Abstract: A lift assembly includes a lift arm having a first arm portion, a second arm portion, a first actuator, and a second actuator. The first arm portion has a first end coupled to a chassis and/or a body of a vehicle. The second arm portion interfaces with the first arm portion and terminates with a second end. The first actuator facilitates repositioning the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion. The second actuator facilitate pivoting the first arm portion about the first end. The first actuator is configured to reposition the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion when the second actuator pivots the lift arm between a stowed position and a working position such that a relative distance between the first end and the second end changes as the second actuator pivots the lift arm between the stowed position and the working position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis, a body coupled to the chassis, and a lift assembly coupled to at least one of the chassis or the body. The lift assembly includes a first lift arm and a second lift arm. The first lift arm includes a first arm portion, a second arm portion interfacing with the first arm portion, a first actuator positioned to facilitate repositioning the second arm portion relative to the first arm portion, and a second actuator positioned to pivot the first arm portion. The second lift arm includes a third arm portion, a fourth arm portion interfacing with the third arm portion, a third actuator positioned to facilitate repositioning the fourth arm portion relative to the third arm portion, and a fourth actuator positioned to pivot the second arm portion.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, multiple tractive elements, a reach assembly, and a fully-electric lift assembly. The multiple tractive elements are coupled with the chassis and support the refuse vehicle. The reach assembly is coupled with the refuse vehicle. The fully-electric lift assembly is coupled with the reach assembly and includes a track, a carrier assembly, an electric motor, and a drive member. The track includes a straight portion and a curved portion. The track includes multiple channels that extend along an entire length of a path of the track and multiple engagement members. The carrier assembly is configured to move along the path of the track. The electric motor is fixedly coupled with the carrier assembly and drives a driveshaft. The drive member is rotatably fixedly coupled with the driveshaft and engages the multiple engagement members to drive the carrier assembly to ascend or descend along the track.

Abstract: A grapple truck with side loader having a generally J-shaped scoop in a lateral recess of the truck bed sidewall. Sometimes loader is longitudinally truncated forming an adjacent debris-bin vertical transport. The power lift system is either a direct lift-pivot with cylinder lifters or a channel-guided lifter with candy-cane shaped channels. Side loader rises from a low, manual loading position to an upper inverted dump position whereat loader displaces debris into truck bed box. Scoop's loader edge is planarly coextensive or inboard truck sidewall, and at or beneath the truck wheel axis line. A chassis mounted, articulated boom, with longitudinally extending arm segments, terminates in a grapple jaw. The articulated boom and grapple jaw has a longitudinally foreshortened stored position in and above the truck bed. In multiple operative positions, the arm extends beyond the truck bed and rear bed wall and laterally over and beyond truck sidewalls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the transport of a device along a construction, which comprises a rail which can be fixed to a construction and a transport carrier, which is equipped with a carriage slidably constrained to the rail and is intended to carry a device to be transported. The transport carrier comprises an oscillating frame, which is rotatably constrained to the carriage by means of a hinge and is intended to carry the device fixed thereto. Moreover, the apparatus comprises an orientation system mechanically connected to the transport carrier and configured to move, when the transport carrier is brought to the service position at the terminal portion of the construction, the oscillating frame to rotate between a non-operative position and an operative position in order to correctly position the device at the terminal portion of the construction.

Abstract: A material handling system for lifting and dumping material into a container. material handling systems for lifting and dumping material into a container are described herein which, in some embodiments, comprise at least one horizontal rail connected to the container, at least one vertical track slidably mounted to the horizontal rail, the vertical track defining a generally vertically extending lower portion and a curved upper portion transitioning into the generally vertically extending lower portion, a holder, the holder being connected to the vertical track in a manner permitting movement between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, and a motive power device operable to raise and lower the container along the vertical track between the uppermost position and the lowermost position, wherein the holder is rotated greater than about 90 degrees in the uppermost position relative to the lowermost position.

