A refuse truck body having a main compartment and at least one side compartment includes shields to close a rear opening of the compartments. A respective pushing device is provided for discharging refuse from each compartment. In a closed position, the shield is latched to the truck body by a locking device that selectively locks and unlocks each shield against its opening. A sequencing system is operatively connected between a lock for the packing unit and the actuator for closing and latching the shields, which prevents unlocking and raising the packing unit before the shields are closed and latched to the truck body. A sequencing system is operatively connected between the pushing device for a compartment and the actuator for closing and latching the shields, which prevents operation of the pushing device to discharge refuse from the compartment unless the shield for that compartment is unlatched.

Throughout several portions of a refuse collection system, coupling between hydraulic cylinders to related mechanical components are achieved using bolt-in bushings. The bolt-in bushings allow for improved efficiency in the manufacturing process and allow for repairs to be easily carried out by having a cylindrical opening configured to receive an attachment pin and a main body that is configured to be inserted into openings within portions of related mechanical components. The main body has a flange that will support connection holes, thereby allowing for attachment to the operating components of the refuse collection vehicle.

A residential side loading garbage or recycling truck is provided which is equipped with an easily removable roll off disposal container which can be easily replaced to reduce man hours and travel time spent in the collection of trash or recyclables and to reduce the carbon footprint per truck because of the reduction in fuel used. The foregoing features are provided by equipping the truck with a compacting unit that remains with the truck at all times and a number of disposal containers located at predetermined locations so that once one disposal container is filled, the truck is driven to one of those locations and filled disposal container is replaced with an empty disposal container so that the truck may return to its route without the need to travel to a garbage or recycling center.

A leaf collection vehicle utilizing a vehicle body from a refuse collection vehicle having a receiving hopper, a storage compartment, a tailgate assembly, an operator cab and a packer mechanism for transferring refuse from the receiving hopper to the storage compartment, the refuse collection vehicle body being transformed into a leaf collection vehicle by removably installing a fan assembly within the receiving hopper, the fan assembly providing suction for gathering leaves, a suction hose removably attachable to the fan assembly for collecting and transferring leaves initially to the storage compartment and then to the receiving hopper, and a boom member for holding the suction hose, the boom member being operable from the cab compartment of the vehicle and being movable from a storage position along a side of the vehicle body to an operative position for gathering leaves.

A shield for a compartment opening of a refuse truck body, comprising an upper segment hinged to the truck body and a lower segment hinged to the upper segment. A source of power selectively pivots the lower segment relative to the upper segment. This enables a first angle of articulation whereby the upper segment covers an upper region of the compartment opening and the lower segment covers a lower region of the compartment opening whereby the shield covers the entire opening of the compartment; a second angle whereby the upper segment covers the upper region of the opening and the lower segment is positioned such that refuse can be swept beneath the lower segment into the lower region of the opening; and a third angle whereby the upper and lower segments fully uncover the compartment opening, whereby refuse can be freely dumped out of the compartment.

A leaf collection vehicle utilizing a vehicle body from a refuse collection vehicle having a receiving hopper, a storage compartment, a tailgate assembly, an operator cab and a packer mechanism for transferring refuse from the receiving hopper to the storage compartment, the refuse collection vehicle body being transformed into a leaf collection vehicle by removably installing a fan assembly within the receiving hopper, the fan assembly providing suction for gathering leaves, a suction hose removably attachable to the fan assembly for collecting and transferring leaves initially to the storage compartment and then to the receiving hopper, and a boom member for holding the suction hose, the boom member being operable from the cab compartment of the vehicle and being movable from a storage position along a side of the vehicle body to an operative position for gathering leaves.

A refuse truck body having a main compartment and at least one side compartment includes shields to close a rear opening of the compartments. A respective pushing device is provided for discharging refuse from each compartment. In a closed position, the shield is latched to the truck body by a locking device that selectively locks and unlocks each shield against its opening. A sequencing system is operatively connected between a lock for the packing unit and the actuator for closing and latching the shields, which prevents unlocking and raising the packing unit before the shields are closed and latched to the truck body. A sequencing system is operatively connected between the pushing device for a compartment and the actuator for closing and latching the shields, which prevents operation of the pushing device to discharge refuse from the compartment unless the shield for that compartment is unlatched.

Provided herein is a refuse vehicle includes a chassis, a cab coupled to the chassis, a body coupled to the chassis and housing a hopper, and a subhopper disposed adjacent or at least partially within the hopper. The subhopper includes a sloped upper surface configured to direct refuse deposited into the hopper toward an end of the hopper.

A shield for a compartment opening of a refuse truck body, comprising an upper segment hinged to the truck body and a lower segment hinged to the upper segment. A source of power selectively pivots the lower segment relative to the upper segment. This enables a first angle of articulation whereby the upper segment covers an upper region of the compartment opening and the lower segment covers a lower region of the compartment opening whereby the shield covers the entire opening of the compartment; a second angle whereby the upper segment covers the upper region of the opening and the lower segment is positioned such that refuse can be swept beneath the lower segment into the lower region of the opening; and a third angle whereby the upper and lower segments fully uncover the compartment opening, whereby refuse can be freely dumped out of the compartment.

A refuse collection vehicle body having a receiving hopper with a pendulum packer device mounted for arcuate movement therewithin, a tapered storage compartment for receiving refuse material from the receiving hopper, a tailgate assembly having a pneumatic mechanism for controlling the tailgate latch mechanism, and an ejection system for dumping the refuse material collected within the storage compartment, the storage compartment having a trough or channel associated with its top portion for housing the hydraulic cylinders associated with the pendulum packer device and the tailgate assembly. The hydraulic cylinder associated with the ejection system as well as the hydraulic tank and hydraulic fluid cooler associated with the vehicle body are all positioned over hazmat containment devices to contain any leakage from these components during normal operation. The tapered storage compartment is formed by joining two rectangular sheets of material to a pair of wedge shaped members.