Abstract: A locking assembly can achieve positive locking of a tailgate, by including a guideblock having a guide slot defined therein, a lockplate configured to be slidably received within the guide slot, and a clevis that is configured to operatively cooperate with the lockplate. A locking hook formed in the lockplate will capture a pin in the clevis to achieve the desired locking capabilities. A capture pin is removably coupled to the guideblock and positioned within a containment in the lockplate to control travel. An actuator is coupled at one end to a portion of the vehicle and at the other end to the lockplate in a manner to cause movement of the lockplate and subsequent movement of the tailgate in an opening direction.

Abstract: A grabber arm mechanism for use as part of a refuse collection vehicle has a mismatched pair of grabber fingers which are both arcuate, with a first grabber finger being longer than a second grabber finger. Due to the mismatch in size in the first grabber finger and the second grabber finger, the grabber mechanism is capable of handling a larger range of container sizes thereby providing increased capabilities for a refuse collection vehicle. The configuration of the fingers (mismatched) also provides advantages when dealing with smaller containers.

Abstract: A robust grabber arm for use as part of a refuse collection vehicle has an inner arm member and an outer arm member which are designed to have parallel beams coupled to one another so that a wide operating profile is created. Further, care is taken in configuring compounds so that each of the hinge points and coupling points are accessible for service and maintenance purposes. To provide additional consistency, common bearings and hinge pins are used throughout, so that maintenance and possible replacement can be easily achieved.

Abstract: A locking assembly can achieve positive locking of a tailgate, by including a guideblock having a guide slot defined therein, a lockplate configured to be slidably received within the guide slot, and a clevis that is configured to operatively cooperate with the lockplate. A locking hook formed in the lockplate will capture a pin in the clevis to achieve the desired locking capabilities. A capture pin is removably coupled to the guideblock and positioned within a containment in the lockplate to control travel. An actuator is coupled at one end to a portion of the vehicle and at the other end to the lockplate in a manner to cause movement of the lockplate and subsequent movement of the tailgate in an opening direction.

Abstract: A robust grabber arm for use as part of a refuse collection vehicle has an inner arm member and an outer arm member which are designed to have parallel beams coupled to one another so that a wide operating profile is created. Further, care is taken in configuring compounds so that each of the hinge points and coupling points are accessible for service and maintenance purposes. To provide additional consistency, common bearings and hinge pins are used throughout, so that maintenance and possible replacement can be easily achieved.

Abstract: A robust grabber arm for use as part of a refuse collection vehicle has an inner arm member and an outer arm member which are designed to have parallel beams coupled to one another so that a wide operating profile is created. Further, care is taken in configuring compounds so that each of the hinge points and coupling points are accessible for service and maintenance purposes. To provide additional consistency, common bearings and hinge pins are used throughout, so that maintenance and possible replacement can be easily achieved.

Abstract: To provide additional flexibility for a refuse collection vehicle, a removable fender panels are used on an outside portion of the main collection body. The removable fender panels are formed to have a sloped section that will cause rain, snow and other materials to naturally drain from the panel, thus helping to maintain the appearance of the vehicle. Since the fender panels are removable, they can be easily replaced when excessive signs of wear begin to appear. Further, this provides further flexibility during the manufacturing process since the panels can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials including steel, stainless steel, aluminum and many non-metallic materials.

Abstract: A grabber arm mechanism for use as part of a refuse collection vehicle has a mismatched pair of grabber fingers which are both arcuate, with a first grabber finger being longer than a second grabber finger. Due to the mismatch in size in the first grabber finger and the second grabber finger, the grabber mechanism is capable of handling a larger range of container sizes thereby providing increased capabilities for a refuse collection vehicle. The configuration of the fingers (mismatched) also provides advantages when dealing with smaller containers.

Abstract: A robust grabber arm for use as part of a refuse collection vehicle has an inner arm member and an outer arm member which are designed to have parallel beams coupled to one another so that a wide operating profile is created. Further, care is taken in configuring compounds so that each of the hinge points and coupling points are accessible for service and maintenance purposes. To provide additional consistency, common bearings and hinge pins are used throughout, so that maintenance and possible replacement can be easily achieved.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a collection mechanism having a collection hopper which accommodates the collection of refuse by dumping into the collection hopper. A bolt-on load edge bracket is configured to be attached to a portion of the collection mechanism adjacent the collection hopper, is capable of defining an adjustable rear load edge based upon where the attachment is made. By using a separate bolt-on load edge bracket, the rear of the collection vehicle can be tailored to accommodate various load edge heights, and to allow several alternative tipper mechanisms to be the easily attached thereto.

