Maguire Equipment Inc. provides free consultations, site surveys and waste audits to help you determine which type of compactor, baler or shredder is best for you. The following FAQ is provided to assist you in purchasing, servicing or maintaining a compactor or baler. In most cases a minimum of approximately 24 cubic yards of rubbish is needed before your savings in disposal costs can offset the price of a compactor.
Q - What compaction ratio can I expect?
A. - The average compaction ratio is “about”, “typically”, “usually”, “most of the time” 4 to 1. If you fill it with concrete or telephone books your compaction will suffer but if have light corrugated boxes full of air you will achieve a much higher compaction ratio. There are many factors that influence what you might get:
- Type of Refuse (wet materials are easier to compact than dry; industrial corrugated more difficult than retail corrugated, for example)
Compactor Force (and how long it is applied to the “face” of the material so that the compactor ram can dwell against those materials, a real benefit with Cycon)
- Type/Shape of Container (smooth sides and beveled contours of Marathon’s Octagon Container enhances compaction, emptying)
- Climate (Frozen materials are more difficult to compact than wet refuse)
- Current Disposal Methods (Cartons folded by hand, open containers from which boxes or materials are scavenged, others using your containers for their trash also influence the compaction ratio you might get)
Q. - What size compactor do I need?
A. - You determine the size compactor you need by the size of the largest average object you will be putting into it. Compactors are sized by their clear top opening and charge box capacity. The clear top opening is another name for the size of the opening to which the largest object can be placed - the clear top opening on 2-yard compactors are typically 60-inches wide by 40-inches long. Charge box capacity includes the depth of the chamber, which, when multiplied by the length and width result in the compactor’s size.
Q. - Once I place my order for a compactor how soon can I expect delivery and installation.
A. - We keep a large inventory of equipment is our yard at all times which keeps our delivery and installation times between 2 to 3 weeks. In an emergency we can do it faster. If you have special installation requirements and fabrication needed it may take longer.
Q. - What do I need to provide to make my installation go smoother.
A. - We recommend that your compactor have a concrete pad (5 feet longer than the combined length of compactor and container, 6-inches thick, 3,000 psi, steel reinforced). If your location is semi-permanent we can provide you with steel plate instead of concrete pad. Additionally, you will need to furnish an electrical power disconnect with safety lockout for the compactor to within approximately 10 feet from where you plan to place the units power pack.
Q.- What’s the warranty.
A. - Maguire Equipment offers a 1-year parts and labor warranty.
Q. - If my compactor needs service who should I call?
A. - Call Maguire Equipment
Q. - Can my current hauler provide haulage service for a compactor?
A. - In most cases yes, we have numerous types of compactors that can be serviced by industry standard vehicles.
Q. - What’s the best location for my compactor?
A. - The best location for your compactor depends on a variety of factors. Does, or can the waste or recyclables flow to one central location? Is there enough maneuvering space for the collection truck to service the unit? Is there adequate overhead clearance? Do you want to use an existing dock?
Q. - What type of install is best for me?
A. - The best way to determine the type of install that is best for your facility is to ask yourself how you want to feed the compactor. Do you want to use a steel security chute that can fed through a hole in the wall? Would a small doghouse enclosing the charge chamber with a lockable door be adequate? Do you want to use carts with a cart dumper? Check our PRODUCTS page and investigate the different type of installation pictures to help you decide.
Q. - My company generates a lot of cardboard, what’s the best way to recycle cardboard?
A. - You can use either a compactor or a baler. If you are generating less than 15 tons of cardboard per week a horizontal compactor with detachable container or a vertical baler might be best. The criteria for choosing between the two depends on whether or not you have space for the compactor outside or baler inside. The baler is more labor intensive but you may receive a better return on baled corrugated vice compacted. Compactors are easier to use, there is no need to break down boxes to fit inside bale chamber and compacted corrugated will be outside in the container - no need to store bales out of the weather. You will need to investigate which system offers you the better return, taking into consideration the time and space each system requires.
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