The technological origin of docking garbage trucks

The origin of docking type garbage trucks (also known as box type garbage trucks) can be traced back to the mid-20th century. Its development process is closely related to the maturity of hydraulic technology, the growth of urban garbage treatment demand, and the innovation of environmental sanitation equipment in European and American countries.

1、 Technical origin: The combination of hydraulic systems and mechanized loading and unloading

The core technology of docking garbage trucks - hydraulic docking device - originated from hydraulic transmission technology in the mid-20th century. In 1938, Wood, an American, invented the rear compression garbage truck, and used the hydraulic cylinder for garbage compression for the first time, which laid the foundation for the subsequent docking technology. After World War II, the standardization process of hydraulic components accelerated, and German engineers further applied hydraulic technology to the automated loading and unloading of garbage trucks.

2、 Key breakthrough: Dempster and front loading and unloading garbage trucks

In the mid-1950s, the American Dempster Truck Company introduced front loading and unloading garbage trucks, which became an important milestone in the development of docking garbage trucks. The vehicle is equipped with a robotic arm and hydraulic control system, which can automatically grab and load/unload containers, reducing manpower requirements by 75%.

3、 Function upgrade: Compression station docking and modular design

In the 1960s and 1970s, with the sharp increase in urban waste, the efficiency problem of traditional garbage trucks became prominent. Frontier Truck Systems and other companies in the United States have started developing compression based docking garbage trucks, with the core being the hydraulic docking function with the garbage compression station: after the garbage compression station compresses the garbage into blocks, it is docked with the rear door of the garbage truck through a vertical lifting device, and the garbage is directly pushed into the carriage using a push plate. This design achieves efficient transportation of "one vehicle, multiple stations", reducing waste exposure and secondary pollution.

At the same time, German company Faun launched the Rotopress series, further optimizing the hydraulic docking system. The garbage bin adopts a fully sealed design and is equipped with a hydraulic opening and closing device at the rear, which can accurately connect with the discharge port of the compression station, and the discharge process is fully automated. This technology quickly became popular in Europe and promoted the standardization of box type garbage trucks worldwide.

The origin of docking garbage trucks is the result of the combined action of hydraulic technology, mechanized loading and unloading, and urban management needs. From the post compression garbage truck in the 1930s to the front loading and unloading design in the 1950s, and then to the compressor station docking technology in the 1970s, its development process reflects the transformation of global sanitation equipment from labor-intensive to automated and intelligent. Nowadays, docking garbage trucks have become the core equipment for urban garbage transportation, and their technological innovation is still ongoing. In the future, they will further integrate new energy, Internet of Things and other technologies to provide support for sustainable urban development.