Abstract: A refuse collection vehicle includes a collection mechanism having a collection hopper which accommodates the collection of refuse by dumping into the collection hopper. A bolt-on load edge bracket is configured to be attached to a portion of the collection mechanism adjacent the collection hopper, is capable of defining an adjustable rear load edge based upon where the attachment is made. By using a separate bolt-on load edge bracket, the rear of the collection vehicle can be tailored to accommodate various load edge heights, and to allow several alternative tipper mechanisms to be the easily attached thereto.

Abstract: To provide additional flexibility for a refuse collection vehicle, a removable fender panels are used on an outside portion of the main collection body. The removable fender panels are formed to have a sloped section that will cause rain, snow and other materials to naturally drain from the panel, thus helping to maintain the appearance of the vehicle. Since the fender panels are removable, they can be easily replaced when excessive signs of wear begin to appear. Further, this provides further flexibility during the manufacturing process since the panels can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials including steel, stainless steel, aluminum and many non-metallic materials.

Abstract: A delivery chute for use on a concrete mixer truck has automated systems to allow for repositioning and reconfiguration without requiring an operator to manipulate components. The chute is configured to have multiple segments that can be folded/nested with one another for transport and can be positioned in an extended configuration thereby forming a continuous delivery surface for purposes of delivering concrete to a desired location. Powered mechanisms are used to reposition these segments, thus eliminating the need for operators to handle chute segments at all. A control system is provided to coordinate operation of components so proper sequences are followed during folding, unfolding, raising, lowering and swinging operations. An operator can control each of these operations using a remote control, having single buttons to carry out specific operations.

Abstract: A collection body is designed and coordinated so that equipment and frequently serviced components can be easily accessed by any operator while also staying away from lanes of traffic. The collection body is further designed so the main hopper is substantially rectangular, so that sidewalls are continuous and support operation of ejection pushers and related component. This configuration is also coordinated with the collection hopper and other collection mechanisms, so that overall coordination of all components is efficient and effective.

Abstract: A delivery chute for use on a concrete mixer truck has automated systems to allow for repositioning and reconfiguration without requiring an operator to manipulate components. The chute is configured to have multiple segments that can be folded/nested with one another for transport and can be positioned in an extended configuration thereby forming a continuous delivery surface for purposes of delivering concrete to a desired location. Powered mechanisms are used to reposition these segments, thus eliminating the need for operators to handle chute segments at all. A control system is provided to coordinate operation of components so proper sequences are followed during folding, unfolding, raising, lowering and swinging operations. An operator can control each of these operations using a remote control, having single buttons to carry out specific operations.

Abstract: A delivery chute for use on a concrete mixer truck has automated systems to allow for repositioning and reconfiguration without requiring an operator to manipulate components. The chute is configured to have multiple segments that can be folded/nested with one another for transport and can be positioned in an extended configuration thereby forming a continuous delivery surface for purposes of delivering concrete to a desired location. Powered mechanisms are used to reposition these segments, thus eliminating the need for operators to handle chute segments at all. A control system is provided to coordinate operation of components so proper sequences are followed during folding, unfolding, raising, lowering and swinging operations. An operator can control each of these operations using a remote control, having single buttons to carry out specific operations.

Abstract: A collection body is designed and coordinated so that equipment and frequently serviced components can be easily accessed by any operator while also staying away from lanes of traffic. The collection body is further designed so the main hopper is substantially rectangular, so that sidewalls are continuous and support operation of ejection pushers and related component. This configuration is also coordinated with the collection hopper and other collection mechanisms, so that overall coordination of all components is efficient and effective.

Abstract: A delivery chute for use on a concrete mixer truck has automated systems to allow for repositioning and reconfiguration without requiring an operator to manipulate components. The chute is configured to have multiple segments that can be folded/nested with one another for transport and can be positioned in an extended configuration thereby forming a continuous delivery surface for purposes of delivering concrete to a desired location. Powered mechanisms are used to reposition these segments, thus eliminating the need for operators to handle chute segments at all. A control system is provided to coordinate operation of components so proper sequences are followed during folding, unfolding, raising, lowering and swinging operations. An operator can control each of these operations using a remote control, having single buttons to carry out specific operations.

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 in to 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.