7 minute read
Celebrating 25 Years of Speedline Side Loaders
Developed 25 years ago by our German subsidiary, Terberg HS (THS), the Speedline was, and is, a solution to changing operational practices and increasing recycling demands. These units require only a single operator, the RCV driver, making them ideal for areas with low population density and longer distances between loading points.
The Speedline range includes a Twin variant, capable of loading two waste fractions without cross-contamination in one cycle. Its drivercentric design ensures operators remain in the cab, enhancing safety and reducing weather exposure. This also saves the time and physical effort associated with getting in and out of the cab.
Urban areas
Speedline is versatile, making it suitable for urban areas with bins close to the curb. The SCOPE model accommodates containers up to 3.2 m³, allowing householders to place their refuse bags in the spacious roadside container.
CWS efficiency
Waste management companies and municipalities often face long driving distances between refuse collection routes and disposal sites. To streamline logistics and reduce costs, the CWS Speedline features a swappable body system. Once full with materials the CWS body is transferred from the Speedline to a ‘standard’ truck with a hook lift for transport to the disposal site. Meanwhile, the specialized Speedline vehicle picks up an empty body to continue refuse collection operations seamlessly.
Personal perspectives on the Speedline
We spoke with Ralf Woyczechowski, Head of Product Development, about the advantages of the Speedline.
“The driver enjoys an ergonomic workstation in the RCV cab, with controls and monitors easily within reach. They operate the side loader with a joystick, engage the lifter with the bin, and the emptying process is performed automatically from a preset pickup height. Safety systems protect the working area of the bin lift, ensuring bystander safety. We also offer independent electrohydraulic systems suitable for installation on electric vehicles. Additionally, digitalization plays a crucial role by recording system data and ensuring sustainable operation. I see side loading as a forward-thinking method for recyclables collection, prioritizing employee health and safety over traditional rear loader systems.”
Product Manager Carsten Viermann offered us his perspective on the Speedline “Before joining THS, I worked at a refuse collection company, where I spearheaded the introduction of single-operator technology. Joining THS in 2015, I transitioned into product management and the development of side and front loaders.
We employ a modular system, allowing for customization by size and shape, offering options for low headroom or high volume –we tailor the bodies to our customer’s specific applications. The Speedline is compatible with diesel, electric, and CNG/LNG chassis, providing versatility in vehicle selection. While our earlier models focused on handling smaller, two-wheeled bins, our range has evolved to include the capability to lift fourwheel and static large volume containers. Lifts adaptations are available for a wide range of bin types and engagement designs to meet diverse customer needs.
Throughout the years, we’ve continuously optimized energy consumption and refined the compaction system to enhance efficiency and performance.
Drivers appreciate the autonomy of controlling their work from the cab. With a significant share of the side loader market in Germany and operations in various countries like France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Czechia, and Colombia, our Speedline range is capturing a strong presence globally. Looking ahead, I anticipate advancements like AI cameras for automated protection of the working area around the bin lift.”
Setting an ambitious strategy for Terberg HS
Ulrich Zschenderlein joined Terberg HS GmbH in July 2023 as Managing Director. Before that he worked for a crane manufacturer.
He has a clear vision for the direction of the company “I think that in my relatively short time with the company I have developed a good understanding of the company and its people, our products and the market, our customers. We are the market and technology leader in the field of single-man-operated systems, we want to maintain and strengthen that position. Our front and side loaders have a strong market position but there is always room for innovation. We recently delivered the 2000th side loader, a real milestone. Electrification is increasingly important to our customers and we want to support their efforts, weight reduction engineering of the body will help offset some of the unladen weight increase due to EV batteries.
Our front and side loaders have a strong market position but there is always room for innovation.
Entering the rear loader market
Most of the refuse collection vehicles sold in Germany are rear loaders, our share of that segment is limited and we want to change that. Olympus bodies fitted with Terberg bin lifts are exceptional products and should appeal to customers looking for a quality alternative to the current leading suppliers in the market. Some operators may prefer our ROTOlympus, featuring a rotating body, a widely used option for organic fractions. Finally, we now offer the ORUS, a super compact vehicle that can reach places inaccessible to larger vehicles.
We plan to fit Olympus bodies and bin lifts onto chassis in Germany starting 2025/2026 in a purpose-built assembly facility, mirroring our colleagues at Terberg Matec Polska, and the facility being built by Terberg Matec Belgium. We hope to inspire greater confidence in the market, demonstrating that we have full control of the product. We are eager to discuss our customers requirements with them, tailoring RCVs to their operations. After all, building strong, long-lasting relationships with customers is what makes Terberg who we are.
International ambitions
At the moment we mostly supply our front and side loaders to the German market. We are confident that these products offer a viable solution for customers in different countries as well. They are solely operated by the driver, making them highly efficient. Additionally, the driver remains in the cab while emptying a bin, eliminating exposure to adverse weather or traffic hazards. Moreover, they are located away from any potential risk of entering the working area of the loading. Our Millennium XXL and Megaline front loaders are efficient solutions for handling larger bins. The popular Speedline side loaders handle a range of bin sizes and are used both in rural areas and city centres.
Some of our Speedline units have been operational in Bogotá, Colombia for a few years now, a major component of winning that contract was that the Speedline provided the perfect solution for the customer’s specific application. Those vehicles have removable CWS bodies which are transported when full to the disposal site by conventional trucks - that’s more efficient when driving a long distance and allows the Speedline to continue working with a new empty body. We also supplied the customer with over a thousand 2.2 cubic metre bins, manufactured by our colleagues in Spain. We are currently working on a tender for vehicles for a similar project in Brazil.
These plans align nicely with the international growth of Terberg Environmental and new market development. We have already welcomed a delegation from the Netherlands at our plant here in Emstek to discuss the circular economy. We have always focussed on the quality of our products and serving our customers in this region, now it’s time to be more ambitious and promote our products further afield.
We will also start digitalising our vehicles in 2024 and install Terberg Connect to optimise our customers’ process logistics and reduce downtime through fast, effective customer service.”