Abstract: A bin tipper includes a vertical support column, a cam track adjacent to the vertical support column, a structural member mounted to and configured to translate along the vertical support column, and a gripper assembly including a gripper mount having gripper arms mounted thereon that are configured to receive and hold a collection bin. The cam track includes a proximal portion parallel to the vertical support column and a distal portion provided at an angle with respect to the vertical support column. A first end of the gripper mount is pivotally mounted to the structural member and a second end of the gripper mount includes a cam follower extending therefrom that is configured to move within the proximal and distal portions of the cam track. The gripper assembly lifts and inverts the collection bin based on a position of the cam follower of the gripper mount within the cam track.

Abstract: A lifting/tipping device for emptying a collection container into a filling shaft of a baling press has a horizontal construction, for compaction of loose material, particularly of cardboard or similar waste/packaging material, into bales. The collection container can be pivoted from a starting position into an emptying position via a special lifting/tipping device, so that then, the waste material falls out of the collection container and through the filling shaft into an ante-chamber of a pressing chamber, in front of a pressing organ of the baling press, under the force of gravity. Thereby this ante-chamber is filled for the pressing process. The collection container is positioned on the baling press in such a manner that the functional surface required in the baling press is utilized in multivalent manner, thereby reducing the total functional surface.

Abstract: System and method for collecting object identification data from a plurality of objects that interact with a vehicle during operation of the vehicle, where the vehicle interacts with specific objects at specific geographical positions. An identification sensor is coupled to a geographical position sensor, and whenever an object is identified a record is generated, the record including the identification of the object, the position of the vehicle when the interaction between the object and the vehicle occurs, and the time of the interaction. Exemplary objects include passengers, containers, and documents. Exemplary interactions include loading/unloading an object from the vehicle, boarding a passenger, unloading a passenger, transferring a bulk material from the vehicle into a specific container, and/or transferring a bulk material from a specific container to the vehicle. The record may also include additional data about a parameter of the object (such as the object's weight, volume, or temperature).

Abstract: A powered, waste container lifting and tilting device is provided with a plurality of braces that can be universally attached to any receiving container, a retractable loading spike and strap that can be universally attached to any trash can, and a drive mechanism that can lift and tilt a trash can to easily transfer contents from the lifted trash can to the receiving container.

Abstract: A powered, waste container lifting and tilting device is provided with a plurality of braces that can be universally attached to any receiving container, a retractable loading spike and strap that can be universally attached to any trash can, and a drive mechanism that can lift and tilt a trash can to easily transfer contents from the lifted trash can to the receiving container.

Abstract: A simplified lift and lowering system is provided that includes a base carriage arrangement that operates along a stationary belt attached to a pivoting arm. The arm has a lower end that is capable of linear lateral extensions and the upper end that returns to the same position when the arm is retracted. The arm has a curved upper portion and is mounted to discharge or dump containers into the charging hopper section of a side-loading refuse vehicle. The stationary belt is carried in a recessed central area of the arm and is anchored at the upper end of the curved section of the arm and attached to a spring-loaded belt tensioner at the lower end of the arms.

Abstract: A side loader for a refuse vehicle has a laterally extendable first arm with an upper carriage connected to a gripper to releasably engage refuse containers. A second curved arm has a first position abutting the top end of the first arm so the upper carriage can reciprocate along the first and second arms. The second arm has a second, rotated position which dumps the refuse container into the vehicle. A drive chain connected to the upper carriage passes over a return roller which changes the direction of the chain before it is connected to the vehicle. A lower carriage reciprocates along the lower side of the first arm and holds two oppositely directed, hydraulic pistons. One piston moves the lower carriage relative to the vehicle and the other moves the return roller to alter the effective chain length and move the upper carriage faster than the lower carriage.

Abstract: An adapter to allow a sideloading refuse collection body to empty a rear loading container having trunnions. The adapter has a pair of spaced apart trunnion pockets to receive opposing trunnions of the container. A pair of lock arms on the adapter can be lowered against the tops of opposing sides of the container to lock the container in the trunnion pockets and against a stabilizer which engages the front wall of the container. The adapter includes a guide plate aligned with and extending from the front wall of the container. Lift arms on the collection body are joined to opposing sides of the adapter.

