The Adelaide Hills Region Waste Management Authority (AHRWMA) is proving how TANA landfill compactors can drive landfill compaction efficiency and long-term profitability. For AHRWMA, choosing a landfill compactor isn’t just about the machine – it’s about a relationship built on trust, reliability, and performance.
Trust, continuity and waste-volume challenge
Handling around 45,000 tonnes of waste each year at its Brinkley landfill, AHRWMA has long relied on Tana machines to ensure consistent waste processing and compaction. Recently, the authority added a new TANA H320 to its fleet, reinforcing its commitment to performance and long-term value.
Operations Manager Ben Tume highlights three decisive factors: exceptional product support, outstanding machine reliability, and superior compaction performance.
“Tana’s local support is far superior to anything else,” Ben says. “From my experience, when you’re looking for support, it’s not very often that you can get straight through to the bloke who has these machines in his wheelhouse.”
Support that goes the extra mile
That level of support makes a real difference. Ben recalls a situation where a component failure could have delayed operations — but Tana immediately stepped in.
“They actually floated a replacement machine over to us,” he explains. In a gesture of commitment, Tana even offered to subtract the rental costs from the purchase price of a new machine.
This kind of responsiveness ensures continuous uptime and peace of mind, essential for any waste management authority serving a large community.
Designed for reliability in demanding conditions
In Australia’s harsh climate, machine reliability is everything. AHRWMA typically keeps its compactors for eight years, using the newer model as the primary unit and the older one as a backup.
Even after years of operation, the machines continue to perform.
Ben says the old compactors have consistently done more than 10,000 hours without needing a single wheel recap, a testament to their durability, as well as their tolerance for South Australia’s hot, dry climate, with no overheating issues.
That kind of durability is no coincidence. TANA compactors are designed with a rigid frame, full-width twin drums, and crushing teeth that distribute compaction force evenly – reducing stress on components while improving ground pressure and surface smoothness.
Purpose-built for landfill efficiency
Unlike traditional four-wheeled compactors, TANA landfill compactors are designed exclusively for landfill use. Every design detail supports one goal: maximising airspace and profitability.
- The non-oscillating, rigid frame ensures the machine’s full weight is applied through the drums for optimal compaction.
- Full-width drums with crushing teeth process waste evenly and eliminate voids.
- High ground clearance and low centre of gravity enable easy operation on uneven terrain.
- The front-frame cabin provides excellent visibility, while the intuitive touchscreen helps operators work efficiently and comfortably.
“The operators love them,” Ben says. “They’ve had the opportunity to go and use other machines, but they all come back and say you can’t beat the Tana. The vision alone, being able to see the bottom of your blade, is a huge bonus.”
Proven results: compaction that delivers profit
For AHRWMA, performance is measured in data. Ben monitors compaction results monthly, and the numbers speak for themselves.
Over a seven-and-a-half-year period, the Brinkley site has achieved an average density of 0.74 tonnes per cubic metre, with peaks of up to 0.85 tonnes per cubic metre.
“We’re getting better compaction with a machine that’s nearly 25% lighter,” Ben says. “Every cubic metre has a dollar figure attached to it. The more you can fit in, the more profitable you’re going to be.”
TANA’s engineering philosophy supports this – every pass counts. Better compaction means fewer passes, lower fuel consumption, and reduced operating hours. The result: less cost per tonne and longer landfill life.
The clear choice for long-term value
For Ben and his team, the choice is simple.
“The product support, the vision, the compaction… for us, that’s enough.”
The AHRWMA’s experience demonstrates what TANA stands for: long-term reliability, intelligent design, and measurable results. It’s not just a machine, it’s a partnership that helps landfill operators get the most value from every cubic metre.
This article was originally published in Australian Waste Management Review. Please see the original article here.