Abstract: A deck mounted air cleaner assembly for a vehicle having a deck with an external and an internal face. The deck is pivotal about an axis. The assembly includes an air filter mounted on the external face of the deck. A clean air duct extends from the air filter and passes through an opening in the deck to an engine. A flexible portion of the duct between the deck and the engine is provided wherein pivotal movement of the deck translates into movement of the air filter.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle having a frame and a rear axle for wheels. The suspension system includes a pair of trailing arms, each trailing arm extending from the frame and connected to the rear axle. A pair of torque rods, each has a first end pivotally extending from the tractor frame and a second end. A stabilizer plate has a first end connected to the frame and a pair of second ends. A fifth wheel mounting bracket pivotally connects each torque rod second end and pivotally connected to the stabilizing plate second ends. A load mechanism extends between the trailing arms and the mounting bracket to raise or lower the fifth wheel mounting bracket while remaining parallel.

Abstract: A side loader for picking up curbside refuse containers includes a hydraulic telescopic boom located adjacent a top open refuse compartment of a vehicle. The boom is adapted for inward/outward movement transverse to the forward/rearward axis of the vehicle. A mast is connected via a hydraulic powered helical rotary actuator for pivotal movement of its lower end inward and outward. A similar rotary actuator is used to operate the grabber arm assembly.

Abstract: A trash collecting apparatus is described for mounting on a trash collection vehicle for one man side loading operation. A pair of spaced apart parallel guide rails each having a long vertical straight section and a short curved section at the top are pivotally attached to the vehicle at the top. A power cylinder is provided at the lower end of the guide rails for pushing and retracting the lower end of the guide rails from the vehicle. A grabber is provided for engagement with the trash can to be emptied. The grabber is connected to lifting arms. The lifting arms comprise an upper lifting arm segment and a lower lifting arm segment. A power cylinder drives the lifting arms so that the lower ends of the lower lifting arms follow the guide rails to the curved section.

Abstract: Power fluid from a pump are provided through one power fluid branch conduit to an extend port for activating the smallest cylinder of a multi-stage packing cylinder and fluid is conducted through a second extend branch conduit to a second port which provides fluids to the larger cylinders of the packing cylinder. A normally closed sequence value is in the second branch conduit. When the pump first is activated, fluid goes through the first extend branch conduit to extend the smallest stage of the packing cylinder. When the smallest stage is fully extended or reaches resistance, the pressure in the pump output conduit rises. When this pressure reaches a preselected value, the sequence valve is opened and high pressure fluid is directed through the second branch conduit and second port to provide power fluid to the larger cylinders of the packing cylinder.

Abstract: A trash collecting apparatus is described for mounting on a trash collection vehicle for one man side loading operation. A pair of spaced apart parallel guide rails each having a long vertical straight section and a short curved section at the top are pivotally attached to the vehicle at the top. A power cylinder is provided at the lower end of the guide rails for pushing and retracting the lower end of the guide rails form the vehicle. A pair of grabber arms are provided for grabbing the periphery of the trash can to be emptied. The grabber arms are connected to lifting arms. The lifting arms comprise an upper lifting arm segment and a lower lifting arm segment. A power cylinder drives the lifting arms so that the lower end of the lower lifting arm follows the guide rails to the curved section.

Abstract: A self-propelled wheeled vehicle has a load receiving tank with the driving wheeled suspension system and the driven steering control system directly attached to the load receiving tank. The prime mover and power transmission system is also attached to the tank and interconnected with the driving wheels. An operators cab is attached to the forward end of the load receiving tank. A front loader mechanism is integrated with a top front load receiving opening in the tank and the closure therefor such that movement of the closure simultaneously lifts an interconnected load container, raises same and dumps the load into the load receiving tank and vice-versa. The chassiless vehicle is applicable to rear loader and side loader use.

Abstract: A driver operator cab for waste collection vehicles includes a visual inspection port to permit alignment of lift forks relative to the trash container without aid from other persons and without leaving the normal position of the driver of the vehicle.