Red Dot’s R-6100: Low Profile, High Performance A/C for Waste and Refuse Trucks

Joe Willis isn’t sure which part of the refuse hauler’s job is toughest: the stop-and-go pace of residential pickups, or the rough roads and exposed areas at the transfer station, landfill, or recycling facility.

“A waste truck operator may be in and out of that cab several hundred times a day on his collection route. Then, once he reaches the dumpsite, he may have to wait in the heat of the day to offload,” says Willis, vice-president of operations at Worldwide Equipment of Chattanooga, a Mack and Volvo dealer in Chattanooga, Tenn. “The operating conditions are hot and dusty with a lot of vibration.”

He says Red Dot’s R-6100 air-conditioner is ideal for the waste collection market, where uptime and operator comfort are the keys to being productive.

The R-6100 is a rugged, high-capacity rooftop A/C unit for aftermarket installation on commercial trucks, construction equipment, and off-highway machines. Willis says it’s ideal for the waste collection market.

“I haven’t seen any other air conditioner pack so much performance and durability into such a low-profile design,” Willis says. “And by low profile, I mean on top of the cab and inside of it. Both are important.”

The R-6100 extends just 7.4 inches above the roofline, so it won’t interfere with a front-loading refuse body. The low profile and tough roto-molded housing also reduce the risk of impact damage. Inside the cab, the ceiling plenum protrudes barely 1.5 inches below the headliner. It houses the controls for the blower and thermostat as well as a cab air filter without consuming valuable headroom.

Willis says what refuse truck operators appreciate most on a hot day is a strong, steady stream of cool air. The R-6100 can deliver 16,000 BTUs per hour and airflow of 265 CFM. “At that rate, you can work with the door open and still feel relief from the air blowing directly onto you,” Willis says. If the driver has to switch and operate the vehicle from the opposite side, two large diffusers rotate 360 degrees to concentrate airflow wherever he needs it.

Most of the R-6100 units that Worldwide Equipment installs go to refuse truck cabs. Willis says his shop managers and technicians appreciate the unit’s neat, efficient installation. “The entire A/C unit nestles into a small hole cut into the roof, and inside the fit-and-finish blends in with the interior and looks great,” Willis says. “The installation process takes about 12 hours of shop time.”

Red Dot, a leader in the design and manufacture of mobile heating and cooling solutions, has engineered the R-6100 for long life. Its tube-and-fin coil construction ensures strong condenser performance in dusty, dirty conditions. The copper tubing is 0.022 inches thick, resulting in an effective, lightweight, rugged coil. 

The sealed motor is a permanent magnet type with a slinger ring and hubcap for weather protection. The condenser unit’s fan is aluminum with a heavy-duty spider and riveted blades. A high-capacity, spring-loaded receiver drier helps stop moisture from compromising the performance and life of the system. 

Should the R-6100 need service beyond routine maintenance, only two outside bolts need to be removed in order to access any component.

“This is a bulletproof A/C unit with a strong track record of standing up to the demands of refuse operations,” Willis says. “Its high performance, low profile, and toughness make it a real favorite in the refuse market. Its easy, efficient installation makes our technicians happy, too.”