By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Barton County Landfill operates a Caterpillar 826K Compactor to push and compact trash. Operators routinely clean out debris that wraps around the compactor axles. Failing to do so could cause catastrophic failure to the axle seals and final drives.
Barton County Solid Waste Director Jennifer Hamby told the Barton County Commission last month that it is time to professionally clean the axles.
"Occasionally, debris will get tightly wrapped around the axles or in a spot that the operators are unable to remove it," said Hamby. "The only way to clean out this debris is by having the wheels removed. After recent service on the compactor, it was recommended by Foley's that the wheels be removed and axles cleaned to check and prevent any machine damage."
The Commission approved the axle repair to be done by Foley Equipment in Great Bend for $20,180.11.
Hamby said each wheel on the compactor weighs approximately 7,000 pounds. Each wheel has to be removed by a crane to clean the axles.