Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a body, a power source, and a tailgate. The chassis is coupled to a plurality of wheels. The body assembly is coupled to the chassis and defines a refuse compartment configured to store refuse material. The tailgate comprises a refuse receiving portion, a tailgate compaction assembly, and an electrically-driven actuation mechanism. The refuse receiving portion is configured to receive refuse material. The tailgate compaction assembly is selectively actuatable to compact the refuse material received by the refuse receiving portion into the refuse compartment. The electrically-driven actuation mechanism is powered by the power source and is configured to selectively actuate the tailgate compaction assembly.

Abstract: A sod harvester and a method for maintaining the integrity of a sod roll during sod roll transfer with the sod harvester having a first power assist rotatable sod roll cradle containing a set of spokes with opposed faces that laterally engage and dynamically cradle a sod roll as the sod roll falls from an upper conveyor to a lower conveyor so that a further set of opposed faces on the rotatable spokes laterally engage a further sod roll on an upper conveyor through a torque applied to the sod cradle by a low power hydraulic motor as the sod roll falls from the upper conveyor to the lower conveyor with the cycle repeated with each sod roll that is discharged from the upper conveyor to thereby maintain the integrity of the sod rolls within the sod harvester.

Abstract: A tailgate shoveling apparatus includes a containment bed mounted on a vehicle for contained material therein, and a tailgate shoveling platform pivotably attached proximate an end of the containment bed. The tailgate shoveling platform pivots between two positions rotationally offset by substantially more than 90 degrees in relation to each other. The tailgate shoveling platform substantially prevents material from spilling out of the containment bed in a first position. In a second position, the tailgate shoveling platform provides a platform configured to hold a portion of the material contained in the containment bed at an ergonomic shoveling height relative to a user standing on ground level. Once a desired amount of material has been removed from the platform, the tailgate shoveling platform may return unused material back into the containment bed as the tailgate shoveling platform moves back into the first position.

Abstract: Wheels, endless treads, or articulating legs powered by a first drive mechanism support a chassis for movement along a support surface over which are spread one or more regular or irregular shaped objects. A transversely extending, forwardly opening receptacle is mounted to the chassis for receiving and holding the objects. The receptacle is movable by a second drive mechanism about a substantially horizontal axis between a lowered collecting position and a raised dumping position for dispensing collected objects into a collection bin. Working together a pair of sweeper gates mounted at opposite ends of the receptacle can be rotated by a third drive mechanism about respective vertical axes between fully open and fully closed positions. The sweeper gates entrap and pull objects into the receptacle when they are within a predetermined proximity of the receptacle. A remote control allows an operator to control the first, second and third drive mechanisms.

Abstract: A carrier adapted to be drawn over the ground for handling and transporting bales of hay comprises a rigid framework assembly adapted to be connected to a towing vehicle for transporting a series of bales in side-to-side relationship substantially along the entire length thereof. A bale engaging structure is pivotally attached to the framework assembly about a first horizontal axis for lifting the bales from the ground to the framework assembly. The bale engaging structure is also slidably mounted to the framework assembly along a second horizontal axis substantially parallel to the first horizontal axis for engaging the ends of the bales. An alignment arrangement is constructed and arranged to shift the framework assembly without moving the towing vehicle so as to align the bale engaging structure with the ends of the bale before the bale engaging structure engages the bales on the ground.

Abstract: A dump truck body has a bed and side walls defining a rear opening which is closed by a tailgate and loader unit removably attached to adaptor brackets inserted into the side walls. The unit includes a U-shaped frame supporting extendable tracks which carry a vertical tailgate supported for pivotal movement to form a horizontal platform. The frame also encloses two pairs of oppositely directed hydraulic cylinders which move the tracks, and a cam mechanism is shifted into alignment to pivot the tailgate between horizontal and vertical positions in response to movement of the tracks. The entire unit is pivotally supported by the adaptor brackets to pivot from the truck body when the body is inclined for dumping or when a pair of hydraulic cylinders are actuated.

Abstract: In a transfer set, a retention hook rigidly secured for rotation with the tailgate of the truck body for rotation therewith. Entry of the trailer body into the truck body automatically triggers pneumatic elements to lower the truck tailgate causing the retention hook attached thereto to capture a trailer body retention pin secured to the outside of the trailer body. A solenoid operated directional control valve prevents the inadvertent release of the trailer body when the truck body is lifted away from the truck frame to empty contents therefrom. A single pneumatic actuator releases the truck tailgate and, when the trailer body is retained in the truck body, also the trailer tailgate.

Abstract: A dump truck body has a bed and side walls defining a rear opening which is closed by a tailgate and loader unit removably attached to adaptor brackets inserted into the side walls. The unit includes a U-shaped frame supporting extendable tracks which carry a vertical tailgate supported for pivotal movement to form a horizontal platform. The frame also encloses two pairs of oppositely directed hydraulic cylinders which move the tracks, and a cam mechanism is shifted into alignment to pivot the tailgate between horizontal and vertical positions in response to movement of the tracks. The entire unit is pivotally supported by the adaptor brackets to pivot from the truck body when the body is inclined for dumping.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading solid material into a receptacle or container, according to a four-phase cycle, comprises a loading blade for pushing material into the container and driving apparatus for operating the blade. The upper part of the blade and its driving apparatus are connected to a transverse beam running in a curved guide located in a vertical plane. The apparatus is particularly applicable to the compression of charges of material, particularly such as industrial or domestic waste, in a fixed or movable container or skip.