A South Australian authority proves that a long-term partnership with the right machinery is the key to maximising landfill capacity and profitability.
For the Adelaide Hills Region Waste Management Authority (AHRWMA), choosing a landfill compactor isn’t just about the machine; it’s about a relationship built on trust, reliability, and superior performance.
Handling about 45,000 tonnes of waste annually at its Brinkley landfill, the authority has long relied on Tana compactors, recently adding a new TANA H320 to its fleet.
AHRWMA Operations Manager, Ben Tume says the decision to stick with the brand is driven by three key factors: unparalleled product support, the machine’s reliability, and its exceptional compaction performance.
“Tana’s local support is far superior to anything else,” Ben says. “From my experience, when you’re looking for support, it’s not very often that you can get straight through to the bloke who has these machines in his wheelhouse.”
This level of expertise and accessibility is invaluable, and Ben cites a specific instance where Tana went above and beyond when a component failed.
“They actually floated a replacement machine over to us,” he recounts. In a gesture of commitment, Tana even offered to subtract the rental costs from the purchase price of a new machine.
The reliability of the machines is another crucial advantage in a demanding landfill environment. The authority keeps its compactors for eight years, with the newer model acting as the primary machine while the older one serves as a dedicated backup.
Ben says the old compactors have consistently done “more than 10,000 hours” without needing a single wheel recap, a testament to their durability, as well as their tolerance for South Australia’s hot, dry climate, with no overheating issues.
The TANA H320 is purpose-built for landfill compaction and is the result of long-term product development.
The full-width twin-drum construction, rigid frame and crushing teeth are features that set TANA landfill compactors apart.
High ground clearance allows for easy operation on rough terrain, while a low centre of gravity provides good gradeability. A cabin on the front frame provides full forward visibility, and the touch screen display is a user-friendly interface for operators.
“The operators love them,” Ben says. “They’ve had the opportunity to go and use other machines, but they all come back and say you can’t beat the Tana.
“The vision alone, being able to see the bottom of your blade, is a huge bonus.”
But he says the real game-changer is the compaction.
Ben tracks the authority’s compaction data monthly. His data reveals an impressive average of 0.74 tonnes per cubic metre over a seven-and-a-half-year period, with highs of up to 0.85 tonnes per cubic metre.
He attributes this to Tana’s single big drum design, which he says delivers significantly better ground pressure than a four-wheeled compactor.
“We’re still getting better compaction with a machine that’s essentially nearly 25 per cent lighter,” he says.
“Every cubic metre has a dollar figure attributed to it. The more you can fit in, the more profitable you’re going to be.”
In the end, for Ben and his team, the choice is clear. “The product support, the vision, the compaction… for us, that’s enough.”
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