US3662908A - Vehicle loader - Google Patents

Abstract

A refuse loader adapted for use with a refuse collection vehicle and including a packer plate movement mechanism of an improved, simplified construction. The mechanism includes a packer plate which is pivotally mounted on a reciprocable carrier so as to be able to move while extended with the carrier to a position for engaging a load of refuse, then be swung through an arc to collect and compact the refuse and thereafter be moved with the carrier to discharge portion of the loader. The same cycle may thereafter be repeated as desired. The improved design provides, by means of an improved link, cylinder, packer plate, and carrier arrangement, a mechanism having improved flexibility in relation to known mechanisms previously used in counterparts of the loading mechanism of the invention, and also having improved reliability and simplicity. The function previously achieved with four hydraulic cylinders is now accomplished using only two. In addition, the unit has inherent safety features not heretofore available in such units. In addition to providing a novel mechanism and operating cycle, the unit affords a compact design which enables an associated refuse collection vehicle body to be shortened, for increasing the effective load able to be handled by the truck and improving the maneuverability thereof.

Description

United States Patent 1 May 16, 1972 Boda 154] VEHICLE LOADER [72] Inventor: Robert A. Boda, Oshkosh, Wis.

[73] Assignee: Leach Company, Oshkosh, Wis.

[22] Filed: June 5, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 43,935

[52] US. Cl ..2l4/83.3, 100/233 511 Int. Cl. ..B65f3/00 [58] Field of Search 214/833, 503; 100/233 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,888,158 5/1959 Wood ....214/83.3 X 2,798,624 7/1957 Brown et al.. ..214/83.3 3,143,230 8/1964 Gollnick 214/833 X 3,297,180 1/1967 Park et a1 ..214/83.3

Primary Examiner-Albert J. Makay Attorney-Greist, Lockwood, Greenawalt and Dewey [5 7] ABSTRACT A refuse loader adapted for use with a refuse collection vehido and including a packer plate movement mechanism of an improved, simplified construction. The mechanism includes a packer plate which is pivotally mounted on a reciprocable carrier so as to be able to move while extended with the carrier to a position for engaging a load of refuse, then be swung through an arc to collect and compact the refuse and thereafter be moved with the carrier to discharge portion of the loader. The same cycle may thereafier be repeated as desired. The improved design provides, by means of an improved link, cylinder, packer plate, and carrier arrangement, a mechanism having improved flexibility in relation to known mechanisms previously used in counterparts of the loading mechanism of the invention, and also having improved reliability and simplicity. The function previously achieved with four hydraulic cylinders is now accomplished using only two. In addition, the unit has inherent safety features not heretofore available in such units. In addition to providing a novel mechanism and operating cycle, the unit affords a compact design which enables an associated refuse collection vehicle body to be shortened, for increasing the effective load able to be handled by the truck and improving the maneuverability thereof.

1 1 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Patented May 16, 1972 3,662,908

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR Easem- A. BODA Patented May 16, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Power /4- BYMJm/MO, Wf

ATT'YS .4

Patented May 16, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet B INVENTOR 2055/2 r 4. 5 004 Munro-q ATT'YS BY I /f Patented May 16, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 P m WAM w W n Q 8 0 RM VEHICLE LOADER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to refuse collecting vehicles, and in particular, to an improved construction of refuse loaders for use with truck bodies of the type in which refuse is loaded into a bin or refuse receiving portion of the loader, then picked up by a powered packer plate, and moved into a discharge area from which it is transferred to the interior of the body proper so that the truck body may be fully loaded with material of maximum density before emptying thereof.

Refuse collecting vehicles of the type in question are known to be designed to meet certain structural and functional criteria; one such desirable feature is that a loader for refuse includes power equipment thereon to the maximum practical degree, to minimize labor cost and time spent in refuse collection. This is important from the standpoint of direct operational cost as well as because business and residential owners commonly prefer that refuse be picked up only duringv certain hours of the day.

Inasmuch as the regions in which refuse is dumped for burning, or for removal to a more remote area are often somewhat distant from the places at which refuse is collected, it is desirable to insure that the maximum volume of refuse can be packed in a truck body, and it is also desirable that the material be packed as densely as possible so that the maximum possible weight thereof can be accommodated between trips to the unloading area.

