Windfall: Jaylon’s tarp deployment system

Jaylon’s Tarp Deployment System is helping landfill operators significantly reduce the cost of daily cover.

When Cyclone Marcus hit Darwin in March, the wind reached speeds exceeding 100 kilometres an hour.

Before the onslaught, four tarpaulins were laid onto a landfill with a tarp deployment system (TDS) at Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility in Darwin.

Alan Liebeck, General Manager at landfill equipment distributor Jaylon Pacific, says that when the storm hit, none of the tarps moved.

He says this was thanks to the tarpLOX system on the TDS. The system comprises six cables attached to a standard 32-metres-tarpaulin and acts as ballast. When the weather is sunnier, the system also helps the tarp maintain its shape, eliminating issues such as telescoping during retraction or folding into itself during unrolling.

“With six cables firmly in place, the tarps are capable of withstanding wind speeds of up to 100 kilometres an hour. Extra cables can be easily fitted if required,” Alan adds.

“Our multiple tarp deployment system can cover around 1200 square metres at one time, which is significantly more than leading competitors.”

The tarpaulins act as a method of daily landfill cover, reducing the need for the use of sand or soil to cover the waste. Alan says this translates into savings either by reducing the amount of material they need to purchase and the expense associated with covering the soil.

“The TDS enables a landfill operator to turn daily cover into a one-man operation. By holding onto its shape, one person in a tractor cab can handle the entire operation.

It can be attached to a D4 to D8 class bulldozer and a CAT 826-836 class compactor, avoiding the requirement to have additional machinery onsite. Each TDS comes with a manual on-board control system, in addition to a heavy-duty remote-control unit, so it can be controlled from inside the cab for added safety.

Another feature that can be used in conjunction with the system is a deodorising system, which uses a leading US formulation that is sprayed into the landfill to reduce odours.

COVERING THE COSTS

Jaylon has developed a spreadsheet for its customers to help them understand how much value over time the TDS will provide.

“The customers are able to calculate the costs to their specific landfill and can input their own costs for soil and fuel. This is then compared to the cost of a TDS to calculate how long it will take to make a return on investment,” Alan explains.

“Because every landfill is different, it’s important to track the individual costs. Landfills, like all businesses, need to be able to see a solid cost-benefit analysis to find a cost-effective means of operating their tip face.

“All of our clients to date have had payback period of less than 18 months.”

One of Jaylon’s customers is NSW’s Shoalhaven City Council, which purchased two Jaylon TDS units in February for the Nowra Recycling and Waste Depot and Hukisson Recycling and Waste Depot.

Peter Windley, Shoalhaven City Council’s Waste Operations Coordinator, says the simplicity of the machines makes them easy to operate and maintain.

“We should have purchased one of these years ago,” he says.

At West Nowra, the larger of the two depots, the TDS has saved the council an estimated $1320 a day. The council had needed to spread 170 tonnes of virgin excavated natural material (VENM) a day, with each tonne costing $6 and the machines themselves $100 an hour to run and spread the cover material.

Alan says that these calculations don’t take into account the value the airspace saves, which gives more life to a landfill.

Shoalhaven City Council found that there were additional benefits that came with the TDS.

“Previously, two people were fully engaged stockpiling and spreading material over the landfill,” Peter says.

“Now, they’re able to dedicate more time towards the expanded recycling program that generates additional income streams for the council.”

Peter says the increased flexibility allows the depots to handle late deliveries more efficiently.

Previously, they would have delayed commencement of the soil cover at the end of the day, which meant two machines and their operators would not be able to begin the 90-minute operation to lay down the VENM as landfill cover. Now the operation can be done in 15 minutes with the TDS at a reduced cost.