Finnish manufacturer, Oy Tanacorp. LAWE reports from the Horton site in Sussex operated by Viridor Waste Management.


The 41 tonne Tana Roller Compactor, which has been operating for several months at the Horton Landfill site near Shoreham in Sussex, operated by Viridor Waste Management Ltd, incorporates several unique design features.

Developed by the Finnish manufacturer, Oy Tanacorp, over 25 years, and operating around the world, the units are purpose-designed for landfill compaction and feature a rigid frame, running on a pair of full width compaction drums. This configuration with central articulation, results in no oscillation, states the manufacturer, and the design of the machine, combined with the pattern and number of the specially designed feet, is stated to provide substantially improved compaction.

The weight range of the Tana machines currently runs from 23 to 41 tonnes, with the 41 tonne unit, the Tana 40F, having been introduced initially into the UK market by sole UK distributor Butler Equipment Sales, the first unit going to Viridor’s Horton site.

Viridor Waste Management is the new name, announced last October for the former Haul Waste company. This new corporate identity marks the merging of the Haul Waste Group (including Haul Waste Disposal, Terry Adams Ltd and Greenhills), with Viridor, turning over approaching £100 million a year, as one of the UK’s top three landfill disposal site operators. The company provides over one million UK households and businesses with a range of waste management services.

Mike Hellings, Managing Director of Viridor Waste Management has said: “Our new corporate identity better reflects the nature of our business as a leading player in the waste industry. As society continues to produce huge quantities of waste material, many would rather keep it out of sight and out of mind. Companies such as ours must look to use increasing proportions of that waste as a valuable resource and find better ways of reprocessing and recycling while offering safe and reliable disposal for that which cannot be recovered.”

The achievement of that latter aim is certainly being assisted by the operation of the Tana compactor at Horton. With an operating weight of 41 tonnes and a stated crushing force of 20 tonnes over a 3,710 mm compaction width, the 40F, using Tana Roller Compaction, is stated to maximise the lifetime of a landfill site, whilst minimising the need for cover soil owing to the well compacted surface.

Designed for compaction

The design and impact of the feet, 200mm high and 100mm wide, and their number – 468 in total on the 41 tonne machine, with 234 on each drum – arranged in groups of four to compact refuse into pockets, play a key role in the performance of the Tana compactor. Adjustable scraper bars keep the drum and crushing feet clean.

The machine is equipped with a 4,950mm wide by 1,950mm high dozer blade.

Powered by a Cummins N14-C475 six-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine, the 40 tonne machine features hydrostatic transmission to each drum. A separate system for each drum gives a stepless speed range from 0 to 4.5 kmph.

The cab is located in the front carriage to provide good visibility over the dozer blade. Rear visibility is enhanced by the steep angle of the engine hood and large rear view mirrors. Control devices for the compactor are combined in two joysticks – one for driving and the other for steering and the dozer blade. Ergonomic design has been applied to the cab with engine noise and vibration minimised. There is a high quality air filtering system with slight pressurisation to eliminate dust.

Attention has been paid to ease of maintenance with access available to the operator to all areas using walk around platforms, without any need to step on the ground.

Operators on the site have reported a positive feedback on the new Tana machine.

At the 30 hectare Horton site there is void space of 3.2 million cubic metres with the remaining lifespan of 11 years. Waste is received from about a 20-mile radius. Total waste input is currently about 200,000 tonnes per annum, about 70% of which is household waste from West Sussex and Brighton and Hove. Waste accepted at the site is compacted with landfill compactors, including the Tana machine, within engineered cells and covered each day by inert material.


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