Abstract: A refuse packer includes a paddle (14) which oscillates horizontally about axis (19) through about 200.degree. to sweep refuse into a storage chamber of a vehicle (not shown). The paddle has an actuating assembly (26) supported by a single housing (27) secured to a vehicle chassis. The actuating assembly has a drive shaft with a hexagonal end clamped in a hexagonal opening (21) of the paddle. The drive shaft also has a pinion engaged by a pair of opposed toothed racks which slide in respective hydraulic cylinders (35, 36, 37, 38) which act to oscillate the shaft and paddle. A pair of hydraulic resistance cylinders (40) oppose side loads set up by the engagement of the racks with the pinion. In former arrangements the paddle was coupled to a crank plate moved by hydraulic rams which swung as they reciprocated. This led to uneven torque on the paddle and a tendency to stall midstroke, whereas the present drive provides even torque, throughout the oscillations.

Abstract: The bin grabbing nipper (22) of a refuse loader arm is held at a constant angle to limb (15) by a parallelogram linkage having pivots (26, 17, 19, 25). Thus, pivoting of limb (15) leads directly to inversion of the raised bin and no separate operation of a special bin tilting ram is required to bring a bin to dumping position. The nipper consists of two opposed, jointed fingers which are separately pivoted to a wrist member (21). All finger joints and wrist joints of the nipper are pivoted by separate hydraulic cylinders supplied by a common source. By sensing back-pressure in each cylinder they can be made to exert equal force. Pivoting at limb joints (17) and (19) is by opposed hydraulic cylinders acting on a rack meshing with a gear wheel. Both these joints may be controlled by a single joystick.