July 22, 2025
Refuse collection looks a lot different than it did a decade ago. Fewer workers ride the back of trucks. More neighborhoods rely on standardized carts. Some operators can now do the job of a team of three without leaving the cab. And with a need to collect refuse from more than 1,000 homes on average, having the right solution is important to get the job done in an environment where every second matters. But, this shift didn’t happen overnight. It took engineering, refinement and a deep understanding of how waste haulers work.
McNeilus has been part of that evolution from the start, rethinking what a side loader refuse and recycling collection vehicle can do and building on a platform designed to solve real-world collection challenges.
How Side Loaders are Designed for Today's Demands
Residential waste collection isn’t a one-size-fits-all operation. Routes vary in size, layout and complexity. From wide suburban streets to narrow alleyways with tight clearance and inconsistent parking, McNeilus side loaders are built with these realities in mind. Every component is engineered for performance, reliability, and adaptability, giving haulers the tools they need to stay efficient in any setting. At the heart of this capability is a proprietary arm system, redefining what’s possible when maneuvering in challenging environments.
Zero Radius™ Arm Technology
The McNeilus® Zero Radius™ (ZR) arm is an innovative mechanical solution for one of the most common collection problems: lack of space. Traditional arms swing out during pickup, requiring open clearance that isn’t always available. The ZR arm addresses this limitation with a unique “candy cane” motion that lifts the cart straight up, inverts it into the hopper and lowers it back down without an outward kick.
This motion makes it possible to service containers in dense urban settings, alleyways and curbside locations crowded with parked cars. From within the environment of the cab, operators can reach the carts tucked between road and curb obstacles.
McNeilus offers both 6-foot and 12-foot arm reach options to accommodate different route conditions, providing flexibility across a wide range of collection environments. Whether it's a tight cul-de-sac or a crowded downtown street, the ZR arm delivers consistent, efficient performance.
Built-in performance and uptime protection
Reliable performance often starts with internal systems, like the packing cylinder, designed to effectively pack refuse in the body.
McNeilus side loaders are equipped with an exclusive Excalibre™ packing cylinder that’s built to endure the heavy demands of daily collection. What sets it apart is its integrated scraper technology, which acts as a barrier against contaminants, which could otherwise compromise hydraulic fluid.
The Excalibre™ packing cylinder design helps keep debris and moisture from entering the system, protecting internal components and helping address the risk of costly route breakdowns. This built-in safeguard keeps trucks on the road and out of the shop, helping haulers stay on schedule and maintain route consistency even in high-demand environments.
Refuse and Recycling Trucks Engineered for Safety and Efficiency
Keeping routes efficient doesn’t have to come at the expense of safety or staffing. McNeilus continues to invest in technologies to support both, giving operators innovative tools behind the wheel and helping fleet managers respond to the growing demands of today’s collection landscape. Features like automated arm systems and full-fleet monitoring platforms promote operator care and deliver outstanding insight, control and uptime across operations.
CartSeeker™ Automation
For haulers struggling with workforce gaps or frequent turnover, McNeilus’ CartSeeker™ technology offers many benefits. This AI-driven system automates one of the most repetitive and error-prone tasks in residential collection: cart alignment and lift. Using a combination of LIDAR and camera-based detection, the CartSeeker™ technology identifies carts by size, shape and position. With a single button push, the system guides the arm to the cart, picking it up, dumping it and resetting.
By eliminating the need for joystick control, McNeilus’ CartSeeker™ solution promotes training efficiency for new drivers and manages fatigue for experienced ones. It helps standardize performance across operators, helps address human error and promotes route efficiency, especially in neighborhoods where consistency and speed are critical.
Fleet Management
Modern waste collection fleets require more than basic tracking, they need real-time visibility into performance, maintenance status and operator efficiency across every vehicle. McNeilus’ ClearSky Intelligence™ technology offers fleet managers a centralized view of overall truck health and performance. The real-time fleet management platform tracks everything from vehicle location and route status to diagnostic data and service alerts. This insight helps fleet managers spot minor issues before they become bigger ones.
With real-time monitoring capabilities, ClearSky Intelligence technology provides the data service teams need to manage maintenance and performance. This connected solution can also record operator and pickup data, providing opportunities to affirm competencies and identify operational deficiencies which can be supported through training or refresher coursework. Together, these features keep uptime high in day-to-day operations.
McNeilus® Volterra™ Side Loader EV Platform
The McNeilus® Volterra ZSL™ side loader, brings together electric propulsion, refuse-specific engineering and smart operator controls in one seamless package. It is a modern solution built for real-world performance and everyday use.
Enhanced Operator Awareness Through Camera Integration
Visibility is an important factor in vehicle operation, especially in neighborhoods and tight collection environments. The McNeilus Volterra ZSL side loaders is equipped with a network of strategically placed cameras which provide 360-degree visibility.
Operators gain real-time views of the arm, hopper, sides and rear of the vehicle. This level of situational awareness helps account for blind spots and supports maneuverability in environments where precision matters.
Unified display interface for simpler operation
The McNeilus Volterra ZSL side loader’s cab display provides essential information an operator needs on their job. With automatic screen adjustment based on driving mode, operators have situational awareness whether in active collection, in transit or reversing modes. Operators can access body controls, route data and camera views without switching between systems. This streamlined interface can help enhance driver alertness, supports efficient decision-making and creates an intuitive experience for both new and experienced drivers.
McNeilus Side Loaders Offer an Optimal Experience for Operators and Fleets
The success of any collection route depends on the people behind the wheel and the efficiencies of the fleets they operate. From the layout of the cab to the intelligence built into the vehicle systems, McNeilus side loaders are engineered to provide safe, smooth and productive operations.
Promoting operator wellbeing and productivity
A comfortable operator can mean an efficient operator. McNeilus side loaders keep operator experience at the forefront.
The cab features:
- Entry step for efficient access
- Wide windows for effective visibility
- Intuitive controls which can help promote comfort over long shifts
Combined with a tight turning radius, these design elements allow for meaningful navigation through complex residential routes while helping manage the physical fatigue that can come from repetitive stop-and-go collection work.
supporting your operation with built-in intelligence
McNeilus refuse and recycling collection vehicles include smart systems designed to monitor performance throughout the day. Sensors can track key indicators and alert teams to important vehicle and system information. With access to real-time data, fleets can plan maintenance efficiently, enhance uptime and get outstanding value out of every truck. It is a practical way to keep operations running smoothly and promote long-term performance.
Choosing the perfect side loader is about more than specs on a page. It is about finding a solution that fits the way your routes run, the way your teams work and the goals your fleet needs to meet. McNeilus continues to lead the industry by designing side loading refuse and recycling collection vehicles that combine intelligent features, operator-focused designs and the performance required for today’s collection demands.
If you're exploring side loader options or are looking to upgrade your current fleet, the McNeilus team is here to help.
Our experts can walk you through equipment features, answer questions about configuration and performance, and help you determine the best fit for your operation.
Contact us to start a conversation or reach out to your local dealer to see how McNeilus can support your goals with equipment built for today’s collection demands.