Abstract: A cushioned hydraulic cylinder assembly including a hydraulic cylinder having a reciprocating piston movable between an extended position and a retracted position and a hydraulic fluid port proximate an end thereof for ingress and egress of hydraulic fluid. A cushion member is carried by the piston, wherein the cushion member obstructs hydraulic fluid flow out of the port in the retracted position and is spaced from the port in the extended position. A continuous spiral groove is formed in an outer surface of the cushion member and has a beginning at a first end of the cushion member away from the piston and terminates proximate a second end adjacent the piston. The beginning of the spiral groove has a cross-sectional volume, the cross-sectional volume decreasing toward the second end of the cushion member. The spiral groove gradually reduces hydraulic fluid flow out of the port as the piston moves toward the retracted position.

Abstract: Refuse collection apparatus including a collection container grasping mechanism and a lifting and dumping mechanism. The grasping mechanism includes a pair of grasping arms mounted for movement between an at-rest position and a grasping position, springs attached to the grasping arms so as to bias the grasping arms into the at-rest position, and a first hydraulic cylinder attached to an activating element for moving the grasping arms from the at-rest position into the grasping position. The lifting and dumping mechanism is coupled to the grasping mechanism for moving the grasping mechanism from a refuse container grasping position to a dumping position. The lifting and dumping mechanism includes elongated linking arms and a driving hydraulic cylinder coupled in a four point movement for simultaneously lifting and rotating the grasping mechanism from the refuse container grasping position into the dumping position.

Abstract: Refuse collection apparatus including a collection container grasping mechanism and a lifting and dumping mechanism. The grasping mechanism includes a pair of grasping arms mounted for movement between an at-rest position and a grasping position, springs attached to the grasping arms so as to bias the grasping arms into the at-rest position, and a first hydraulic cylinder attached to an activating element for moving the grasping arms from the at-rest position into the grasping position. The lifting and dumping mechanism is coupled to the grasping mechanism for moving the grasping mechanism from a refuse container grasping position to a dumping position. The lifting and dumping mechanism includes elongated linking arms and a driving hydraulic cylinder coupled in a four point movement for simultaneously lifting and rotating the grasping mechanism from the refuse container grasping position into the dumping position.