The City of Valdosta Public Works Department recently purchased a new piece of equipment to improve debris removal from residents’ yards. The new vacuum truck has more operating capacity and storage space, all while requiring fewer operators than previous methods.

 Public Works Superintendent Anthony Musgrove and his team did a copious amount of research before landing on this specific model. “We are always on the search for the latest and greatest equipment solutions. While doing this, we will often travel around to other cities to see what they are using. During one of these visits, we came across this truck and received a demo, and it performed well for our intended purpose,” said Musgrove.

Usually, when the Public Works Department would pick up leaves, they would use a truck with a leaf machine trailer attached. This requires two operators to be present, one outside to rack the leaves up to the tube and one inside the cab to control the device. However, with the new vacuum truck, everything is in one piece instead of two separate units, eliminating the additional worker’s need. The process is safer for the workers as they are no longer right in the middle of all that dust and dirt and sit safely in the cab instead. It is also fully equipped with cameras all around as well as the latest and greatest safety features. Musgrove expresses excitement over the safety features of the vacuum truck by saying, “The old way they are on the side of the road with the trailer, so the possibility for injury is a lot higher. The new truck helps to eliminate that possibility. So it is a safer truck, and it is a little more efficient. I can take that extra man and put him somewhere else to perform other tasks.”

This unit provides the Public Works Department with ten more yards of capacity. It is allowing them to cover more ground quicker and serve their customers a lot faster. For this reason, they are looking into the possibility of getting one more truck like this, not just for the leaves but to also help pick up litter. Highly traveled areas such as near the interstate and even local neighborhoods experience litter being disposed of improperly. The driver of the vacuum truck can see the trash and use the hose to collect it. Musgrove does say that they are still in the beginning process of adjusting to the machine and working all the kinks out but hopes to have it on the road full time soon.