Abstract: A plug valve assembly has a valve body with an inlet and an outlet each defining a fluid passageway in fluid communication with a cavity defined within the valve body. The valve body further has a collar defining a service opening extending upward from the valve body. A plug with a spindle top and a plug body is disposed within the cavity. The plug has an opening that is operable to obstruct the fluid passageway when it is in a closed position and to connect the inlet to the outlet when it is in an open position. The spindle top of the plug has a hexagonal outer profile and a through opening and adaptable to engage with a variety of actuating devices. A threaded cap is removably engaged with the collar of the valve body and is operable to retain the plug within the valve body cavity.

Abstract: A plug valve assembly has a valve body with an inlet and an outlet each defining a fluid passageway in fluid communication with a cavity defined within the valve body. The valve body further has a collar defining a service opening extending upward from the valve body. A plug with a spindle top and a plug body is disposed within the cavity. The plug has an opening that is operable to obstruct the fluid passageway when it is in a closed position and to connect the inlet to the outlet when it is in an open position. The spindle top of the plug has a hexagonal outer profile and a through opening and adaptable to engage with a variety of actuating devices. A threaded cap is removably engaged with the collar of the valve body and is operable to retain the plug within the valve body cavity.

Abstract: Method of removing a valve cap threadedly engaged with a valve body includes inserting at least one coupling rod from a cap adapter through a valve cap attachment hole to couple the structures, coupling an output drive of a torque multiplier with the adapter, and exerting an input torque on the torque multiplier to rotate the adapter and valve cap, the input torque exerted on the torque multiplier being increased by the torque multiplier.

Abstract: Method of removing a valve cap threadedly engaged with a valve body includes inserting at least one coupling rod from a cap adapter through a valve cap attachment hole to couple the structures, coupling an output drive of a torque multiplier with the adapter, and exerting an input torque on the torque multiplier to rotate the adapter and valve cap, the input torque exerted on the torque multiplier being increased by the torque multiplier.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing debris from accessing and wrapping around the axles of a vehicle, such as a landfill compactor, are disclosed. The apparatus may include a wheel having a rim from which radially extend a plurality of cleats or tips. A subset of tips may be provided circumferentially around a laterally inner edge of the wheel. A wheel guard may be mounted between adjacent pairs of tips of the subset. Each wheel guard may be welded to the rim and to the adjacent pairs of tips. Each wheel guard may be a unitary piece of metal, or could be provided in two or more segment so as to be adjustable and thus facilitate use on wheels of differing diameters, or with different tip spacing. The wheel guards and adjacent tips form a continuous barrier around the circumference of the wheel to prevent debris from accessing and wrapping around the axles of the compactor.

Abstract: A compactor wheel tip for a landfill or soil compactor comprises a bottom wall having a wheel engaging surface, a top wall having a ground engaging surface, oppositely disposed front and rear walls having concave surfaces, and oppositely disposed side walls. The ground engaging surface of the top wall may be generally planar and have a “bow-tie”-shaped cross-section, or the top wall may define a pair of shoulders each extending inwardly from one of the side walls, and a rib extending between the shoulders and having a depth that is less than the depth of shoulders. The ground engaging surface may further define a pair of exterior pockets disposed on opposite sides of the rib and extending downwardly between the rib and corresponding portions of the front and rear walls.

Abstract: A compactor wheel tip assembly for a landfill or soil compactor comprises a base with a tip attached thereto. A base engaging surface of the tip and a tip engaging surface of the base face and abut when the tip is attached to the base. The tip and base engaging surfaces may have corresponding geometries so that the tip may be attached the base in either a forward and rearward traction position or a side-slop traction position. The tip may include pocket walls having concave surfaces, and a ground engaging surface of a top wall that may be generally planar with a “bow-tie”-shaped cross-section or may define a pair of shoulders, a rib extending between the shoulders, and exterior pockets disposed on either side of the rib.

Abstract: A compactor wheel tip for a landfill or soil compactor comprises a bottom wall having a wheel engaging surface, a top wall having a ground engaging surface, oppositely disposed front and rear walls having concave surfaces, and oppositely disposed side walls. The ground engaging surface of the top wall may be generally planar and have a “bow-tie”-shaped cross-section, or the top wall may define a pair of shoulders each extending inwardly from one of the side walls, and a rib extending between the shoulders and having a depth that is less than the depth of shoulders. The ground engaging surface may further define a pair of exterior pockets disposed on opposite sides of the rib and extending downwardly between the rib and corresponding portions of the front and rear walls.

