Leaf season in Sacramento is over. How much did the Claw scoop up on city streets?
The Claw — a tractor with rakish charm and a large grasping mechanism without which fall in Sacramento seems almost unthinkable — finished out leaf season strong, picking up about 10,000 tons of tree debris piled in the streets.
A city spokesperson said that the 10,000 tons — or 20 million pounds of albeit sometimes wet and thus heavier leaves and other garden matter — were removed as part of an essential service to Sacramento residents. Without the seven Claw operators and accompanying rear-loader truck operators, the City of Trees would be buried beneath its canopy during the fall and winter months.
Jesa David of the Department of Public Works’ Recycling and Solid Waste Division said that Claw crews did nine rounds of pickups between Nov. 4 and the week of Feb. 3. Each round served more than 90 neighborhood zones, systematically sweeping the entire city in 1,500-pound scoops.
The service is for residents with green bins, which are supposed to be full before they begin to add to any street pile. After Dec. 25, the Claw fleet also removed Christmas trees (stripped of their ornaments) with its implement, which can open to nearly 8 feet.
Operating the 14,000-pound steel implement and front-loading tractor, David said, requires “tremendous focus.” While the city did not make any of the fleet’s drivers available for an interview, David relayed that they feel “great” knowing “that the work helps keep the city clean and safe during during leaf season, preventing issues like clogged drains and ensuring that parks and streets remain accessible.”
Now that the leaf drop has dropped off, the Claw tractors and their operators have returned to their normal duties like running the city’s Household Junk Pickup program, which allows customers to schedule pickups of large items up to twice a year.
And, just like it has for every leaf season, since the 1960s, the Claw will return in 10 months.
Until then, residents’ next chance to see the machine will be out at the Sacramento Recycling & Solid Waste facility on Meadowview Drive, the North Area Corporation Yard on Del Paso Road or at several of the city’s annual public safety events, like the annual Highwater Jamboree, which takes place in October.
