What is a Skip Loader Garbage Truck?

I. Product Overview

The Skip Loader Garbage Truck is a highly efficient and intelligent sanitation vehicle designed for the collection, lifting, transportation, and unloading of solid waste. It features a compact structure that integrates a chassis, boom, boom cylinder, lifting chain, support legs, base plate, and a multi-way reversing valve.

This vehicle is capable of lifting both the garbage and its container from underground or roadside bins directly onto the truck body, ensuring quick and clean waste transfer. Its advanced hydraulic lifting system reduces labor intensity, improves working efficiency, and supports modern urban waste management operations.

Currently, this skip loader system is one of the most widely used garbage collection methods globally — allowing one truck to serve multiple bins, which dramatically lowers operational costs, reduces the number of vehicles required, and minimizes space usage in crowded city environments.

II. Structural Composition of the Skip Loader Garbage Truck

1. Base Plate

The base plate is the foundation of the truck’s working system. Constructed from high-strength channel steel and thick steel plates, it is mounted to the chassis through a subframe. Its rigid design supports the garbage bin and the entire lifting mechanism, ensuring stability and load-bearing safety during high-frequency operations.

2. Boom System

The boom adopts a box-shaped welded steel structure to provide maximum strength and resistance to torsion. Driven by a hydraulic boom cylinder, it enables the bin to be lifted, rotated, and unloaded smoothly. The precision-engineered linkage ensures synchronized movement and excellent operational reliability.

3. Hydraulic System

The vehicle’s hydraulic circuit powers the boom, lifting chains, and support legs through a multi-way reversing valve. The Power Take-Off (PTO) system connects directly to the vehicle’s engine, supplying strong and stable power output. The hydraulic system can be operated manually or electronically, ensuring flexibility for different working conditions.

4. Support Legs

Made from welded steel plates with a box-type design, the support legs provide stability during lifting or dumping operations. Each leg is controlled by an independent support leg cylinder, ensuring safety even on uneven ground or sloped roads.

III. Working Principle and Operating Steps

Step 1. Push the outrigger operating handle to the extended position to extend the support legs, ensuring the vehicle is stable and safe.

Step 2. Push the boom operating handle to the extended position. The boom cylinder extends, and the boom lifts the trash container via the lifting chain and rotates the hinge axis until the container is placed on the ground (see figure):

Step 3. Once the trash container is stable, remove the lifting chain and attach it to the chain lug on the boom. Pull the boom cylinder to the retracted position. Once the boom cylinder is retracted, the boom returns to its original position. Then, pull the outrigger cylinder to the stowed position to retract the outriggers (see figure):

After lowering the trash container, release the power take-off, and the vehicle is ready for transport.

Step 4. Before lifting the trash bin, attach the power take-off (PTO) when the vehicle reaches 6 standard air pressure. Adjust the vehicle to the desired position and push the outrigger operating handles to the extended position to extend the support legs. Ensure the vehicle is stable and safe. (See the figure:)

Step 5. Push the boom operating handle to the extended position. When the boom is rotated to the desired position, hook the lifting chain onto the lifting lugs of the trash bin. (See the figure:)

Step 6. Pull the boom operating handle to the retracted position. The boom will then lift the trash bin onto the swing arm base plate using the lifting chain. (See the figure:)

Step 7. Pull the outrigger operating handles to the stowed position to retract the support legs. Once the trash bin is lifted, release the PTO and the vehicle is ready for transport. 

Step 8. When the vehicle reaches 6 standard air pressures, attach the power take-off (PTO). Push the outrigger operating handles to the extended position to extend the support legs, ensuring the vehicle is stable and safe. Attach the dump chain to the dump hooks on the garbage bin (see figure):

Step 9. Push the boom operating handle to the extended position, allowing the boom to pull the garbage bin through the lifting and dump chains to unload the garbage (see figure):

Step 10. Pull the boom operating handle to the retracted position, placing the unloaded bin back on the swing arm base. Retract the support legs and release the PTO. The garbage is unloaded and the vehicle is ready for transport.

IV. Product Features and Advantages

Ergonomic & Easy to Operate
The design follows user-friendly principles — intuitive controls allow sanitation workers to operate the truck safely and efficiently after minimal training.

Durable Construction
All structural components are made from high-tensile steel with anti-corrosion treatment, providing superior durability under harsh weather and waste-handling conditions.

Efficient Hydraulic Power
The advanced hydraulic control system ensures smooth and stable lifting motion, preventing noise, vibration, and oil leakage.

Multi-Bin Operation Capability
A single skip loader can service multiple garbage bins in different areas, greatly reducing the fleet size and optimizing transportation routes.

Eco-Friendly Waste Handling
The closed waste collection and transport design minimize odor leakage, spillage, and secondary pollution, aligning with modern environmental protection standards.

Flexible Configurations
Compatible with various chassis models from brands like ISUZU, HOWO, Dongfeng, or Foton. Customizable in capacity, arm length, hydraulic system type, and control method.

Safety and Stability
Equipped with anti-overturn protection, interlock devices, and hydraulic balancing valves to ensure safe lifting operations even in demanding environments.

V. Application Scenarios

The Skip Loader Garbage Truck is ideal for a wide range of urban and industrial waste management tasks, including:

Municipal waste collection in residential communities, parks, and downtown areas

Industrial and construction waste handling

Underground or semi-underground bin systems

Large commercial complexes, schools, hospitals, and logistics parks

Recycling collection and transfer operations

Its high adaptability makes it an excellent choice for both municipal sanitation departments and private waste management companies.

VI. Maintenance and Safety Tips

To ensure long-term performance and safety, the following maintenance steps are recommended:

Regularly check hydraulic oil levels, cylinders, and sealing components.

Inspect the lifting chain and boom hinge for wear and lubrication.

Clean the bin coupling points and support legs after each operation.

Periodically test the PTO system and ensure no oil leakage occurs.

Train operators on safety procedures and emergency operation methods.

Proper maintenance not only extends equipment lifespan but also prevents downtime and costly repairs.

VII. Customization and OEM Services

As a professional garbage truck manufacturer, we provide custom design and OEM production to meet different regional standards and application needs. Options include:

Bin volume: 3–12 cubic meters

Hydraulic control: Manual / Electronic

Power system: Diesel / Electric

Arm structure: Single arm / Double arm

Paint & logo customization for municipal or private sanitation fleets

Our engineering team ensures every truck meets international quality certifications such as ISO9001 and CE, guaranteeing reliable performance and compliance with global markets.

VIII. Market Perspective and Environmental Impact

With the increasing emphasis on smart city development and sustainable waste management, skip loader garbage trucks are becoming essential equipment for urban sanitation systems.

They help cities reduce carbon emissions, improve waste collection efficiency, and support circular economy strategies by facilitating waste classification and recycling.

Investing in modern hydraulic garbage trucks contributes to cleaner cities, lower operational costs, and greener urban environments.

IX. Why Choose Our Skip Loader Garbage Truck

Over 15 years of manufacturing experience in sanitation vehicles

Professional R&D team with OEM and ODM capability

Reliable global supply chain and after-sales service

Competitive pricing with long-term parts availability

Proven performance in more than 30 countries worldwide