Abstract: A telescopic side arm for a refuse vehicle has an inner and outer boom. A mounting assembly secures the outer boom with a refuse vehicle. A plurality of bearing pads is positioned between the inner and outer booms to provide smooth movement between the inner and outer booms. A plurality of shims is associated with the bearing pads to assure a tight fit between the inner and outer booms.

Abstract: A scrambling method of data on a J1939 communication system of a vehicle involves at least moving data from one of a PGN and a PGN/SPN location to another PGN or PGN/SPN location at a first controller on the vehicle before transmitting data and then re-ordering the data at a second controller. Some embodiments further comprise encrypting data either before or after shifting, but before transmitting so as to further complicate efforts to interpret meaningful data from the transmission. The second controller may be on the vehicle or may be remotely located.

Abstract: A multi-use garbage truck has an ability to not only to front load containers of garbage into a hopper in a refuse collection body, but also an ability to swap out the forks, if not arm connection assemblies, or even entire frame arms, to be replaced with one of a plurality of attachments which connect to at least one, if not both frame arms with attachments for various uses such as snow plow, leaf blower, street sweeper, bucket, grapple, etc. Furthermore, an ability to independently operate the left frame arm relative to the right frame arm can now be provided so that the left frame arm can utilize and perform one function and the right frame arm provide another or at least be independently operable from one another.

Abstract: A grabber assembly has a beam assembly with a bracket. A grabber gear assembly is coupled with the bracket. The grabber gear assembly has a pair of gear mechanisms coupled with the bracket. Each gear mechanism has a shaft and a pair of thrust bearings, one at each end of the shaft. A grabber arm mounting pad is coupled with each shaft. A gear section is coupled with each shaft. The gear sections of each shaft mesh with one another to drive the grabber arm mounting pads. An actuating driver is coupled with one of the shafts to drive the grabber gear assembly and move the arms between an open and grasping position.

Abstract: An automatic control system for a refuse vehicle includes a mode select switch disposed within the vehicle that generates a mode select signal based on input from an operator of the vehicle, a control mechanism disposed within the vehicle that operates in response to the mode select signal, and a plurality of sensors adapted to sense a plurality of characteristics of the vehicle and adapted to communicate the plurality of sensed characteristics. The system further includes a control module that receives control instructions from the control mechanism and selectively controls at least one component of a plurality of components of the vehicle based on the mode select signal, at least one of the plurality of sensed characteristics, and the control instructions.

Abstract: A weight based load limiting system for a refuse vehicle. The system includes a weight determination module that generates a signal that varies in accordance with a vehicle weight. If the vehicle weight approaches or exceeds a predetermined maximum weight, the signal inhibits a portion of the loading or packing operation to prevent overloading the vehicle. In various configurations, the inhibiting can be to prevent a lifting of a refuse container to prevent empting the container into the vehicle hopper. In other various configurations, the inhibiting occurs by maintaining engine power to less than the engine power typically output during a packing operation.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled tank body having an integrated heat transfer panel is disclosed. The tank body may be mounted to a truck, trailer, or other mobile equipment and used for transporting a fluid at a temperature that is greater than that of the ambient environment. In an illustrative embodiment, the tank includes a barrel segment having a first sheet and an adjacent second sheet. The first sheet is joined to the second sheet along a first edge and a second, opposing edge. The first sheet is also joined to the second sheet at a plurality of locations between the first edge and second, opposing edge and enclosed at the ends to form a fluidly-sealed area. The tank includes a fluid inlet to facilitate pressurization of the fluidly-sealed area to generate a hydroformed cavity between the first sheet and the second sheet.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle has a tailgate. The tailgate has a framework to secure CNG tanks. A cover overlays the frame work to provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle has a mechanism to prohibit operation of a snow plow attached to the refuse vehicle. A sensor associated with the storage bin of the refuse vehicle. The sensor sends a signal to a controller to prohibit operation of the snow plow in response to the storage bin payload. The mechanism prohibits lowering of the snow plow in a condition when the payload in the storage bin is such that the load on the front axle of the refuse vehicle would exceed legal limits.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle has a tailgate. The tailgate has a framework to secure CNG tanks. A cover overlays the frame work to provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a refuse vehicle includes a first control valve that operates a first hydraulically controlled mechanism and a second control valve that operates a second hydraulically controlled mechanism. The control mechanism also includes a plurality of switches and a pneumatic control mechanism. The plurality of switches generates a valve select signal and a mode signal. The pneumatic control mechanism selectively controls the first control valve and the second control valve based on the valve select signal and the mode signal. An operator of the refuse vehicle actuates the plurality of switches while the operator is operating the pneumatic control mechanism.

Abstract: A track and guide system for a refuse vehicle has at least one track member mounted on a bumper of the refuse vehicle. The track member has a desired length extending transverse to the ground. At least one guide member is mounted on a front loading fork of the refuse vehicle. The at least one guide member contacts the at least one track member to prohibit horizontal movement of the front loading fork with respect to the refuse vehicle.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a refuse vehicle includes a first control valve that operates a first hydraulically controlled mechanism and a second control valve that operates a second hydraulically controlled mechanism. The control mechanism also includes a plurality of switches and a pneumatic control mechanism. The plurality of switches generates a valve select signal and a mode signal. The pneumatic control mechanism selectively controls the first control valve and the second control valve based on the valve select signal and the mode signal. An operator of the refuse vehicle actuates the plurality of switches while the operator is operating the pneumatic control mechanism.

Abstract: A trailer having an aerodynamic skirt that includes a valve access panel is disclosed. The trailer includes a tank for transporting cargo and a valve at the base of the tank for accessing unloading the cargo from the trailer. The aerodynamic skirt extends along a first side of the trailer body that includes the valve and a valve access panel that is configured to cover the valve when closed and to allow access to the valve when open. The apparatus also includes a trailer brake interlock that is communicatively coupled to the valve access panel and a trailer brake to restrict motion of the trailer when the valve access panel is open and to permit motion of the trailer when the valve access panel is closed.

Abstract: A bolt-on shaft and gear system includes a body assembly defining two spaced apart mounts. A powered grasping assembly includes a first pivot pin pivotally positioned in a first of the two mounts and a first gear section fixedly coupled to the first pivot pin. An actuating driver is attached between the body assembly and the powered grasping assembly for controllably rotating the powered grasping assembly about the first pivot pin. A follower grasping assembly includes a second pivot pin pivotally positioned in a second of the two mounts and a second gear section fixedly coupled to the second pivot pin, the second gear section is meshed with the first gear section so as to rotate with the powered grasping assembly in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A tank trailer for transporting corrosive fluids is disclosed that includes a chassis and one or more cradle supports supporting a corrosion-resistant tank. The chassis is formed from a first material that is a high-strength material. The corrosion-resistant tank has a substantially cylindrical body and a plurality of ring supports, with each such ring support surrounding and reinforcing at least a portion of the cylindrical body. The ring supports may be formed from a material that is the same as, or similar to, the first material used to form the chassis. The first material and second material are joined at interfaces between (1) the cylindrical body and the cradle supports and (2) the cylindrical body and the ring supports. The interfaces comprise a third material that is compatible with the first material and the second material.

Abstract: A telescopic side arm for a refuse vehicle has an inner and outer boom. A mounting assembly secures the outer boom with a refuse vehicle. A plurality of bearing pads is positioned between the inner and outer booms to provide smooth movement between the inner and outer booms. A plurality of shims is associated with the bearing pads to assure a tight fit between the inner and outer booms.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle has a tailgate. The tailgate has a framework to secure CNG tanks. A cover overlays the frame work to provide an aesthetic appearance to the vehicle.