Abstract: A method of assembling a weldment for a refuse truck loading arm includes providing a left-handed C-section and a right-handed C-section and at least one buttress, welding a first buttress into a concave end portion of the left-handed or right-handed C-section, welding a first edge of the left-handed C-section to a matching edge of the right-handed C-section, welding another matching edge of the left-handed C-section to a matching edge of the right-handed C-section, the edge welding steps defining a slot between the edges, said slot being at an end portion of said weldment, and welding a joint section into the slot, with the joint section having an inner face, bolt holes and a key recess.

Abstract: A method of assembling a weldment for a refuse truck loading arm includes providing a left-handed C-section and a right-handed C-section and at least one buttress, welding a first buttress into a concave end portion of the left-handed or right-handed C-section, welding a first edge of the left-handed C-section to a matching edge of the right-handed C-section, welding another matching edge of the left-handed C-section to a matching edge of the right-handed C-section, the edge welding steps defining a slot between the edges, said slot being at an end portion of said weldment, and welding a joint section into the slot, with the joint section having an inner face, bolt holes and a key recess.

Abstract: The present invention is a refuse truck lift arm with sections that are bolted, not welded, together. Where the sections are joined together there is a recess and key arrangement. The key is seated in the recess of each half and straddles the inner face that divides them. In this way, shear forces that would otherwise be entirely borne by the bolts are also placed on the key. Each of the three sections, called “weldments,” are welded together in a novel way. The welding placement and sequence reduces welding distortion. Two C-shaped steel pieces are used for each straight section of each weldment. First, interior reinforcing brackets are welded into each C-section. Next, the two C-shaped sections are welded together, with the weld being between the edges that will form the thin side of the arm.

Abstract: The present invention is a refuse truck lift arm with sections that are bolted, not welded, together. Where the sections are joined together there is a recess and key arrangement. The key is seated in the recess of each half and straddles the inner face that divides them. In this way, shear forces that would otherwise be entirely borne by the bolts are also placed on the key. Each of the three sections, called “weldments,” are welded together in a novel way. The welding placement and sequence reduces welding distortion. Two C-shaped steel pieces are used for each straight section of each weldment. First, interior reinforcing brackets are welded into each C-section. Next, the two C-shaped sections are welded together, with the weld being between the edges that will form the thin side of the arm.