Specialised equipment plays major role in landfill site construction and operations.

Specialised plant and equipment is playing a key role in the construction and operation landfill sites as examples in this month’s special feature illustrate. The feature also includes an update on the forthcoming EC Draft Landfill Directive which is likely to have major implications for landfill operators in the UK.


Early in 1997 waste disposal company Biffa Waste Services decided to buy its own articulated dumptrucks to assist in developing and operating the second phase of its extensive 30-hectare Welford landfill site in Northamptonshire.

Terex articulated truck on landfill operations

Caterpillar 980G loader compactor


Following an evaluation of articulated trucks in the sector the company ordered a pair of 23 tonne capacity Terex 2566Cs for the task. “The Terex 2566Cs were the right size of articulated truck for this site,” said Biffa Waste Services Regional Operations Manager John Byott.



The first Terex truck arrived last September and the second in February this year. Safety is paramount at Welford and rear mounted reversing cameras with matching screens in the cabs, together with flashing reversing lights and flashing beacon, were among the optional extras fitted to Biffa’s Terex 2566Cs.



The Welford landfill site started operating on a former sand and gravel quarry in 1982, accepting a wide variety of inert, semi-inert, domestic, commercial and industrial wastes from Birmingham, London and Northampton. The waste is collected at transfer stations and brought to the site by articulated lorries. Biffa Waste Services has completed and filled the first phase void with 3 million m3 of waste and is currently operating on a second licensed area. This occupies 17.5 hectares and when complete in about eight years time will accommodate a further 2 million m3.



The second phase voids will be divided into four individual and separate cells. The first 400,000 m3 capacity has already been excavated, prepared and is taking waste. The second cell is also ready to take an additional 600,000m3 of waste and Biffa has made a start excavating and preparing the third cell, which is similar in size to the second excavation. The fourth and final cell will be about the same size as the first.



The landfill operator is using the Terex 2566Cs on cell excavation, preparation and progressive restoration of the site. “We’re using a hydraulic excavator to load the Terex articulated trucks with spoil from cell three. To save double handling the 2566Cs are hauling it straight from the excavation and tipping it to restore part of the original site and for part of the capping on the first cell in the second phase,” said Mr Byott.



The capping covering the waste is made up of several layers of material consisting of an initial 300mm compacted topping of sand and silt. This is covered with sheets of heavy duty polyethylene (HDPE) with 750mm overlaps followed by a second 300mm uncompacted layer of sand and silt. A 500mm thick layer of sub-soil follows with a final 250mm layer of topsoil.



The Terex trucks also assist in preparing the base of the cells. After excavation, the base is covered with a 300mm compacted layer of bentonite enriched sand which is topped with a HDPE membrane with welded joints. The membrane is covered with a 500mm thick protection layer of sand to reduce risk of the waste penetrating the sheeting. Filling the cell starts with a one metre thick covering of domestic waste followed by the general waste to the final waste profile which is then covered with capping material the same as for phase one.



“The Terex 2566Cs, working on an approximate 800 metres to l km round trip, have been averaging about five loads/hour hauling around 500m3– 600m3/day on gradients varying from 1:10 to 1:4,” said Mr Byott. On service, he commented: “Service from the dealer Imaco has been very good. We have a service contract with Imaco who carry out all the required maintenance handbook. We’ll run them about 2,000 hours/year and keep them for a minimum of five years.”



Loader compactor for landfill sites



An innovative machine, the Caterpillar 980G loader compactor, is offering versatility on landfill sites around southern England.



Hales Waste Control Ltd, an RMC Group company, has bought four of the machines from Caterpillar dealer, Finning (UK) Ltd. The landfill operator had identified the need for a machine which combined compaction features with the added versatility of a bucket. Finning arranged for Hales Waste’s Landfill Operations Manager, Nick Shutes, to make a factory visit to view and discuss the first production 980G loader compactor. This was followed by a site visit.



The landfill company’s first 980G loader compactor was purchased for the 64-acre Ugley operation, which handles 3,000 tonnes of waste per week, from Essex and Hertfordshire. Three of the machines are currently at work on this site and at Frampton, near Gloucester and at Attlebridge, near Norwich.



Designed to provide landfill customers with what is described as outstanding compaction performance and the option of spreading, loading and dozing waste, the 980G loader compactor uses the power train of the proven Cat 826G compactor and the loading frame of the equally well proven 980G wheeled loader, and offers new approaches in landfill operations. Finning offers the option of two special landfill buckets, to match wheel widths; a 5m3 3,700mm wide bucket to match 1,000mm narrow wheels and a 5.7m3 bucket to match 1,200mm wide wheels.



Hales Waste has signed up for a full R&M service agreement for the 980G loader compactors.


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