Abstract: A transfer vehicle includes a lateral pair of extendable and retractable arms, openable and closable hooks at front and rear ends of the arms, an arm opening and closing mechanism configured to change spacing between the arms, and a controller configured and programmed to control the arms and the arm opening and closing mechanism as well as the hooks. During article pickup, the controller pulls in an article onto the transfer vehicle by causing the arms to protrude to a position beyond the article in a state in which the hooks at a distal end in a pickup direction as viewed from the transfer vehicle are opened, thereafter closing the hooks to clamp the article, opening the arms after the clamping to provide a gap between the article and at least one of the arms, and retracting the arms in a state in which the hooks are closed.

Abstract: The embodiments herein provide a forklift truck for collecting recycling materials in a warehouse. The truck comprises an arm mechanism for lifting a recycling container from a baseline, a self-dumping hopper for holding the recycling materials, and an on-board module controlling a movement of the arm mechanism. The recycling container is configured for storing the recycling materials. The arm mechanism is configured to unload contents of the recycling container in the self-dumping hopper. The on-board module comprises a user interface for receiving a plurality of inputs from a user; and a controller for controlling the arm mechanism according to the inputs received from the user interface. The arm mechanism comprises the actuators and links for moving the arm mechanism in preset manner to avoid collisions based on the received signals from the on-board module and the sensors for monitoring a position of the arm mechanism.

Abstract: An apparatus for at least partly inverting an object. The apparatus having a support for supporting the object, a first guide, a pivotally mounted second guide, and a first and second tracking device each positioned in fixed location relative to the support. In operation, a drive unit moves the first tracking device in a first direction along or within the first guide and continued operation of the drive unit in the first direction causes the second tracking device to enter the second guide, and further continued operation of the drive unit in the first direction causes the first tracking device to continue moving in the first guide in the first direction and causes the second tracking device to move along the second guide and to cause pivotal movement of the second guide to thereby tilt the support.

Abstract: A lift arm controller for a refuse truck has a lift arm, a gripper dimensioned for gripping and holding a refuse container, a carriage on the lift arm to translate along it and a gripper mounted on the carriage. A lift actuator is operationally attached to the carriage to translate the carriage, gripper and the refuse container along the lift arm. At least one sensor is configured to sense when the carriage is entering a near end portion of the lift arm and a signal to a controller. The controller is in operative communication with the sensor and the lift actuator and is configured to signal the lift actuator to operate at a slower speed when a signal is received from the sensor. The sensor may be an inclinometer. The inclinometer may also be used to maintain the gripper in a substantially level orientation.

Abstract: A refuse collection assembly for a refuse collection vehicle mounts to a intermediate container on the refuse collection vehicle. The refuse receptacle collection assembly can grasp a refuse receptacle at curbside, at street side, or forward of the intermediate container in any location over a one hundred eighty degree arc. The collection assembly grasps the receptacle and locates it above the intermediate container and tilts it sufficiently to empty the contents of the receptacle in the intermediate container. The collection assembly then returns the receptacle upright to its previous location or to any location to the right, left or forward of the refuse collection assembly. The refuse receptacle collection assembly includes a rail extending along a wall of the intermediate container, a carriage selectively movable along the rail, and a receptacle engaging assembly supported by the carriage for grasping the refuse receptacle.

Abstract: An adapter to allow a sideloading refuse collection body to empty a rear loading container having trunnions. The adapter has a pair of spaced apart trunnion pockets to receive opposing trunnions of the container. A pair of lock arms on the adapter can be lowered against the tops of opposing sides of the container to lock the container in the trunnion pockets and against a stabilizer which engages the front wall of the container. The adapter includes a guide plate aligned with and extending from the front wall of the container. Lift arms on the collection body are joined to opposing sides of the adapter.

