Abstract: This apparatus relates to improved replaceable wear shoes for use with the slide guides of rear-loading refuse trucks.

Abstract: A selectively deployable auxiliary wheel system for a refuse collecting vehicle includes a pair of spaced tag axle assemblies. The system can be used with any type of refuse vehicle and is designed to mount either to the truck or the tailgate. Each assembly includes a suspension system including an axle mounting lever carried by a transverse tag pivot shaft and carrying a stub axle and a wheel on the stub axle. A fluid operated tag axle deployment system is used for applying forces to control the deployment of the tag axle between a ground engaging vehicle supporting position and a stowed position. In one embodiment, the system uses a pair of fixed pneumatic springs and a pair of torque arm levers to pivot the axle mounting lever such that the displacement of one of the levers relative to stationary mounting supports raises or lowers the axle mounting lever.

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 replaceable load bearing slide system for carrying an ejector mechanism slidably along in spaced parallel ejector rails includes an elongated substantially rectangular slide member for slidably supporting one side of an ejector mechanism in a rail having one side attached along one side of the ejector mechanism at rail level by removable bolts or screws. The elongated member being configured to be slidably accommodated in an ejector rail of matching shape and having optional wear strips attached to the three exposed surfaces thereof designed to contact the inner surfaces of the rail.

Abstract: Loading mechanisms for front loading refuse trucks provided with fluid cylinder operated lift arms and associated fluid cylinder operated lift forks are provided with an improved operating system which allows the lift forks to attain one working position limit for tipping containers and an additional stowage position limit allowing the truck to travel with the arms fully raised.

Abstract: Loading mechanisms for front loading refuse trucks provided with fluid cylinder operated lift arms and associated fluid cylinder operated lift forks are provided with an improved operating system which allows the lift forks to attain one working position limit for tipping containers and an additional stowage position limit allowing the truck to travel with the arms fully raised.

Abstract: A multi-compartment refuse and/or collection vehicle having an automated container handling mechanism that may automatically lift and dump a container into a preselected corresponding charging hopper of the vehicle. A microprocessor controls the extension, lift and lateral position of the container handling mechanism and analyzes the output voltage of potentiometers coupled to the container handling mechanism to thereby coordinate actuation of the container handling mechanism and smoothly pick up the container from the curbside, dump the container into the preselected corresponding charging hopper, and return the container to the same position on the curbside but above the ground a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A refuse collection apparatus including a container lifting and emptying apparatus connected to a collection receptacle which is dumped into a refuse hauling vehicle. The container lifting and emptying apparatus includes a container manipulator attached to a support arm which is connected to an extensible boom which is, in turn, connected to the collection receptacle. The container manipulator engages a container of interest and the support arm pivots the engaged container between a lowered position and a raised position for dumping. The collection receptacle typically includes multiple compartments wherein the support arm includes a pendulum pivot or is pivotally attached to the collection receptacle such that the engaged container may be tilted over any one of a plurality of the storage compartments. Another version of the collection apparatus includes a collection receptacle having three or four compartments wherein one compartment is adjacent and between the manipulator and a far storage compartment.

Abstract: A refuse collection apparatus and method including a container lifting and emptying apparatus connected to a collection receptacle which is dumped into a refuse hauling vehicle. The container lifting and emptying apparatus includes a container manipulator attached to a support arm which is connected to an extensible boom which is, in turn, connected to the collection receptacle. The container manipulator engages a container of interest and the support arm pivots the engaged container between a lowered position and a raised position for dumping. The collection receptacle typically includes multiple compartments wherein the support arm includes a pendulum pivot or is pivotally attached to the collection receptacle such that the engaged container may be tilted over any one of a plurality of the storage compartments.

Abstract: A loading device mounted to a collection vehicle is disclosed. The loading device may comprise several embodiments for scooping a soft-sided object through either a horizontal or vertical plane. The loading device is attached to a mechanized arm for compound angular displacement and operable between a stowed, extended, lift, and dump positions. A swivel mount interconnects the mechanized arm to the collection vehicle and further compounds the angular displacement and operating positions of the loading device.

