JCB Teletruk versatility plays key role in Waste-to-Compost project
A JCB Teletruk is an essential part of operations at Fairfield Materials Management (FMM), Manchester's first commercial compost producer.
Having looked at larger tele-handlers FMM concluded that the JCB Teletruk's smaller dimensions give it the edge when carrying out a variety of operations.
Projects Manager Emma Smith says: "We looked at a number of machines but wanted the flexibility the JCB Teletruk offers. Sometimes we use it like a forklift truck thanks to its compact size, while at other times such as feeding the shredder we need the Teletruk's ability to 'boom out'."
She adds: "The JCB Teletruk is the best machine for our needs and we are extremely satisfied with it. It does every job we need it to do and we save time and money because of its versatility – instead of having two machines we have just one JCB Teletruk performing a variety of jobs."
Operating since 2003 as a social enterprise, Fairfield Materials Management (FMM) provides a sustainable waste management system for Manchester's New Smithfield wholesale fruit and vegetable market by turning waste into compost.
FMM aims to increase composting across Greater Manchester by producing quality local compost, which offers the dual environmental benefits of minimised transportation as well as diverting waste from landfill or incineration. New Smithfield market had previously sent tens of thousands of unsold fruit and vegetables to landfill every year prior to introduction of the composting scheme.
FMM developed and installed this - the UK's first in-situ composting system on a wholesale market - and now has six vertical composting units (VCUs) at the site – creating a capacity of 8500 tonnes a year, which moves the market closer to its goal of zero waste.
To help keep this capacity going, in May 2006 FMM traded in its existing JCB Teletruk for a new three tonnes capacity Teletruk 30D. This model will take 3 tonnes to the full four metre lift height. Also, with its telescopic boom, this Teletruk will reach 1.75 tonnes forward to two metres.
The JCB Teletruk differs from traditional counterbalanced forklifts in that instead of the usual vertical mast, it is equipped with a telescopic boom.
The green waste arrives on FMM's site from local sources where organic waste is split from the rest. Both the green and the organic waste are then shredded for 15 - 30 minutes. The mix then travels up a conveyor and is fed into the top of the VCU.
Material remains in-vessel for 7 days; following this it is stored in maturation bays on site for a further 6 weeks. Regarding the Teletruk on this site, the absence of a mast brings a number of advantages – for example unrestricted forward visibility for significantly improved safety considerations. The main bonus of the boom is in lifting and placing palletised loads quickly and easily across obstructions.
Emma Smith: "We use the JCB Teletruk at the front end of operations, moving pallets and other general loading duties in addition to loading the shredder."
The JCB Teletruk at FMM is equipped with a rotator, which is essential when loading the shredder.
With the help of the JCB Teletruk, Fairfield Materials Management is heading towards its goal of zero waste. Says Emma: "The next step for us is to become the UK's first zero waste wholesale market over the next few months."