A refuse container lifter is provided that comprises a base, a cross member, and first and second side plates; first and second masts connected on a first end to the first and second side plates, respectively; a first piston/cylinder actuator having first and second ends associated with each of the first and second masts for moving the masts between first and second positions; a cross bar rotatably mounted between the first and second masts at the second end of each mast and having a crank arm associated therewith; a second piston/cylinder actuator having first and second ends associated with each of the first and second masts for rotating the cross bar; first and second spaced-apart forks rigidly mounted to the cross bar and configured to be received in fork pockets of commercial refuse collection containers; and a residential refuse cart lifter secured to the cross member of the base at a position intermediate the first and second forks.

A refuse container lifter is provided that comprises a base, a cross member, and first and second side plates; first and second masts connected on a first end to the first and second side plates, respectively; a first piston/cylinder actuator having first and second ends associated with each of the first and second masts for moving the masts between first and second positions; a cross bar rotatably mounted between the first and second masts at the second end of each mast and having a crank arm associated therewith; a second piston/cylinder actuator having first and second ends associated with each of the first and second masts for rotating the cross bar; first and second spaced-apart forks rigidly mounted to the cross bar and configured to be received in fork pockets of commercial refuse collection containers; and a residential refuse cart lifter secured to the cross member of the base at a position intermediate the first and second forks.

A detection system for a side loading waste collection vehicle with a side lifting arm for lifting and lowering a bin and a gripping assembly near the end of the lifting arm, including one or more sensors to detect the presence of an object or person, control means to receive and process sensor input to control the operation of the lifting arm, wherein the detection system defines two zones where a first zone covers the space through which the bin moves between a raised and a lowered position and a second zone is the space surrounding the first zone; in use the movement of the lifting arm is stopped when a person or object is detected within the first zone and when a person or object is detected moving within the second zone.

A system for compacting rubbish, including a frame having a front wall, a carrier to be moved in a forwards-backwards direction relative to the frame, an upper scoop pivotably mounted on the carrier about a first horizontal axis and having an upper face for milling rubbish, and a lower scoop pivotably mounted on the upper scoop about a second horizontal axis, and having a lower milling face rubbish. The upper and lower scoops are to take a downwardly deployed position when their respective milling faces face the front wall. The carrier is to be moved forwards when the upper and lower scoops are in deployed position, in such a way as to compact the rubbish between the milling faces and the front wall. In the deployed position, a projection of the upper milling face in a transverse plane has a surface greater than or equal to a projection of the lower milling face in the transverse plane.

A container lifter and a low-encumbrance rubbish collection bin that can be used for a rear loading rubbish collection vehicle.