Journal of Science and Technology, Vol. 31, No. 2 (2011), pp 135-141 135
© 2011 Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
TECHNICAL NOTE
KINEMATIC DESIGN OF LIFT-TIPPING MECHANISM FOR
SMALL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION TRUCK
Y.A.K. Fiagbe.,1 M. N. Sackey1., M.Y. Mensah.,2 and E.E.K. Agbeko1
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
2
Department of Chemical Engineering, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
ABSTRACT
A number of small waste collection trucks such as tricycles are in use in a number of developing
countries. The use of such technology has been popular in a country like Ghana. This paper
presents a design of lift-tipping mechanism for small solid waste collection trucks. A five bar
mechanism is developed with one degree of freedom. The mechanism is modelled and tested us-
ing Solid Edge software. Results of the system show that a height of 70% of the length of the
lifting bar can be attained and a tilt angle more than 40o could be achieved. The actuation of the
mechanism could be achieved by employing power screw, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, and
rack and pinion combinations. This mechanism will improve the operation of the collection
truck.
Keywords: Lift-tipping, solid waste, tricycle truck, kinematic design
INTRODUCTION later into collection bin that are made available
Waste management in developing countries has at community dumping sites. A close look at
been a major challenge for municipalities. The the mode of operation of these small tricycle
municipal waste management in Accra, for truck revealed that its use is cumbersome and
example, is discriminatory between the urban involves much labour. Fig. 1 is an illustration
poor and the rich (Boadi and Kuitunen, 2003). of the current mode of operation of the waste
The municipalities usually sub contract the collection truck. The waste is initially dump on
waste collection components of the manage- the ground for it to be collected and put into the
ment system. The challenges of the waste col- disposal container available. This system of
lection due to improper planning of communi- operation made the waste collection method
ties lead to the introduction and use of small unhygienic and exposed the operator to some
tricycle truck. The use of these small trucks in kind of health hazard.
solid waste collection is increasingly becoming
popular and very instrumental in waste man- This paper presents a kinematic design of a
agement chain in developing countries. How- mechanism that could aid the operation of the
ever, the mode of operation of these small small solid waste collection trucks. Fig. 2 is an
trucks are very much limited to dumping the illustration of the operational concept of the
waste onto the ground or floor to be collected truck with proposed mechanism.
Journal of Science and Technology © KNUST August 2011
, 136 Fiagbe et al.
Tricycle with
collection bin
Waste
Co Disposal Container
llec
ti on
b in
Fig. 1: Illustration of current solid waste truck operation
Waste
Co
llec
ti on
b in
Tricycle with
collection bin
Disposal Container
Fig. 2: Illustration of operational concept with lift-tipping mechanism
In operation, the mechanism is expected to lift output is dependent on the available facility
to a desired height and tilt the bin in order to used by the waste collection company (that is,
empty it into available waste container directly. the height of receiving container). The second
Thus, desired output or performance of the desired output is mainly dependent on physi-
mechanism is of two fold (1) lifting to a desired cal properties of the solid waste being handled.
height and (2) tilting through some desired an- Glancey and Hoffman (1996) gave the maxi-
gle. The actual requirement to attain the desired mum friction coefficient of Municipal Solid
Journal of Science and Technology © KNUST August 2011
© 2011 Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)
TECHNICAL NOTE
KINEMATIC DESIGN OF LIFT-TIPPING MECHANISM FOR
SMALL SOLID WASTE COLLECTION TRUCK
Y.A.K. Fiagbe.,1 M. N. Sackey1., M.Y. Mensah.,2 and E.E.K. Agbeko1
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
2
Department of Chemical Engineering, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
ABSTRACT
A number of small waste collection trucks such as tricycles are in use in a number of developing
countries. The use of such technology has been popular in a country like Ghana. This paper
presents a design of lift-tipping mechanism for small solid waste collection trucks. A five bar
mechanism is developed with one degree of freedom. The mechanism is modelled and tested us-
ing Solid Edge software. Results of the system show that a height of 70% of the length of the
lifting bar can be attained and a tilt angle more than 40o could be achieved. The actuation of the
mechanism could be achieved by employing power screw, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators, and
rack and pinion combinations. This mechanism will improve the operation of the collection
truck.
Keywords: Lift-tipping, solid waste, tricycle truck, kinematic design
INTRODUCTION later into collection bin that are made available
Waste management in developing countries has at community dumping sites. A close look at
been a major challenge for municipalities. The the mode of operation of these small tricycle
municipal waste management in Accra, for truck revealed that its use is cumbersome and
example, is discriminatory between the urban involves much labour. Fig. 1 is an illustration
poor and the rich (Boadi and Kuitunen, 2003). of the current mode of operation of the waste
The municipalities usually sub contract the collection truck. The waste is initially dump on
waste collection components of the manage- the ground for it to be collected and put into the
ment system. The challenges of the waste col- disposal container available. This system of
lection due to improper planning of communi- operation made the waste collection method
ties lead to the introduction and use of small unhygienic and exposed the operator to some
tricycle truck. The use of these small trucks in kind of health hazard.
solid waste collection is increasingly becoming
popular and very instrumental in waste man- This paper presents a kinematic design of a
agement chain in developing countries. How- mechanism that could aid the operation of the
ever, the mode of operation of these small small solid waste collection trucks. Fig. 2 is an
trucks are very much limited to dumping the illustration of the operational concept of the
waste onto the ground or floor to be collected truck with proposed mechanism.
Journal of Science and Technology © KNUST August 2011
, 136 Fiagbe et al.
Tricycle with
collection bin
Waste
Co Disposal Container
llec
ti on
b in
Fig. 1: Illustration of current solid waste truck operation
Waste
Co
llec
ti on
b in
Tricycle with
collection bin
Disposal Container
Fig. 2: Illustration of operational concept with lift-tipping mechanism
In operation, the mechanism is expected to lift output is dependent on the available facility
to a desired height and tilt the bin in order to used by the waste collection company (that is,
empty it into available waste container directly. the height of receiving container). The second
Thus, desired output or performance of the desired output is mainly dependent on physi-
mechanism is of two fold (1) lifting to a desired cal properties of the solid waste being handled.
height and (2) tilting through some desired an- Glancey and Hoffman (1996) gave the maxi-
gle. The actual requirement to attain the desired mum friction coefficient of Municipal Solid
Journal of Science and Technology © KNUST August 2011