It is also a requirement for a satisfactory refuse or garbage collecting vehicle that the design provide for maximum access to a loading or pickup area thereof. Therefore, refuse collecting trucks commonly include a wide open bin extending across the entire rear of the body so that the bin is easily accessible from either side and from the rear. Such a construction, when associated with its operating mechanism, inherently makes the vehicle undesirably heavy in the rear, thereby limiting the amount of useful load that may be placed therein, particularly where regulations limit the maximum vehicle loading per axle as well as gross vehicle weight. In other words, vehicles having heavy mechanisms in an overhanging position produce a sub stantial moment about the rear axle, undesirably concentrating excess weight on the axle, although not necessarily producing an excessive gross weight.

In addition, extending the mechanism behind the rear wheels in this way tends also to increase the overall length of the vehicle and to limit the manuever ability thereof, which is a significant drawback in vehicles intended for use in cramped areas such as alleys, docks and the like.

Accordingly, in view of the various characteristics desired in refuse collecting and loading equipment, and in view of the shortcomings of various prior art loader constructions, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved refuse loader assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a refuse loader having a simplified construction of the essential elements.

Another object is to provide a refuse loader having a mechanism such that movement of a single actuator served to position the packer plate and move the carrier in a desired sequence.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a loader mechanism wherein a single movement sequence accomplishes these objects, and wherein no outside control is needed to perform the transition from one step or function to the succeeding function or step except continuous movement of the pistons within associated hydraulic cylinders.

Another object is the provision of such a system making extensive use of existing components in the interest of simplicity and economy.

A further object is to provide a refuse loader in which a reduced number of components is required to perform an operation previously requiring a greater number of parts or elements.

A further object is the provision of a loader unit which may be mounted for pivotal movement in respect to an associated trunk body.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for a refuse loader in which a packer plate and an associated carrier are moved as a unit to the pickup area of the loader, and in which the plate is then moved to pick up and compact the refuse, and thereafter moved with the carrier as a unit into a second position for discharging the refuse from the loader into an associated vehicle.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for moving a packer plate from a first position for engaging refuse to a second position for discharging the refuse and which includes a carrier for pivotally supporting a packer plate, and one or more operating links attached at one end thereof to the plate and at the other end to an actuator operated by a hydraulic cylinder and wherein the end associated with the actuator is positioned for relative movement within the carrier to a limited extent so that movement of the actuator will move the plate relative to the carrier and then move the carrier and the plate together as a unit.

Another object is to provide a construction wherein the packer plate and the packer plate carrier are both moved by a common actuator, and in which the plate and the carrier move in a desired sequence.

A further object of the present invention is to embody an improved construction within a compact loader unit.

The present invention achieves these objects and other inherent objects and advantages by providing a mechanism including a packer plate movable between first and second positions for picking up refuse and discharging it, a carrier unit positioning the packer plate for pivotal movement, a pair of operating links each having one end attached to the plate and the other end received in a slot in the carrier, and a pair of hydraulic cylinders for moving the other ends of the links to extend the packer plate, move the plate and carrier as a unit to first position then move the plate to a retracted position and move the carrier and plate as a unit to the second position for discharging refuse picked up by movement from the first position.

The manner in which these are accomplished will become more clearly apparent when reference is made to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view, showing the loader of the invention in a normal position of use associated with a truck body;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of the loader unit of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary end elevational view of a portion of the loader of FIG. 2, taken along lines 3-3 thereof;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the loader unit of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a partially schematic vertical sectional view of the loader of the invention, showing the packer plate, carrier, and operating links in one position thereof;

FIG. 6 shows the elements of FIG. 5 in another position thereof;

FIG. 7 shows the elements of the FIGS. 5 and 6 in still another position thereof; and

FIG. 8 shows the elements of FIGS. 5-7 in still another operational position thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Before referring in detail to the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood that the invention is useful in a number of different environments and may be embodied in various forms, and that it may be used on various types of associated vehicles, including those with or without auxiliary load packing means, and including trucks having bodies mounted for dumping, or other forms ofunloading the contents thereof. It will also be understood that a principal use of a loading device of this type is for loading refuse, but that other materials may be loaded into associated truck bodies with loaders embodying the principles of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, the invention will be illustrated by reference to an embodiment wherein the loader of the invention is associated with the body portion 22 carried by a truck 24, and wherein means in the form of a hinge 26 and a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 28 serve to attach the loader 20 to the rear end portion 30 of the truck body 22.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the loader 20 is comprised of a number of principal elements, including a hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly 32 for moving a carrier assembly 34 with a reciprocating motion generally parallel to a top edge portion 36 of a combination loader body frame element and carrier guide 38. The cylinder and piston assembly also serves to move the packer plate 40 by movement of the operating links 42 extending between a link mounting flange portion 44 of the plate 40 and a carrier drive and link positioning assembly 46. FIG. 2 also shows that the loader 20 includes a pair of side wall portions 48, 50, and a generally arcuate bottom wall 52 forming, in combination with a vertical end wall 54, a refuse receiving area 56 lying below the sill 58, which in turn defines the lower edge of the refuse receiving opening 60 which is presented when the plate 40 is in another position of use, as will be described in further detail herein.

