The Force (3) is with Acco

In-depth

19 Apr

Leading supplier and manufacturer of refuse collection equipment, Bucher Municipal, has teamed up with IVECO for a national roadshow to showcase its new FORCE Series 3 Front Loader compactor body.

Following a 12-month development process and extensive prototype testing, the innovative new body has now entered production with demonstrations of the vehicle proving popular with both local governments as well as private waste contractors.

A key feature of the FORCE Series 3 body is ‘Bucher iQ’, a new control technology that integrates with the cab chassis’ CANBus system and provides increased diagnostics and system configuration benefits via a touch-screen interface.

It also introduces Bucher’s own hydraulics system, which the company designed and engineered specifically for its bodies, so there are no compromises. Additionally, the new Bucher hydraulics boast advanced anti-tamper technology and offer the convenience of direct control from the operator screen while also delivering increased savings in maintenance and parts.

Available in 28.5m³ and 33.5m³ body sizes, the FORCE Series 3 makes the most of these generous capacities with its proprietary twin cylinder ‘floating blade’ compaction system that provides higher compaction force allowing maximum payloads to be reached while minimising blade jams.

Also helping productivity is its ability to pack the load and pick-up bins simultaneously, and a super-efficient 12 second lift cycle – this positions the FORCE Series 3 as the fastest and most productive front loader in its class.

Bucher Municipal’s Product and Marketing Manager, Marcus Hughes, said the FORCE Series 3 would deliver benefits to operators over preceding FORCE models as well as competitor offerings.

“The FORCE Series 3 represents the latest evolution of the FORCE Front Loader range. This new model includes features that were developed following in-field operator feedback as well as changes made through Bucher Municipal’s own product development processes,” Marcus explained.

“Key focus areas of the new bodies centre on bringing the product in line with the Bucher iQ CANBus control system that has been so successful on our refuse product range, as well as improving usability while reducing servicing and maintenance costs.”

Bucher Municipal has enjoyed a strong relationship with IVECO and previously INTERNATIONAL for over 50 years, and Marcus said it was a logical choice to trial the prototype FORCE Series 3 Front Loader on an ACCO 8x4 platform.

“Our customers are very familiar with the ACCO range, for many of them IVECO makes up a good portion of their waste collection fleet,” Marcus said.

“It’s a cab chassis that’s tried and tested, and one that our customers ask for, and for manufacturers such as Bucher, it’s an easy platform to work with.”

The FORCE Series 3 Front Loader roadshow sees a team from Bucher Municipal – including a driver trainer and product expert – visit customer sites to undertake a detailed vehicle walkaround, followed by a physical demonstration. Customers can then put the truck to work within their own fleets for an agreed period of time. The roadshow began in October 2023, and the unit will be available for demonstration until Q4, 2024.

Marcus said that feedback from participants had been excellent.

“Customers who have experienced the FORCE / ACCO combination recognise the considerable advancements that we’ve made, and interest has been strong,” he said.