By Melissa J. Buchanan

CEG MANAGING EDITOR

The deer and antelope are leaving the range and finding a new home at the Texas Disposal Systems Municipal Solid Waste Processing Facility (TDS).

The landfill, located nine miles south of Austin, TX, not only supports the disposal needs of Austin and San Antonio, it also is home to 25 different species of exotic animals. Texans looking for a peek at this exotic wildlife are guided through this 341-acre landfill on a daily basis. The mainstay of TDS, of course, is the collection, disposal and recycling of thousands of pounds of solid waste.

To meet the growing needs of the Austin and San Antonio areas, TDS is currently undergoing a cell expansion. To create the new cell, or an area where the solid waste will be enclosed, crews will move 625,000 cubic yards of dirt. Mine Service Inc., Rockdale, TX, is doing the earthwork for TDS.

Because of the distance of the haul and the massive amount of earthwork, Mine Services called Don Onthank of Diamond Equipment Ltd., Ft. Worth, TX, for some of its equipment needs. Onthank suggested using three 17-yard Reynolds pan scrapers pulled behind a John Deere 9400 tractor. Not only is it unique to see one tractor with three scrapers, but Mine Service is utilizing seven John Deere 9400 tractors and 21 Reynolds scrapers.

The triple scrapers are doing the job, according to Jim Gregory, vice president, TDS. "This is the first time I've come in contact with with this type of setup. It's really increasing production because of the distance of the haul," he said. "Because of the capacity of the Reynolds scrapers, Mine Service crews are moving more dirt than a standard scraper can do."

When the cell is finished in July, TDS will add sidewall liners and a leachate system to funnel and treat the runoff.

TDS goes the extra mile with the waste it handles. The company has received environmental support from groups like the Sierra Club for its landfilling, composting and recycling facilities.

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