Abstract: Biomass may become an important source of combustible fuel in the future. For biomass, such as switchgrass, to be economically viable as a fuel, the processes required to take the plant material from a green, growing plant in the field to an energy dense package must be efficient. A self-propelled bale picking truck simplifies and speeds bale collecting, stacking, and staging for loading onto a truck for transport over the road.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for transferring an object from a lower accessible position to a higher storage position, which is particularly useful on vehicles. The present invention also relates to a method of transferring an object from a lower accessible position to a higher storage position.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electronic component mounting apparatus which is applicable to a case in which component feeding devices need not be provided on both sides of a carrying device respectively for reasons of types of electronic components or a setting space and increases an operating rate of a beam to enhance production efficiency. An electronic component mounting apparatus has a carrying device carrying a printed board, a component feeding device supplying electronic components, a pair of beams movable in one direction by drive sources, and mounting heads each having suction nozzles and movable along the beams by drive sources.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an electronic component mounting apparatus which is applicable to a case in which component feeding devices need not be provided on both sides of a carrying device respectively for reasons of types of electronic components or a setting space and increases an operating rate of a beam to enhance production efficiency. An electronic component mounting apparatus has a carrying device carrying a printed board, a component feeding device supplying electronic components, a pair of beams movable in one direction by drive sources, and mounting heads each having suction nozzles and movable along the beams by drive sources.

Abstract: A system for singling and transferring objects comprises an inlet area and an outlet area for objects from the system, transfer means for transferring such objects comprising containment members, and retrieval means for retrieving and depositing such objects in the containment members. The transfer means may be actuated, in use, independently of the retrieval means so as to transfer one or more objects to the outlet area.

Abstract: A container handling mechanism suitable for mounting on the side of a refuse vehicle for loading material from refuse containers is disclosed that includes a lift assembly, having a pair of spaced, generally parallel lift support members, attachable to a refuse vehicle, a carriage device reciprocally operable along the lift support members of the lift assembly, a container grabbing system carried by the carriage device and further including a pair of opposed grabber fingers and an actuator system for closing and opening the grabber fingers to engage and release containers of interest, the container grabbing system being vertically pivotable on a short radius for adjusting the position of and tipping a container. A chain and cylinder drive system operates the carriage device along the lift assembly, and a control system controls operation of the container handling mechanism.

Abstract: This invention includes in some embodiments a secure compactor truck system with a truck cab operationally attached to a truck chassis, a generally enclosed framework operationally attached to the chassis, the framework including a feedstock inlet and a feedstock outlet, a feedstock lift attached to one of the framework and the chassis, and disposed to lift feedstock containers to the feedstock inlet, and a normally closed secure feedstock inlet door which is configured to open when the feedstock lift provides a feedstock container to the feedstock inlet. Additional embodiments may further include a generally enclosed feedstock container compartment within the framework for storing at least one feedstock container.

Abstract: A refuse receptacle lifter is disclosed that is mounted on a transporter secured to the front end of a collection vehicle rearwardly of an associated collection container. The transporter is adapted to move the lifter in a generally side-to-side direction relative to the collection container in order to move the lifter between a retracted position and a position in which it is spaced from the collection container so that it can engage a refuse receptacle. If the collection vehicle does not have a collection container. being carried on the front of the vehicle, the lifter may be moved to stored position generally adjacent to the front end of the vehicle.

Abstract: Refuse collection apparatus including a collection container grasping mechanism and a lifting and dumping mechanism. The grasping mechanism includes a pair of grasping arms mounted for movement between an at-rest position and a grasping position, springs attached to the grasping arms so as to bias the grasping arms into the at-rest position, and a first hydraulic cylinder attached to an activating element for moving the grasping arms from the at-rest position into the grasping position. The lifting and dumping mechanism is coupled to the grasping mechanism for moving the grasping mechanism from a refuse container grasping position to a dumping position. The lifting and dumping mechanism includes elongated linking arms and a driving hydraulic cylinder coupled in a four point movement for simultaneously lifting and rotating the grasping mechanism from the refuse container grasping position into the dumping position.

Abstract: A load transport device includes a deck suitable for supporting large square agricultural bales thereon. Side portions extending along opposing longitudinal sides of the deck are supported for movement relative to one another in a lateral direction so that a horizontal spacing therebetween is adjustable to accommodate various load sizes. A clamping force can be applied to the side portions for urging the side portions towards one another to clamp a load between the side portions for safe highway transport.

