Oakland Public Works is making quicker time of bulky trash removals thanks to their newest toy: the Lightning Loader. Essentially a giant mechanical claw used to pick up big piles of rubbish, city officials say it's helped them to remove 17 tons of trash in just four days.

Per reporting from KPIX, the latest tool for Oakland cleanup crews has swiftly made a noticeable difference in the city's ongoing battle to keep its streets trash-free. Beyond being a time saver, veteran Public Works employee Tim Glasper said that it's also a relief on his spine.

"This changed the game a lot," Glasper told KPIX. "It also saves your back from the physical labor. It scoops and picks up so much at one time. It makes everything a lot faster."

Eyeballing a recent pile of debris removed by the Lightning Loader near San Pablo Avenue and 33rd Street, Glasper estimated that the machine's contributions got what would have been an hour's work by hand down to a ten minute job.

Even with their new tool to compliment two older models owned by the city (but in need of repair), Oakland officials have a multi-prong approach in mind when it comes to clearing refuse.

Additional measures to combat litter, per KPIX, include increasing the fines issued by Public Works for illegal dumping to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $5,000 for repeat offenders. These fines will be issued by three new enforcement officers hired by the city, who are further complimented by an array of cameras that have been strategically placed at popular dumping sites.

District 3 Councilwoman Carroll Fife voiced her support for the measure, telling KPIX that thanks to these cameras, "we're starting to make more citations, so that people know: don't come here with your trash."

Oakland officials are set to receive an additional lightning loader next week, doubling the number of new machines they're currently renting. It should make for quite a fleet once the older models, both now undergoing upgrades, get back on the streets as well.

Related: East Bay Company Dumps Debris Into Customer’s Yard Over Unpaid Bill, But They Moved Out

Image: Mayor Barbara Lee/Instagram