Abstract: There is disclosed a refuse bin grabbing apparatus for grabbing a bin for movement to an elevated unloading position for emptying into a refuse truck including a power-driven linkage 5 for moving a bin-grasping clamp 2,3 towards inter-engagement with a refuse bin, the grasping clamp including articulated clamping arms 3 for embracing a refuse bin, the arms being fitted with a flexible belt 6 located between the clamping arms and a bin to be clamped so that the belt is tensioned in the bin engaging position; the articulated clamping arms are retractable to an out-of-the-way position (FIG. 1) to ensure that the clamping arms 3 do not protrude from the outer confines of the vehicle in the rest position.