Abstract: An apparatus to load, transport, stack, retrieve and feed bales of hay can be run by a single operator. A vehicle frame supports an operator cab forward of a tiltable bed. A track begins near the ground in front of the cab and proceeds back toward to bed to above the cab. Bales are picked up at the front of the cab and transported to above the cab along the track. Loaded bales are then released onto the bed which is inclined to meet the end of the track. Loaded bales are stacked on the ground by tilting the bed to a near vertical position and driving the apparatus away from the stack.

Abstract: A multi-well microfiltration apparatus and method are provided and feature a manual touch-off system for transferring pendent drops hanging from discharge-conduits of a discharge-conduit array to respective receiving wells or receiving holes of a corresponding receiving array, with minimum or no cross-contamination between the discharge conduits, or the receiving wells or receiving holes. The manual touch-off is achieved by manually shifting a carriage that supports one of the arrays, into a position whereat pendent drops of fluid hanging from the distal ends of the discharge conduits contact the inner sidewalls of the corresponding receiving wells or receiving holes of the receiving array.

Abstract: The present invention presents novel features for providing a lightweight, structurally rigid collection body comprising a loading assembly for dumping refuse into an elevated hopper; a reception area for refuse dumped into the hopper; a storage area for storage and compaction of refuse; a packer assembly for compression of the refuse within the storage area; a tailgate providing access to the storage area; a latching mechanism for the tailgate; and an actuation system comprised of hydraulic and electrical components for controlling the operation thereof. The collection body is self-contained and sufficiently rigid for mounting on the chassis of a vehicle without major vehicle modifications. Its walls are constructed of an inner wall, an outer wall, an upper frame member and a lower triangular member, forming a light weight, composite sidewall structure which resists bending and buckling. The inner wall may be easily replaced when damaged without replacement of the outer wall.

Abstract: The present invention presents novel features for providing a lightweight, structurally rigid collection body comprising a loading assembly for dumping refuse into an elevated hopper; a reception area for refuse dumped into the hopper; a storage area for storage and compaction of refuse; a packer assembly for compression of the refuse within the storage area; a tailgate providing access to the storage area; a latching mechanism for the tailgate; and an actuation system comprised of hydraulic and electrical components for controlling the operation thereof. The collection body is self-contained and sufficiently rigid for mounting on the chassis of a vehicle without major vehicle modifications. Its walls are constructed of an inner wall, an outer wall, an upper frame member and a lower triangular member, forming a light weight, composite sidewall structure which resists bending and buckling. The inner wall may be easily replaced when damaged without replacement of the outer wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lifting and tipping device for emptying containers into the loading opening of a collecting container, especially for emptying refuse containers (50) into the collecting container (12) of a refuse truck (10). The lifting and tipping device (5) has a swivel drive device (32) in the area of the loading opening (14) to which at least one swivel arm (38) with a device (46) for receiving a container is connected with a non-positive fit. The aim of the invention is to provide a lifting and tipping device (5a, 5b) which is as compact as possible and in which the device (46) for receiving a container moves substantially from the bottom upwards without a significant horizontal component when it take hold of the refuse container (50).

Abstract: The vehicle for collecting, sorting and reducing the volume of recyclable wastes and regular household and commercial garbage includes a large container with plural compartments mounted to the exterior of the vehicle includes a lifting mechanism for lifting the container to the top of the vehicle so that its contents can be dropped through chutes into plural bins. The lifting mechanism assures that the integrity of the sort of recyclables into each compartment of the container is maintained as the waste drops from the compartments through the chutes into individual bins. Between the chutes and the bins are crushers and shredders for reducing of volume of wastes deposited in the bins. Other wastes are placed in balers for baling. The bales of wastes are stored in a rack under the vehicle's housing. Crushing, shredding and baling not only reduces volume but allows the vehicle to collect wastes from more homes than without these on-board capabilities.

