S. Vincen Bowles Company Sun Valley, California Bowles also built side loaders, including this interesting experimental circular body (left) from 1956 equipped with a side loading container system. Bowles drop-frame side loader (right) bears more than a passing resemblance to the Shu-Pak, then being built by Western Body. Bowles was involved in litigation with the Shubins, though the outcome is not known. Bowles continued to sell this model throughout the 1960s. Many Bowles designs seemed to foreshadow trends in the refuse industry, a case in point being this 1958 side loader with bottle recycler and walk-in cab built for Los Angeles By-Products Company. The truck was far ahead of its time, and would not look out of place even today. Also ahead of its time was L.A.'s recycling program, which ceased in 1962. This early 60's roll-off type Bowles half-pack competed with Dempster Dinomaster system. Bowles also sold roll-off hoists equipped with stationary type packers. This particular truck was sold to Dole Pineapple and shipped to Hawaii. This 1965 Bowles 40 yard half-pack still has the old style lift arms, but features new twin "pusher" packing cylinders located ahead of the panel. Both this style and the old horizontal "pull" type cylinders were available until the early 1970's. Also note the linkage for retracting the rear view mirrors, side forks and the split-style charge door arrangement. Truck was owned by American Container Service of Dallas, Texas. Right-hand drive conversions were available as shown on this truck with standard width flat forks (left). Varaible-width sliding forks (right) could be added if desired. 11/6/05 © 2005 Eric Voytko All Rights Reserved Logos shown are the trademarks of respective manufacturers Photos from factory brochures/trade advertisements except as noted