Camden County Solid Waste Department Upgrades Komatsu Equipment To Increase Landfill Management Efficiency

The Camden County Solid Waste Department has provided waste management services in Georgia for the past 32 years by operating the Camden County landfill. Originally developed on the grounds of a former paper-mill landfill in southwestern Camden County, the landfill has evolved significantly since 1992, and it now includes both municipal solid waste (MSW) and construction and demolition (C&D) waste disposal facilities that adhere to stringent environmental regulations.

Operations Manager Cyrus Roberts elaborated on the landfill’s operational history.

“I’ve been here since the facility opened its gates and have seen how far the operations have come since the beginning,” Roberts reflected. “We initially operated another site for about 13 years before moving to our current spot. Now, we handle waste from local communities as well as out-of-county sources, including construction debris from Florida.”

The Camden County Solid Waste Department receives biannual inspections and conducts rigorous groundwater and well monitoring to ensure compliance with environmental protection standards. The landfill’s cells are designed to handle various types of waste and prevent contamination of the surrounding environment.

“We have eight cells now, with each one engineered to meet state and federal environmental standards,” Roberts explained. “This setup allows us to manage waste efficiently and safely.”

With a knowledgeable and organized staff, including Office Manager Krystin Miller, and a customer-focused approach, the Camden County landfill has built a reputation as a reliable and efficient waste management facility. It continues to thrive due to its competitive pricing and strategic location near Highway 110, making it a practical choice for local residents and businesses from surrounding areas.

“Our goal is to provide a service that meets the needs of our community and beyond,” stated Campbell Smith, Director of Solid Waste. “We are committed to maintaining high standards and offering a dependable option for waste disposal.”

Adding a Komatsu D65PX-18 WH dozer

To more efficiently manage the landfill, the Camden County Solid Waste Department is committed to upgrading its aging equipment. Beginning with the introduction of a Komatsu D65PX-18 WH dozer, the department plans to rotate in new equipment and reduce the total number of dozers required to operate the landfill.

“We were in a situation where our older dozers were hitting the 10,000-hour mark,” said Smith. “Komatsu equipment has helped improve our efficiency and reduce maintenance costs, thanks to the design and reliability of the D65.”

Operator Andre Norton highlighted the benefits of the new machinery.

“The Komatsu D65 dozer is powerful and efficient,” Norton explained. “It can push more trash than our previous models, and its design helps prevent debris from catching in areas that a standard dozer design is susceptible to. This makes it much easier to manage the daily waste flow.”

The Komatsu D65PX-18 WH dozer is equipped with a waste package that includes front and rear striker bars, track shoe holes, an A/C condenser that is mounted to the roof, an auto reversing fan, and a trash rack that helps keep the tracks clear of debris like mattresses and other bulky items.

“The bars above the tracks and on the front end make a big difference,” stated Roberts. “They help shed trash and keep the tracks clear, which means less downtime and smoother operations. The track shoe holes also reduce track compaction and make it easier for debris to pass through without getting stuck.”

The additional technology integrated into the dozer, such as the automatic pin and bushing rotation, also plays a crucial role in maintaining efficiency.

“In our previous dozers, we had to manually rotate the pins and bushings every 2,000 hours, which was costly and time-consuming,” Smith noted. “The Komatsu dozer’s automatic system doubles the life of the undercarriage compared to our competitive brand dozers, which is a significant improvement.”

Important partnership

Another crucial factor in the landfill’s improved efficiency is the Camden County Solid Waste Department’s strong relationship with its distributor, Linder Industrial Machinery Company.

“One thing I really like about Linder is that it has a dedicated waste division, which means we work with people who understand our industry’s specific needs,” Smith commented. “Their experience and expertise make a big difference in our operations.”

Linder provides the landfill with vital support, especially during critical periods. Tom Bauers, Vice President of Linder’s Waste Division, played a key role in facilitating this important partnership.

“Tom and his team at Linder have been fantastic,” Smith declared. “When we were down to one dozer, Tom suggested we try out a demo unit. He brought us the D65, and we loved it. The timing couldn’t have been better because our remaining dozer failed. Tom worked with us on a rental agreement for the D65, and that kept us operational during a particularly busy time when we were experiencing high-tonnage days. Linder has really bent over backwards to help us and ensure we were up to speed with the new machine.”

After several months of renting the dozer, the Camden County Solid Waste Department purchased the machine through a Rental Purchase Option (RPO) agreement.

“Linder worked with us to apply some of the rental costs toward the purchase, which was a huge help,” noted Smith. “The support through Komatsu Financial made the entire process seamless.”

Landfill lifespan

Linder’s support and the Komatsu dozer have not only ensured smooth operations today but also bolstered the Camden County Solid Waste Department’s plans for the future, which involve expanding the landfill’s capacity to meet growing demand and maintain high service standards.

“We recently finished building a new cell at the C&D site, giving us over 90 years of capacity there,” said Smith. “We’re getting tight on space at the MSW site and are about to break ground on a new cell. This expansion, along with our planned vertical and horizontal expansions, will sustain our operations for decades to come.”

In addition to the physical expansion, the Camden County Solid Waste Department is reorganizing the structure of its facilities. By consolidating the entrances and scaling operations efficiently, the Camden County Solid Waste Department aims to streamline its processes and enhance its service delivery to meet the needs of the community well into the future.