Abstract: An improved container dumping apparatus is described for automatically lifting residential refuse containers to an elevated position and dumping them into the elevated access area of a collection tank. A carriage with gripping arms is guided up the vertical portion of a set of tracks. The tracks transition into a curved portion at the top end which inverts the container over the access area through movement along the curved track. The carriage is self-powered by a hydraulic motor mounted on the carriage. The dumping apparatus uses an rack and pinion arrangement for forcibly elevating the carriage, with the rack being parallel to the set of tracks and the pinion mounted on the shaft of the motor on the carriage. A piston operated power assistance apparatus is located coincident with the curved portion of the track to engage the carriage as it approaches the curved portion, to provide additional power to aid movement of the carriage over the curved portion, and to control its speed.

Abstract: A loading device including a guide frame, a drive mechanism and a lift mechanism. The guide frame includes a pair of spaced apart upright members each having a slot formed therethrough. The drive mechanism is coupled to the guide frame and has a shaft received concurrently through the slots of the guide frame, a sprocket mounted on the shaft, a belt member wrapped about the sprocket and having opposing ends anchored to the guide frame, and a motor coupled to the shaft for reciprocating the shaft vertically within the slots between an upper position and a lower position. Movement of the shaft toward the upper position produces rotation of the shaft in a first direction and a movement of the shaft toward the lower position rotates the shaft in an opposing direction. The lift mechanism is coupled to the drive mechanism and includes a pair of arms each having an end coupled to the shaft and another end coupled to a carriage.

Abstract: Side-loading refuse vehicles are disclosed including an offset or recessed hopper section having at least one recessed side which accommodates a loading bin or bucket which is moveable between a lowered position and a raised dumping position. Followers attached to the bucket on each end are engaged in candy cane shaped guide channels situated at the front and rear of the hopper. The guide channels are angled away from the base of the hopper and curved into the top of the hopper to guide the bucket in an angled and arcuate path over the sidewall of the hopper which is built to accommodate the bucket. In some embodiments, a bin handler is built in to the bucket or an automated arm is provided for dumping refuse cans or containers directly into the hopper. The refuse vehicles may have side-loading buckets on one or both sides of the vehicle and the vehicles may be single or multiple compartment vehicles.

Abstract: A refuse collection container for mounting on a vehicle. The container is particularly suitable for separating and compacting recyclable materials due to the provision of a longitudinally extending diagonal partition. The container has a pair of refuse receiving buckets preferably adapted to be raised into alignment with apertures in the front wall of the container. Recyclable materials, sorted by type in the buckets, are then moved into the container by a compactor blade in each bucket. Discharge of the materials is facilitated by providing for swinging movement of the partition prior to the vehicle being in the dumping position. The partition is extensible so that when positioned diagonally with respect to side walls of the container, the partition extends to the discharge end of the container.

Abstract: Side-loading refuse vehicles are disclosed including an offset or recessed hopper section having at least one recessed side which accommodates a loading bin or bucket which is moveable between a lowered position and a raised dumping position. Followers attached to the bucket on each end are engaged in candy cane shaped guide channels situated at the front and rear of the hopper. The guide channels are angled away from the base of the hopper and curved into the top of the hopper to guide the bucket in an angled and arcuate path over the sidewall of the hopper which is built to accommodate the bucket. In some embodiments, a bin handler is built in to the bucket or an automated arm is provided for dumping refuse cans or containers directly into the hopper. The refuse vehicles may have side-loading buckets on one or both sides of the vehicle and the vehicles may be single or multiple compartment vehicles.

Abstract: A vacuum tank apparatus for use with oil and gas well drilling operations facilitates the removal of well cuttings generated by drilling. The tank apparatus provides a frame having a plurality of corners reinforced by structural corner columns. The frame includes a base having a structural, generally horizontally extended base that includes a plurality of base perimeter beams. The columns are connected structurally to the base at the perimeter beams. The upper end portion of the frame includes a plurality of upper perimeter beams. The columns are structurally connected to the base and the perimeter beams. A shaped hopper is supported by the frame internally of the perimeter beams. The hopper includes an interior and a sidewall comprised of a plurality of inclined wall sections. Each wall section includes an upper end portion that connects to the frame at the perimeter beams, and a lower end portion that extends to another lower end portion of another inclined wall section.

