What is a deflection-based landfill compaction GPS system?
How does it differ from a conventional pass-counting landfill GPS system?
Measurement vs. Assumption:
A deflection-based Landfill Compaction GPS System indicates compaction by tracking the thickness of the layer of waste the operator puts down, and
measuring how that layer moves as you drive over it. A deflection-based system is capable of accurately measuring waste undergoing compaction AND indicating areas that refuse to compact. Spongy or springy material, such as tangled re-rod or sludge, may bounce back after each pass. With a deflection-based system, your operator will be able to see this and make a decision whether or not to expend more effort working that spot. Additionally, there is no need to adjust the software settings if your waste stream changes, since the measurement is valid regardless of what is under the compactor wheels.
A conventional pass-counting landfill compaction GPS system, by contrast,
assumes compaction rather than actually measuring it. A pass-counting system indicates compaction by recording how often the operator passes over the waste, and indicating full compaction once a pass count goal has been met. Once this point is reached, pass count systems will indicate to the operator that the waste is fully compacted, regardless if full compaction
was or was not achieved before or after that pass. For example, a load of dry MSW may require five passes to fully compact, whereas a load of broken concrete C&D material may be so rigid, it is fully compacted after only two passes.
The designers of pass count systems recognize this issue, and to compensate, allow the operator to adjust the pass count goal, with the idea that you can modify it for different waste streams with different compaction requirements. As any landfill manager knows, however, the material coming across the scales in most landfills is anything but consistent. Any fixed pass count goal will be hit-or-miss in terms of compaction efficiency, simply because every load of waste is different.
One landfill manager speaking at a regional conference was so disgusted with the compaction performance of his pass-counting landfill GPS system that he described it as "no better than a five-dollar clicker".
Fuel and Wear Savings:
Deflection-based landfill compaction GPS systems save fuel and machine wear by measuring compaction accurately, allowing the
operator to make intelligent decisions about compactive effort. This information effectively reduces unecessary
passes, because the operator isn't spending any extra time driving over areas that have already reached the practical
point of refusal.
Since pass-counting systems do not measure compaction (they merely assume it), they are incapable of warning an
operator that an area is compacted before their pass count goal is reached. If the goal is set to five passes,
the operator will dutifly make five passes over the waste, even if the work was done after only three. The cost
of this miscalculation in wasted fuel can easily add up load after load, week after week.
Which makes/models of compactors and bulldozers can use the GCS:Density System?
The GCS:Density system works with all compactor makes and models, and many bulldozers as well. The system is modular and will be custom installed on your equipment by GeoLogic technicians as part of the system installation.
Some of our most commonly supported compactor and bulldozer models:
Aljon Advantage 500™, Aljon Advantage 525™, Aljon Advantage 600™.
Bomag 772 RB-2™, Bomag 972 RB-2™, Bomag 1172 RB-2™.
Caterpillar 816F™, Caterpillar 826H™, Caterpillar 836H™, Caterpillar D8T WH™, Caterpillar D9T WH™.
Terex TC400™ and Terex TC550™.
