Why are garbage trucks so loud?

Question

Everywhere I've ever lived, the city garbage trucks have really loud engines and even louder, squeaky brakes. Of course, I'm sure it's more noticeable because they stop and start every ten feet, and come by early in the morning when I'm trying to sleep, but I've always wondered why they are so loud. Is it just that these trucks are poorly maintained, or is there something specific about the way garbage trucks are built that makes them so much noisier than other large vehicles?

Answer 1

Thats a good question.

Answer 2

They have airbrakes much like big semi trucks but because they are always stopping and backing up you hear them more often, and diesel engines, both are loud but are needed for the heavy loads and fuel economy needed.

Answer 3

need big powerful engines to move dont they because of the weight

Answer 4

GARBAGE     IS     CRUNCHY

The designers of these trucks sat down around a big conference table and decided to offend as many of our senses as possible using these trucks.  They already STINK and are UGLY as h**l due to drippings. So they said why not make em loud and abrasive... and have them come first thing in the morning?  Im sure they taste like S**t too.

Answer 5

Well, they use diesel fuel, which makes them loud.  I guess the city says 'these trucks tow around garbage all day.  Why would they need to be quiet and energy efficient?'  On the bright side, you can always tell that its coming...

Sorry I wasn't much help...

Answer 6

cause its a job no one wants... it has to have downs.

like it smells like c**p and its loud.

:P haha

Answer 7

I have the same problem where I live. I am usually awaken by these trucks by the noise they make. Worse, they usually pick-up garbage early in the morning when everyone still sleeps.

Anyway, most garbage truck uses diesel engines. Diesel engines use compression ignition, a process by which fuel is injected after the air is compressed in the combustion chamber causing the fuel to self ignite. By contrast, a gasoline engine utilizes the Otto cycle, in which fuel and air are mixed before ignition is initiated by a spark plug. Most diesel engines have large pistons, therefore drawing more air and fuel which results in a bigger and more powerful combustion. This is effective in large vehicles such as trucks (including the friendly neighborhood garbage truck), diesel locomotives and SUVs. The combustion pressure in diesel engine cylinder rises intensely and the maximum pressure is extremely high compared with a gasoline engine, because of the differences in the combustion methods. As a result, diesel engines generally produce more noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) than gasoline engines, and this is a major complaint among diesel users (and sleeping people).

And since they usually come to pick-up the garbage when everything else is quiet around us, the NVH becomes amplified because it's the only sound that we hear from a very quiet environment.

Answer 8

Well other than the fact that they have large diesel engines which on their own are loud, they have a large hydraulic arm that lifts the garbage can. Plus they have a big compactor that also makes a lot of noise.

They could most likely be made to be quiet, but that would take time and money.

Answer 9

Thanks. Made me laugh, as ours comes by in another 4 hours! Good question.

Answer 10

they are made that way in order to do just what you described, anoy you when you are sleeping that way everyone knows that the trash man is coming.