Collecting Milan's Refuse
Page 60
Page 61
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
JN Italy, as in. France, the system of hiring motor services of all classes is fairly generally adopted by municipal authorities. One of the most important concerns undertaking this kind of work is the Servizi Pubbliei Italians. With, the assistance of the Fiat Co.'s industrial-vehicle department, this concern has just evolved a system of domesticrefuse collection and disposal for the city of Milan, and it is of special interest.
The objects aimed at have been rapidity of collection, combined with the elimination of noise and, particularly, of obstruction in narrow treets.
The system consists essentially in the use of mobile collecting " centres " and of special refuse containers. Each mobile " centre " comprises an S.F.A.type 31 lorry carrying .36 containers and pulling two trailers, each of which carries 72 containers, 180 bins in all thus being conveyed.
• When work begins, the unit proceeds to a selected spot in the city, from which it is served by a number of Fiat electric tenders of particularly interesting design. Each of these small and handy electric vehicles carries 18 of the special containers, on a lifting platform.
The cylindrical bins are fitted with rubber covers which greatly reduce noise during the actual work of collection. These covers have another advantage over the hinged type used on some
B42
refuse containers, because the hinge, being the weakest point, frequently breaks, or gives trouble piter a certain period of employment. . Arrangements for 'transferring each load of containers from the tender to the trailer or lorry have been carefully thought out. Each bin on the electric tender rests in steel guides corresponding with similar ones on the upper and
lower decks of the trailer. The tender -runs alongside the trailer, lifts its load automatically to the level of the trailer deck required and in then hitched on. :The complete load is next transferred to the trailer by means of a handoperated winding gear equipped with "chains.
This operation is clearly shown in the accompanying illustrations, for which,
we are indebted to the engineer, M. S. de Capitani. When all the containers are full, the complete outfit proceeds to the refuse destructors, where the bins are autmnatically unloaded and replaced by empties. The appliance is then ready for refuse collection in a, different area. Each container holds approximately 110 litres of _refuse, so that the total load transported on the lorry and the trailers which it hauls is 19,800 litres.
The containers, which are made from high-quality corrugated steel, are, for their size, particularly light, for each weighs only 124 kg., and is thus easy to handle.
By reason of their small overall dimensions the Fiat electric vehicles are particularly suited to the work of col lection in narrow city streets. The length of the machine is 4 m. 75 cm. and the width 1 in. 50 cm. Under load they can maintain an average speed of 18 k.p.h. on the level, and the batteries give them a range of 50 Idiom. per charge.
A roomy, enclosed, two-door cab gives excellent weather protection to ,the driver and his mate, and a similar cab is fitted to the lorry which draws the trailers.
The Milan refuse-collection system has been in operation only a short time, but it is said to be working with remarkable smoothness and efficiency.
,