Classic Refuse Trucks BOWLES

S. Vincen Bowles Company
Sun Valley, California

Samuel Vincen Bowles Co. built this front fixed-bucket loader for United Rubbish in 1952, the first of many innovative trucks to emerge from the small independent builder. It was an open top body with no compaction and articulated lift arms. Bowles and United owner, Philip Gentile Jr., collaborated to create some of the worlds first front loading refuse trucks, and the company would have a profound influence on front loader development and become a major force in the southern California market for years to come.

In February, 1955, Gentile filed for a U.S.patent on this refinement of the 1952 truck, which added a flat fork coupling method to engage slots on detachable containers. It was the genesis of a new era in bulk refuse collection, with a single truck now able to service multiple containers left on site throughout the service area. On open container, carried in the lowered position, could also be used for residential hand-loading collection. Photo illustrates container position as lift arms carry it over dump body. Container was then inverted by pivoting articulated section to fully discharge contents.

In 1957, Bowles added a compaction panel that traversed only the loading hopper area and modern, fully enclosed bodies of large capacities. These new half-packs were another Bowles front loader "first", carrying maximum legal payloads by eliminating excess weight. In the 1960 example above, the packing cylinder covers are visible running horizontally along the lower front section of the storage body, with lift arm stops riding just above. Also note how straight lift arm curves to clear front wheels (when lowered), and Harbers rock shaft replacing articulated arms. At right, a diagram of Bowles Half-Pack system showing packer plate (A) guided by roller trolly (pink highlights) in sidewalls of hopper area. Actuating rams had cylinder end (B) mounted inside the storage body, while rod end worked outside the narrower hopper walls, connected to the blade through the roller track slots. Both rods and slots were protected by a sheetmetal cover. Packer plate at full rearward position (C) would just clear hopper area, and affected compaction only as body became full.

Rivals, particularly in the east would pursue full-pack models, which were able to crush each batch of refuse and carry higher payloads, but also came with a weight penalty since the body shell had to withstand high, localized pressures throughout its length. Bowles' half-pack method may have been born out of economy, but is now considered the superior method by much of the industry. One reason is speed, since the conventional single stage packing rams react faster and the blade travels only a short distance. The other reason is weight. Because half-packs don't really begin compressing the load until the body is filled, the stresses are spread more uniformly throughout the entire structure. Body bracing need not be as heavy, resulting in less "dead weight" and more legal payload.

Since the body must be hoisted to discharge the load, the half-pack is here potentially at a disadvantage to the full-ejectors. However, the half-pack's panel does perform partial load ejection, enough to move weight away from the highest point in the raised body. It is a lasting credit to Bowles that the half-pack method has gained such universal acceptance in recent years. Some makes are now even incorporating "follower plates" above the packer panel, allowing for simultaneous dumping and packing for maximum efficiency.

11/6/05