Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in refuse trucks and similar vehicles comprising a removable or upwards pivotable collecting container (7) for the waste or refuse as well as a loading hopper (15) or the like which is located beside the container on the refuse vehicle and is provided with means for compressing the refuse and transferring it from the loading hopper to the collecting container through mutually registering openings in adjacent walls facing each other of the loading hopper (15) and the collecting container (7), respectively.When the collecting container (7) has become filled and is to be emptied, it is separated from the loading hopper (15), thereby rupturing a refuse string extending from the loading hopper into the collecting container. This rupture has the almost unavoidable consequence that some waste comes loose and drops to the ground.