Abstract: A compactor wheel tip assembly for a landfill or soil compactor comprises a base with a tip attached thereto. A base engaging surface of the tip and a tip engaging surface of the base face and abut when the tip is attached to the base. The tip and base engaging surfaces may have corresponding geometries so that the tip may be attached the base in either a forward and rearward traction position or a side-slop traction position. The tip may include pocket walls having concave surfaces, and a ground engaging surface of a top wall that may be generally planar with a “bow-tie”-shaped cross-section or may define a pair of shoulders, a rib extending between the shoulders, and exterior pockets disposed on either side of the rib.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing debris from accessing and wrapping around the axles of a vehicle, such as a landfill compactor, are disclosed. The apparatus may include a wheel having a rim from which radially extend a plurality of cleats or tips. A subset of tips may be provided circumferentially around a laterally inner edge of the wheel. A wheel guard may be mounted between adjacent pairs of tips of the subset. Each wheel guard may be welded to the rim and to the adjacent pairs of tips. Each wheel guard may be a unitary piece of metal, or could be provided in two or more segment so as to be adjustable and thus facilitate use on wheels of differing diameters, or with different tip spacing. The wheel guards and adjacent tips form a continuous barrier around the circumference of the wheel to prevent debris from accessing and wrapping around the axles of the compactor.

Abstract: A compactor tip assembly for a landfill or soil compactor comprises a base and a tip that are formed from dissimilar materials. The tip may be formed from high carbon steel for wear resistance, while the base may be formed from low carbon steel for easy welding. The compactor tip assembly is attached to the compactor wheel by welding the base to the wheel. The tip and the base each have ground engaging surfaces which may be complementary to one another. A hollow pocket may be formed through the base and in the tip.

Abstract: A compactor tip assembly for a landfill or soil compactor comprises a base and a tip that are formed from dissimilar materials. The tip may be formed from high carbon steel for wear resistance, while the base may be formed from low carbon steel for easy welding. The compactor tip assembly is attached to the compactor wheel by welding the base to the wheel. The tip and the base each have ground engaging surfaces which may be complementary to one another. A hollow pocket may be formed through the base and in the tip.

Abstract: A top-dumping container handling vehicle for receiving, carrying and dumping at least one container having at least one locking slot is provided. The container handler has a frame which has an attached support structure. At least one container cradle for receiving and holding the container is supported by the support structure for movement between a centered position and at least one dump position. The container cradle includes at least one hooking or locking assembly that is movable between a hooked or locked position, wherein the locking assembly does not interfere with the loading of the container into the container cradle, and an unhooked or unlocked position, wherein the locking assembly engages the corresponding locking slot on the container, thereby preventing movement or shifting of the container relative to the container cradle. The container handling vehicle also has a dumping assembly which moves the container cradle between the centered and the dump position.

Abstract: An assembly which automatically opens the tailgate of a container when the container is tilted from a transport position to a dump position for rear dumping by a container transport vehicle is provided. The tailgate having a pair of side arms each of which is pivotally connected to a respective one of the side walls of the container such that the tailgate can rotate relative to the container between open and closed positions. The assembly of the present invention includes a counterbalance assembly which is pivotally connected to the frame of a container transport vehicle. The assembly also includes a hook member which is pivotally connected at one end thereof to the side arm of the tailgate and which has a free end. The counterbalance assembly including a hook pin and the free end of hook member being configured to engage the hook pin.

Abstract: A top-dumping container handling vehicle for receiving, carrying and dumping at least one container having at least one locking slot is provided. The container handler has a frame which has an attached support structure. At least one container cradle for receiving and holding the container is supported by the support structure for movement between a centered position and at least one dump position. The container cradle includes at least one hooking or locking assembly that is movable between a hooked or locked position, wherein the locking assembly does not interfere with the loading of the container into the container cradle, and an unhooked or unlocked position, wherein the locking assembly engages the corresponding locking slot on the container, thereby preventing movement or shifting of the container relative to the container cradle. The container handling vehicle also has a dumping assembly which moves the container cradle between the centered and the dump position.