Abstract: A side loading refuse vehicle has a forward receiving hopper and a storage compartment wherein the floor of the receiving hopper is dropped to a relatively lower level than the floor of the storage compartment. The storage compartment and the receiving hopper floors are connected by a ramped floor. The material receiving opening in the receiving hopper is at a correspondingly lower level to make manual loading easier. The side loading refuse vehicle also includes a chassis having a ramped portion and a dropped chassis for supporting the ramped floor and receiving hopper. A mechanized lifting and emptying apparatus is situated on one side of the receiving hopper such that a container of interest may be engaged on that side and emptied through the material receiving opening into the receiving hopper. The mechanized lifting and emptying apparatus includes a telescoping boom holding a supporting arm and a container grabber for engaging a container of interest.

Abstract: A loading device mounted to a collection vehicle is disclosed. The loading device may comprise several embodiments for scooping a soft-sided object through either a horizontal or vertical plane. The loading device is attached to a mechanized arm for compound angular displacement and operable between a stowed, extended, lift, and dump positions. A swivel mount interconnects the mechanized arm to the collection vehicle and further compounds the angular displacement and operating positions of the loading device.

Abstract: An ejection assisting device is provided in a material handling apparatus for handling refuse or recyclables relative to a collection vehicle to dislodge material not discharged by gravity in a gravity induced material unloading system.

Abstract: A multi-compartment collection vehicle having a packing apparatus and a multi-compartment storage body wherein the packing apparatus includes a charging hopper divided into upper and lower portions each having corresponding dual linear packers. The upper charging hopper and upper compartment of the multi-compartment storage body are connected by a ramped floor. The dividing floor of the multi-compartment storage body is ramped from a relatively lower level aligned with the upper charging portion to a higher level defining the major longitudinal portion of the dividing floor. The ramped floor arrangement increases the holding capacity of the upper portion of the charging hopper, without significantly decreasing the holding capacity of the lower storage compartment.

Abstract: Grasping devices including arms pivotally connected to a support member and moved by actuators pivotally connected between the arms and the support member are described. The arms may be either single or multiple member limbs shaped to engage a variety of geometrically shaped objects. Multiple member embodiments include an outer member pivotally connected to an inner member which is pivotally connected to the support member. Each arm may carry a suction cup. The support members of each embodiment may be connected to any lifting device, such as a compound arm attached to a refuse truck.

Abstract: A packing and ejecting system for a front or side loading refuse vehicle for packing refuse from a charging hopper into an associated storage body and fully ejecting the refuse from a rearward portion of the storage body without tilting the storage body. A loading device may be used to load refuse or recyclables from the front or side of the vehicle into the charging hopper. A packing and ejecting device may be mounted within the charging hopper without reducing the holding capacity of the charging hopper.

Abstract: A refuse and/or collection vehicle having an automated container handling mechanism that may automatically lift and dump a container into a charging hopper of the vehicle. A microprocessor controls the extension and lift of the container handling mechanism and analyzes the output voltage of potentiometers coupled to the container handling mechanism to thereby coordinate actuation of the container handling mechanism and smoothly pick up the container from the curbside, dump the container in the charging hopper, and return the container to the same position on the curbside but above the ground a predetermined distance.

Abstract: Vehicle mounted container handling devices including a rotating swivel mount and an articulated arm connected to the swivel mount are disclosed. The swivel mount includes a housing operable to rotate about a shaft in a first plane. The articulated arm is attached at one end to the housing and disposed to pivot in a second plane which intersects the first plane. A grasping device is pivotally connected to the free end of the articulated arm for pivoting in the second plane. In operation, with the grasping device opened, the articulated arm is extended to reach out toward a container of interest. The swivel mount is operated to pivot the articulated arm as required for the grasping device to engage the container. The articulated arm is operated further to lift and dump the container in the vehicle above the swivel mount addressing a variety of dumping locations.

Abstract: A container handling apparatus for receiving, engaging and releasing exchangeable chassis mounted containers, which may be truck bodies, or the like, capable of readily locking and unlocking a truck body to a supporting chassis is disclosed that is self-contained on the chassis. A truck body or container which may be self-supporting is also disclosed.

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.