Abstract: A hollow refuse storage body having a longitudinal axis is configured for mounting on a truck chassis. The body has a forward hopper section and a rear section with an open rear end. A tailgate is mounted to the rear section of the refuse storage body and is moveable between closed and open positions to seal and unseal the open rear end of the rear section of the refuse storage body. A hollow box-like load eject blade is mounted within the refuse storage body for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal axis along a bottom floor of the refuse storage body. A hollow box-like packer blade is mounted within the refuse storage body for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal axis overlapping an upper surface of the eject blade. A pair of single stage hydraulic cylinders are coupled in crisscross fashion between the refuse storage body and the packer blade for moving the packer blade over a first range of travel.

Abstract: A collection vehicle including a material handling system, storage body, compaction system, storage system, and dump system all of which have contact surface areas, wherein the surface areas are self-lubricating. The surface areas may be found in the vehicle's fluid biased cylinder bushings, tailgate hinges, storage body pivot joints, articulated joints, rotation joints, and slides. The self-lubricating, low friction, surface areas reduce wear and repair associated with conventional collection vehicle.

Abstract: A dumping system for various types of refuse containers is able to handle one hook or two hook containers. A simple adjustment to the lifting head moves the engaging pins into position to handle the appropriate container. In the one-hook configuration, one pin is shifted to an inoperative position.

Abstract: A refuse loader with vehicle mounted guide rails which includes a pair of guide rails at least one of which has a longitudinally extending gear profile. A trolley is provided having a motor and at least one driven gear driven by the motor. The driven gear engages the longitudinally extending gear profile. Guide rollers keep the trolley engaged with the guide rails. Outwardly extending lift arms fixedly attached to the trolley are provided for detachably securing a refuse container to the trolley. When the motor is activated, the driven gear rotates and the trolley moves relative to the guide rails as the driven gear moves along the longitudinally extending gear profile.

Abstract: A hollow refuse storage body having a longitudinal axis is configured for mounting on a truck chassis. The body has a forward hopper section and a rear section with an open rear end. A tailgate is mounted to the rear section of the refuse storage body and is moveable between closed and open positions to seal and unseal the open rear end of the rear section of the refuse storage body. A hollow box-like load eject blade is mounted within the refuse storage body for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal axis along a bottom floor of the refuse storage body. A hollow box-like packer blade is mounted within the refuse storage body for reciprocating movement along the longitudinal axis overlapping an upper surface of the eject blade. A pair of single stage hydraulic cylinders are coupled in criss-cross fashion between the refuse storage body and the packer blade for moving the packer blade over a first range of travel.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle having multiple compartments for recyclable material is provided with a compacting assembly that includes a sub-compartment that does not change in size during compaction operations.

Abstract: An oil well cuttings disposal tank apparatus of improved construction provides a tank body having an interior and a plurality of side walls, a plurality of end walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall with a discharge opening at one end portion thereof. The discharge opening communicates with the intersection of the top wall and one of the end walls. A hatch is provided for opening and closing the discharge opening. A plurality of lifting plates are attached to the side walls and extend upwardly from the top wall, each of the lifting plates having openings or eyelets for attaching lifting lines thereto. A stacking beam is associated with each lifting plate, each stacking beam extending from the top wall upwardly a distance and attaching to the lifting plate at a position above the top wall. Each stacking beam has a load bearing surface that extends laterally from its lifting plate inwardly toward an opposite stacking beam and the central portion of the tank.

Abstract: Side-loading refuse vehicles are disclosed including an offset or recessed hopper section having at least one recessed side which accommodates a loading bin or bucket which is moveable between a lowered position and a raised dumping position. Followers attached to the bucket on each end are engaged in candy cane shaped guide channels situated at the front and rear of the hopper. The guide channels are angled away from the base of the hopper and curved into the top of the hopper to guide the bucket in an angled and arcuate path over the sidewall of the hopper which is built to accommodate the bucket. In some embodiments, a bin handler is built into the bucket or an automated arm is provided for dumping refuse cans or containers directly into the hopper. The refuse vehicles may have side-loading buckets on one or both sides of the vehicle and the vehicles may be single or multiple compartment vehicles.