FIG. 2 also shows a top guide stop 62 associated with an upper end portion of the carrier guide 38, and mounting means 64 including a shaft 66 for maintaining the mounting ears 68, 70 associated with the carrier 34 and the plate 40 respectively, in position for permitting pivotal movement of the packer plate 40.

Referring now also to FIGS. 3 and 4, it is shown that the hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 32 includes a doubleacting cylinder 72 having a mounting ear portion 74 thereof mounted by means of a fastener 76 to a lower portion 78 of the lower frame member 80. A movable end portion 82 of the assembly 32 is attached to the piston rod 84 and mounted by a fastener 86 to a transverse rod 88. Attached to the opposite end of the rod 88 is a similar end portion (not shown) of a left hand piston and cylinder assembly (also not shown), which corresponds to the right hand assembly 32 and is similarly constructed and arranged. FIG. 4 also shows that the operating link 42, in addition to being joined at its lower end 90 (FIG. 2) to the flange 92, is also joined at its other end 94 to the rod 88, thereby forming, with the fastener 86 and movable end portion 82 of the piston rod 84, a carrier drive and link positioning assembly 96. In the form of the invention shown, the carrier 34 includes a pair of oppositely disposed side portions 98, 100, a forward edge 102, a cover element 104, and a pair of slots 106, 108 in the sides 98, 100, in which the rod 88 may reciprocate before engaging the rounded upper stops 110, 112 or rounded bottom stops 114, 116 forming the ends of the slots 106, 108, respectively.

Referring now in particular to the carrier 34, it is shown to be positioned for movement parallel to the top guide 38 and held in place between the top surfaces 118, 120 of the side walls 48, 50 and the lower surfaces 122, 124 of the top guides 38, 126 by engagement therebetween of rollers 128, 130, 132, etc., which are associated with the carrier 34. Lateral movement of the carrier 34 is limited by the provision of guide assemblies 134, 136, 138 and 140 which include portions thereof bearing againstthe side walls 142, 144 of the guides 38, 126. Four pairs of adjusting screws 146, 148, and 152 are associated with the guide assemblies 134, 136, 138 and 140 so that resistance to movement of the carrier assembly 34 with respect to the fixed portions of the loader 20 may be adjusted, for reasons which will presently appear.

Accordingly, in view of the above-described disposition of the rollers 128, 130, 132 etc., the various surfaces serving as guides, and the guide assembly 134, 136, 138, 140, all of which combine to define the nature and extent and movement of the carrier 34, it will be appreciated that movement of the carrier 34 may be accomplished by exerting sufficient forces in either direction on the carrier 34. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, a typical guide assembly l40 preferably includes a fixed block 154 to which are attached sleeves 156, 158 for receiving the adjusting screws 152. Acting through springs (not shown) these adjusting screws may more or less forcefully urge the contact plate 160 against the side wall 144 of the guide 38. The block 154 is secured, as by welding, to a flange 162 on the side 98 of the carrier 34. Therefore, frictional resistance to movement of the carrier 34 may be adjusted by adjusting the sets of screws 146, 148, 150, 152. It will therefore be understood that, assuming that there is appreciable resistance to displacement of the carrier 34, a force acting on the carrier drive and link positioning assembly 96 will tend to move the rod 88 and its associated operating link 42, provided that such movement may be accommodated by passage of the rod 88, link 42 and associated components through the opened portions of the slots 106, 108. Reference will now be made to the operating cycle of the loader, whereby the reasons for this fact will be made more clear.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, inclusive, positions of certain of the movable elements are shown in various portions of a complete operating cycle. In the position of FIG. 5, the plate 40 is in a fully extended position and the carrier 34 is in a position of extreme downward movement. In FIG. 6, carrier 34 remains stationery but the plate 40 has moved to a retracted position, and in FIG. 7, the carrier 34 and plate 40 have moved as a unit to the maximum extent of travel in the opposite direction. In FIG. 8, the carrier 34 remains in the extreme upward position but the plate has been moved to a fully extended position in preparation for movement of the carrier 34 downwardly to the position of FIG. 5, from which the cycle will be repeated.

