Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a wheeled chassis, a lift arm, and a grabber. The lift arm is coupled to the wheeled chassis and operable to lift a refuse container. The grabber is coupled to a distal end of the lift arm and operable to grab the refuse container. The grabber includes a first arm that has non-uniform physical properties that vary along its length such that the first arm has a stiffness that varies along its length. A first section of the first arm has a lower stiffness than other sections of the first arm. The second arm faces and cooperates with the first arm to clamp and engage the refuse container.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a telescopic arm, a sensor, and a processor. The telescopic arm includes an outer boom defining a bore, an inner boom received in the bore of the outer boom, and a bearing pad received in the bore and located between an exterior surface of the inner boom and an interior surface of the outer boom. The sensor is configured to output data indicating a position of a load-bearing limb of the telescopic arm. The processor is configured to receive data output from the sensor and determine a wear-state of the bearing pad based on the position.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a telescopic arm, a sensor, and a processor. The telescopic arm includes an outer boom defining a bore, an inner boom received in the bore of the outer boom, and a bearing pad received in the bore and located between an exterior surface of the inner boom and an interior surface of the outer boom. The sensor is configured to output data indicating a position of a load-bearing limb of the telescopic arm. The processor is configured to receive data output from the sensor and determine a wear-state of the bearing pad based on the position.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a telescopic arm, a sensor, and a processor. The telescopic arm includes an outer boom defining a bore, an inner boom received in the bore of the outer boom, and a bearing pad received in the bore and located between an exterior surface of the inner boom and an interior surface of the outer boom. The sensor is configured to output data indicating a position of a load-bearing limb of the telescopic arm. The processor is configured to receive data output from the sensor and determine a wear-state of the bearing pad based on the position.

Abstract: A refuse vehicle body includes an electrically actuated, rack and pinion tailgate actuation system. A tailgate is rotationally coupled to the body and configured to rotate between closed and open positions. The tailgate actuation system may be supported by the body and/or tailgate and is configured rotate the tailgate between the closed and open position. The tailgate actuation system may further optionally include a locking mechanism configured to lock and unlock the tailgate in the closed position using the same electrically powered rotary actuator that opens and closes the tailgate.