April 19, 2023

Trash Compactor: Why is it hard to open the trash compactor drawer?

Bent support rollers or a damaged trash container can bind up the trash compactor drawer when opening.

Open the drawer and check the support rollers at the bottom of the trash compactor. If the support rollers don't hold the drawer high enough and the back of the drawer binds up when opening, bend the support rollers up slightly so the drawer slides out easily. Replace the support rollers if they're damaged.

Check the drawer bottom because the drawer won't open smoothly if the bottom is bent or warped. Replace the drawer if its bottom is bowed or warped.

trash compactor

THESE REPAIRS MAY HELP SOLVE YOUR TRASH COMPACTOR PROBLEM

JC-TC-Replace-the-drawer

Replace the trash compactor drawer

The drawer holds the trash under the ram for compacting. Overloading the drawer can bend the sides of the drawer when the ram compacts the load, preventing you from opening the trash compactor. Replace the drawer if it's bent or damaged.

Trash compactor drawer

Find the required part specific to your product.

Most common symptoms to help you fix your trash compactors

Choose a symptom to see related trash compactor repairs.

Main cause: faulty drawer tilt switch …

Main causes: lack of power, faulty drawer safety switch, bad power switch, momentary start switch failure, bad drive mot…

Main causes: bent drawer support rollers, damaged trash container…

Main causes: stuck foot pedal, bad momentary start switch, power switch failure…

Main causes: stripped or broken power nuts, broken or disconnected drive gear and sprocket chain, damaged drive parts…

Main causes: broken drive gear and sprocket chain, stripped power nuts, faulty top limit and directional switch…

Most common repair guides to help fix your trash compactors

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your trash compactor.

How to replace a trash compactor momentary start switch

How to replace a trash compactor momentary start switch

The momentary start switch starts the motor when you lift the foot pedal. This repair guide shows how to replace the swi…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a trash compactor power switch

How to replace a trash compactor power switch

If the trash compactor won’t power up, use the steps in this repair guide to replace the power switch.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less
How to replace a trash compactor motor centrifugal switch

How to replace a trash compactor motor centrifugal switch

If the trash compactor ram won’t return to the top position, replace the motor centrifugal switch by following the instr…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 45 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your trash compactors

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your trash compactor.

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