Referring in particular to FIG. 5, it will be assumed that the portion of the loader 20 which receives the refuse has been substantially filed with refuse so that addition thereto of additional refuse would cause the load to spill out over the sill 58, and that the carrier 34, with the plate 40 extended has moved to the position shown. This traps refuse between the arcuate bottom surface 52 of the loader 20 and the front surface of the packer plate 40. When an actuating force is applied to the carrier drive and link positioning assembly 96, provided that the rod 88 and its associated parts are movable freely in the slot 106, and that resistance to arcuate movement of the plate 40 is not sufficiently great to prevent rod movement, the link 42 will urge'the flange 92 and the plate 40 to the position shown in FIG. 6. This serves to compact the refuse and/or move it somewhat upwardly from the receiving area 56 of the loader 20. In the position shown in FIG. 6, the rod 88 has reached its maximum upward movement within the slot 106, and accordingly, continuing upward force supplied thereafter will be applied through the end portion 112 of the slot to the carrier assembly 34, causing it to move upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 7. Thereupon, refuse carried by the plate 40 is carried or transferred over the upper edge 164 of the wall 52, from which position it falls or is pushed to the interior of the body 22 of the truck 24. FIG. 8 shows that, provided in this instance there is resistance to movement of the carrier 34, a downward force applied to the rod 88 will first permit the rod 88 to move downwardly in the slot 106, thereby moving the associated link 42 and plate 40 to the illustrated extended position. This is the normal position of the carrier 34 and plate 40 when the bin 56 is being loaded.

One feature of the invention which is achieved by the operational features of the mechanism provided is that in the event, for one reason or another, there is great resistance to arcuate movement of the plate 40 from the extended position (FIG. 5) to the retracted position (FIG. 6), and an actuating force continues to be exerted, such force will then tend to move the carrier 34 in the same direction as the force is applied. In other words, assuming that plate 40 would not undergo a pivoting motion, the rod 88 would therefore not be permitted to slide forward, and the carrier 34 and plate 40 would, in effect, be a single unit, so that the actuating force transmitted through link 42 to the plate 40 would tend to move the entire assembly as a unit. In such a case, if the obstruction to movement of the plate 40 could be bypassed as the carried moved toward an extreme upward position, when the obstruction or obstacle were bypassed, resistance to a retracting movement of the plate would be diminished and the rod 88 would again move forward in relation to the carrier 34. As a result, at the end of the operating sequence, the carrier 34 and plate 40 would occupy the position shown in FIG. 7, although the exact movement sequence undergone by these parts to arrive at this position would be different from the ordinarily intended sequence already described. On the other hand, if the resistance to arcuate plate movement continued throughout the entire stroke, the position shown in FIG. 7 would never be achieved, but the position of elements shown in FIG. 8 would result, namely, a position in which the carrier 34 would be in its maximum upward position while the plate 40 would remain in the extended position. The possibility of undergoing these movement sequences is a safety feature, inasmuch as, upon encountering unusual conditions, the mechanism will undergo a movement sequence determined by the portion of the sequence which presents the path of least resistance during the portion of the cycle in question. Consequently, the cylinder and piston assemblies are not as likely to be overloaded as they would be in a construction wherein retraction and carrier movement were accomplished by plural pairs of cylinders rather than merely one pair of cylinders. The present construction also has the advantage of simplicity in that only one cylinder or pair of cylinders need be provided.

Furthermore, the form of linkage is simplified in respect to prior art linkages. Inasmuch as the mechanism itself is simplified, the control system is simplified, and, in normal use of the mechanism, assuming that it is properly adjusted, the movement sequence is self operating, and therefore, separate sequencing controls or elements need not be provided.

The location and disposition of the elements of the loader of the present invention is such that massive elements need not be placed at the rear portion of the loader. As a consequence, the loader can be made compact in front-to-rear dimensions and relatively light in weight in relation to its capacity, thereby allowing a truck to be more compact for better maneuverability and to have more favorable weight distribution so that a given gross weight will be more equally distributed on the truck axles than would be the case in the use of prior art designs.

