Please login to find your pricing, which may be different

Compactor Control Panels, PLCs & Operator Controls

Replacement and retrofit control panels, PLCs, PCBs, operator controls, and motor driver controls for industrial trash compactors. OEM-compatible with Marathon, PTR, Wastequip, Harmony, and SP Industries — with PLC retrofit options for older relay-logic compactors.

What this page covers

The control panel is the brain of an industrial compactor — it takes signals from sensors and operator inputs, runs the cycle logic, and drives the motor and hydraulic actuators. When the control panel ages out, the compactor either fails outright or operates unreliably. Replacement options range from drop-in OEM PCB replacements to full PLC retrofits that add cycle counters, run-time meters, and remote monitoring.

PRT stocks original-equipment PCB replacements for the most common Marathon, PTR, Wastequip, and Harmony control systems, plus modern PLC retrofit kits for older relay-logic compactors. Operator controls (pendant boxes, panel-mounted button stations) and motor driver controls (contactors, VFDs, soft starters) are also stocked.

How to choose

Identify the failed component — PLC, PCB, operator control station, or motor driver — and provide the compactor make, model, and original part number. PRT can confirm a direct replacement, recommend an OEM-equivalent, or quote a PLC retrofit if the original part is discontinued.

PLC retrofits typically extend a compactor's service life by 10+ years and add features that weren't available on the original relay-logic system. If your compactor is more than 15 years old and the original controls are failing, a retrofit is usually more cost-effective than another round of relay-logic repairs.

Control panel components

  • PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers)Modern PLC retrofits and direct PLC replacements.
  • PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards)Original-equipment PCB replacements for Marathon, PTR, Wastequip.
  • Operator ControlsPendant boxes, panel-mounted button stations, remote operators.
  • Driver ControlsMotor contactors, VFDs (variable frequency drives), soft starters.
  • PLC Retrofit KitsComplete kits to upgrade older relay-logic compactors to PLC controls.
  • Cycle Counters and Run-Time MetersAdd to existing panels for usage tracking and maintenance scheduling.

Frequently asked questions

When should I replace the whole control panel instead of just a component?

Three signs: (1) multiple components failing in sequence; (2) the original PCB is discontinued and no direct replacement is available; (3) the compactor is more than 15 years old with original controls. In those cases, a PLC retrofit usually costs less than another round of repairs and extends compactor life by a decade.

What's the difference between a PLC and a PCB in compactor controls?

A PCB (printed circuit board) is the physical electronic board. A PLC (programmable logic controller) is a specific type of industrial controller that runs programmed logic. Older compactors use custom PCBs with relay logic; modern compactors use PLCs. PLC retrofits replace the old PCB with a modern PLC.

Can I add cycle counters and run-time meters to my existing compactor?

Yes. PRT stocks panel-mounted cycle counters and run-time meters that wire into existing control circuits. Useful for tracking compactor usage and scheduling preventive maintenance.

Are PRT PLC retrofits compatible with Allen Bradley and Siemens PLCs?

PRT retrofits use Allen Bradley MicroLogix and Siemens S7 platforms — the two most common industrial PLC families. We can quote either platform; choice usually depends on your operation's existing PLC infrastructure.