Toccoa Metal Technologies, Inc.

Robert M Clark

James M Anderson

Diane Marie Henry

Gordon Douglas James

Henry Michael Hund, Jr

A refuse collection vehicle (10) has a body (14) into which refuse may be loaded having an exit passage (34) from which loaded refuse may be emptied. The vehicle also has arms (56) and a fork (58) for lifting a container into a dumping position over the body. A control circuit coordinates simultaneous operation of the arms and forks by monitoring the position of the arms and forks through rotary potentiometers (200, 201).

Residential front loading refuse collection vehicle

A front loading refuse collection vehicle (10) is provided having a body (12) which includes a hopper (16), a storage container (17), a pair of arms (56) coupled to a pivotal fork (58). The vehicle also has a control circuit (100) which coordinates movement of the fork with the arms. The control circuit receives the initial pickup position of the arms and fork from an arm position sensor (200) and a fork position sensor (201) when grasping a portable container. This position is later recalled to assist the operator in returning the arms and forks to these positions in order to release the portable container.

Apparatus and method of automated fork repositioning

A front loading refuse collection vehicle 10 is provided having a body 12 which includes a hopper 16, a storage container 17, and a tailgate 20. A pair of hydraulic cylinders 23 are mounted to the tailgate for pivotal movement thereof. A compaction blade 24 is mounted within storage container 17 for movement by a hydraulic cylinder 25. The vehicle also has a dumping system 45 for automated actuation of the compaction blade hydraulic cylinder 25 and the tailgate hydraulic cylinders 23. The dumping system includes a central multi-processor 46 coupled to receive electronic signals from an auto-eject actuation button 47, a tailgate enable switch 48, a latch sensor 50, a tailgate open sensor 51 and a compaction blade sensor 52. The central multiprocessor is coupled to output electronic signals to a hydraulic control valve 57 for the tailgate hydraulic cylinders and a hydraulic control valve 58 for the compaction blade hydraulic cylinder. The dumping system coordinates the movement of the tailgate hydraulic cylinder and compaction blade cylinders in response to the tailgate open sensor and compaction blade sensor.

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Liberty, SC, United States of America

Robert M Clark