Abstract: A trash compactor assembly including a cabinet supported upon a tubular framework and having an access opening in its front. A trash guide chute is disposed within the cabinet adjacent the opening for directing trash disposed therein downwardly so that it falls into a trash receptacle. The receptacle rests upon a base which is, in turn, connected to reaction arms which extend upwardly along the sides of the interior of the cabinet. The reaction arms support racks which are in meshing engagement with pinion gears connected to the respective ends of a shaft which is rotatably supported in a U-shaped drive frame. The U-shaped drive frame is slidably disposed within a box-like ram which is, in turn, suspended from the drive frame. Elastomeric blocks are disposed between the bottom of the drive frame and the bottom of the ram for compressing as the ram reaches a predetermined reaction force from the trash being compacted in the receptacle to provide a control signal.