Abstract: A device for loading refuse into, and compacting it inside a container carried by a refuse collecting vehicle, includes a link and a shovel extending throughout the width of the container and hinged together by a hinge. The link also has its other end hinged to a fixed structure of the vehicle in such a manner that the link is adapted only to swing about the axis of that hinge. Hydraulic jacks are provided for driving the link and shovel into motion. The hydraulic jacks operate such as to cause the free end of the shovel to describe, during the effective loading steps, a curved path that thoroughly follows the curvilinear shape of a bottom of a refuse receiving trough.