Inasmuch as the present construction uses a minimum of links, rods, actuators, and the like, its inherent simplicity provides dependability and reliability at low cost.

As can be appreciated by reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the auxiliary hydraulic cylinder 28 and its counterpart (not shown) enable the loader assembly 20 as a whole to be pivoted rearwardly and upwardly about the point 26 so that the body 22 of the truck 24 can be emptied in a conventional manner, such as by the use of a body dumping mechanism, a refuse removal plate, or the like.

it will thus be seen that the present invention provides an improved refuse loader for use with a collection vehicle having a number of advantages and characteristics, including those herein particularly pointed out, and others which are inherent in the invention.

I claim:

1. A mechanism for movement of a packer plate in relation to an associated refuse loader from a first position for engaging refuse in a load receiving portion of said loader to a second position for discharging refuse packed and transferred by said plate to the discharge portion of said loader, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a carrier for a packer plate, a

packer plate pivotally connected to said carrier, at least one operating link attached at one end thereof to said plate for causing arcuate movement thereof between extended and retracted positions upon movement of the other link end relative to said carrier, means connected to said carrier for receiving said other link end to permit free but limited movement of said other link end, relative to said carrier, and at least one movable actuator connected to said other link end, whereby movement thereof in one direction will first move said plate to said extended position and thereafter move said carrier and said extended plate as a unit to said first position, and movement from said first position in the opposite direction will first move said plate to said retracted position and thereafter move said carrier and said retracted plate as a unit to said second position.

2. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said movable actuator comprises a double-acting hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly for each operating link.

3. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said at least one operating link comprising a pair of operating links, one of said links being attached to one end of said packer plate and the other link to the other end of said packer plate.

4. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said carrier includes a pair of side portions, in which said means for permitting free but limited movement comprises a slot in each side portion, each side portion being disposed generally parallel to the direction of movement of said carrier, and in which said carrier includes a cover plate extending transversely of said direction of movement and joining said two side portions to each other.

5. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said carrier includes two side portions, and in which said mechanism further includes guide means for said side portions of said carrier to establish the directions of travel thereof and to limit the extent of carrier motion in either direction.

6. A refuse loader assembly comprising, in combination, a loader having a load receiving portion at least partially defined by a generally arcuate bottom surface and a load discharge portion for discharging refuse into the body of an associated vehicle, a reciprocable carrier for carrying a packer plate, a packer plate for engaging refuse disposed in said load receiving portion of said loader and for transferring said refuse to said discharge portion, means attaching said plate to said car rier at a first pivot point to permit said plate to move through an are between an extended position for movement toward refuse in said receiving portion for engagement thereof, and a retracted position for compacting refuse and transferring it to said discharge portion, an edge portion of said plate being thereby adapted to be moved along said arcuate bottom surface, at least one operating link for moving said packer plate, said link having one portion thereof pivotally attached to said plate at a second pivot point, and a second portion thereof connected to a portion of said carrier so as to permit free but limited movement of said second portion with respect to said carrier between first and second stops, and at least one operating piston and cylinder assembly, said assembly having one portion thereof fixed with respect to said loader and the other, relatively movable portion thereof connected to said second portion of said link, whereby limited movement of said piston within said cylinder will cause pivotal plate movement and whereby further piston movement will cause movement of said carrier.

7. A loader assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said loader assembly includes means thereon for hingedly mounting said loader to a portion of an associated truck body, and also includes means for maintaining said loader in closely associated relation to said body as well as for moving said loader away from said body for unloading said truck body.

8. A loader assembly as defined in claim 6 in which said loader assembly has a portion thereof adapted to be hingedly connected to an associated truck body, and which further includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders for holding said loader adjacent said truck body for loading said body and for pivotally moving said loader away frorn said body for emptying said body.

9. A loader assembly as defined in claim 6 in which said at least one operating link comprising a pair of oppositely disposed operating links, one for each end of said packer plate.

10. A loader assembly as defined in claim 6 in which said at least one piston and cylinder assembly comprises a pair of piston and cylinder assemblies, and in which said at least one link comprises a pair of links, with one of said assemblies being associated with each of said second portions of said links.

