Melbourne – 18th December 2018
Australian Made and Leading the Way
Bucher Municipal introduces the next generation of waste collection equipment…
and it's made right here in Australia!
Building on the long and successful history of its industry-leading SPORT (Single Person Operated Refuse Truck) side-loader collection vehicle, Australian refuse, vacuum and street sweeping equipment manufacturer, Bucher Municipal, recently unveiled the next generation of this iconic model at a major waste industry event in Melbourne.
Loaded with the latest features and technology, the Australian designed and built SPORT Gen 6 not only looks set to become the new benchmark in refuse collection vehicle performance, productivity and efficiency, it's also delivering a valuable boost for Australian manufacturing and providing major export opportunities.
Speaking at the launch event, Bucher Municipal Managing Director, David Waldron, said that the SPORT Gen 6 was not only proof that Australian manufacturing is very much alive and well, but that it also provided a clear example of the benefits of taking a 'customer-focused approach' to product development and design.
"We're extremely proud of the new SPORT Gen 6 unit," David Waldron said. "For us it represents much more than just a new model of an existing product. It really is a significant step forward in terms of refuse collection vehicle technology, performance and productivity."
"What's more, it stands as testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Bucher Municipal team – all of whom have worked together and with our many customers to develop and deliver a product which meets - and in many instances, completely exceeds - our customers' needs and expectations," he said.
"Importantly, the fact that this world-class vehicle is designed and built right here in Melbourne, not only provides tangible proof that Australian manufacturing is going strong, it also shows that by focusing on quality products and service, and developing products to meet customers' needs, Australian manufacturers can still compete in a global market," he added.
First released in 1991, the SPORT side-loader quickly became the collection vehicle of choice for councils and waste & recycling companies across Australia, New Zealand and beyond.
Now, after more than 27 years, the SPORT looks set to continue its industry-leading position, thanks to the new Gen 6 model.
Together with an array of new high-tech features - including the Bucher IQ CANBus Control system which provides centralised access to all of the vehicle's operational, control and diagnostic systems via a 12" in-cabin touch screen; and a new high performance multi- camera monitoring system for added safety - the SPORT Gen 6 also incorporates a number of new and updated features to boost productivity and performance.
From a productivity perspective, one of the biggest advantages of the SPORT Gen 6 is the new UG-6 Universal Grab. Specifically designed to collect bins ranging from 60 litres through to 360 litres without any need for adjustment, the UG-6 Grab is also 80mm narrower on both sides than its predecessor, providing easier access between bins that have been placed close together. These features, combined with the UG-6 Grab's outstanding lift-cycle time, can deliver an increase of up to 20% in the number of bins collected per hour – a significant boost in productivity to say the least!
This productivity is further boosted by the new Bucher Extenda Slide, which when combined with the UG-6 Grab, offers Australia's longest bin lifter reach – making it ideal for working around parked cars and cul-de-sacs.
From a performance perspective, features such as the new high-efficiency hydraulic oil tank with reduced oil volume and integrated cooling system for low oil temperature; improved sub-frame, body and tailgate design; and super hard-wearing hopper, constructed from 8mm Creusabro 8000 material, deliver reduced maintenance costs, extended maintenance intervals and a longer working life – providing up to an estimated 35% reduction in parts and maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle.