11. A loader assembly as defined in claim 6 in which said loader further includes a rear wall portion joined to and extending upwardly from the rear margin of said arcuate bottom surface, a pair of side wall portions, a front wall portion having the top surface thereof defining the bottom of said discharge portion, in which said side walls are joined together by a top wall assembly extending transversely to an upper portion of said side walls, and in which said carrier includes a loader cover wall portion adapted, in combination with said top wall assembly and said packer plate, to cover substantially the entire rear portion of said loader in one position of said carrier and said plate.

* l IIK

Claims (11)

1. A mechanism for movement of a packer plate in relation to an associated refuse loader from a first position for engaging refuse in a load receiving portion of said loader to a second position for discharging refuse packed and transferred by said plate to the discharge portion of said loader, said mechanism comprising, in combination, a carrier for a packer plate, a packer plate pivotally connected to said carrier, at least one operating link attached at one end thereof to said plate for causing arcuate movement thereof between extended and retracted positions upon movement of the other link end relative to said carrier, means connected to said carrier for receiving said other link end to permit free but limited movement of said other link end, relative to said carrier, and at least one movable actuator connected to said other link end, whereby movement thereof in one direction will first move said plate to said extended position and thereafter move said carrier and said extended plate as a unit to said first position, and movement from said first position in the opposite direction will first move said plate to said retracted position and thereafter move said carrier and said retracted plate as a unit to said second position.

2. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said movable actuator comprises a double-acting hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly for each operating link.

3. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said at least one operating link comprising a pair of operating links, one of said links being attached to one end of said packer plate and the other link to the other end of said packer plate.

4. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said carrier includes a pair of side portions, in which said means for permitting free but limited movement comprises a slot in each side portion, each side portion being disposed generally parallel to the direction of movement of said carrier, and in which Said carrier includes a cover plate extending transversely of said direction of movement and joining said two side portions to each other.

5. A mechanism as defined in claim 1 in which said carrier includes two side portions, and in which said mechanism further includes guide means for said side portions of said carrier to establish the directions of travel thereof and to limit the extent of carrier motion in either direction.

6. A refuse loader assembly comprising, in combination, a loader having a load receiving portion at least partially defined by a generally arcuate bottom surface and a load discharge portion for discharging refuse into the body of an associated vehicle, a reciprocable carrier for carrying a packer plate, a packer plate for engaging refuse disposed in said load receiving portion of said loader and for transferring said refuse to said discharge portion, means attaching said plate to said carrier at a first pivot point to permit said plate to move through an arc between an extended position for movement toward refuse in said receiving portion for engagement thereof, and a retracted position for compacting refuse and transferring it to said discharge portion, an edge portion of said plate being thereby adapted to be moved along said arcuate bottom surface, at least one operating link for moving said packer plate, said link having one portion thereof pivotally attached to said plate at a second pivot point, and a second portion thereof connected to a portion of said carrier so as to permit free but limited movement of said second portion with respect to said carrier between first and second stops, and at least one operating piston and cylinder assembly, said assembly having one portion thereof fixed with respect to said loader and the other, relatively movable portion thereof connected to said second portion of said link, whereby limited movement of said piston within said cylinder will cause pivotal plate movement and whereby further piston movement will cause movement of said carrier.

7. A loader assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said loader assembly includes means thereon for hingedly mounting said loader to a portion of an associated truck body, and also includes means for maintaining said loader in closely associated relation to said body as well as for moving said loader away from said body for unloading said truck body.

8. A loader assembly as defined in claim 6 in which said loader assembly has a portion thereof adapted to be hingedly connected to an associated truck body, and which further includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders for holding said loader adjacent said truck body for loading said body and for pivotally moving said loader away from said body for emptying said body.

9. A loader assembly as defined in claim 6 in which said at least one operating link comprising a pair of oppositely disposed operating links, one for each end of said packer plate.

10. A loader assembly as defined in claim 6 in which said at least one piston and cylinder assembly comprises a pair of piston and cylinder assemblies, and in which said at least one link comprises a pair of links, with one of said assemblies being associated with each of said second portions of said links.

11. A loader assembly as defined in claim 6 in which said loader further includes a rear wall portion joined to and extending upwardly from the rear margin of said arcuate bottom surface, a pair of side wall portions, a front wall portion having the top surface thereof defining the bottom of said discharge portion, in which said side walls are joined together by a top wall assembly extending transversely to an upper portion of said side walls, and in which said carrier includes a loader cover wall portion adapted, in combination with said top wall assembly and said packer plate, to cover substantially the entire rear portion of said loader in one position of said carrier and said plate.

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