S. Vincen Bowles Company Sun Valley, California Bowles products came to the east by way of a short-lived partnership with Converto Manufacturing Company of Cambridge City, Indiana, makers of the ConverTainer lugger system. Under the Converto Bowles name, they sold the Bowles side loader, roll-off unit and this full-pack front loader, in sizes up to 45 cubic yards. As did most front loader manufacturers, Bowles switched to the more practical Dempster-type curved lift arms as shown on this 1970 half-pack. Bowles second partnership was with Union Environmental Corporation and spawned this Union-Bowles full-pack front loader. Its twin telescopic rams provided 100,000 pounds packing force, and displays a modern body structure designed to minimize weight while withstanding the intense pressures. This style body was also available as a half pack with cross-mounted cylinders under the Bowles name up until production ceased. This 1989 Bowles half-pack with circular body was to be one of the last front loaders to carry the famous name. They had moved to nearby Montebello, evidently on the site of the old Bemars/ABC factory on South Greenwood, and R. Duane Bowles, son of founder S. Vincen Bowles was now president. Late that same year, they moved to a new factory in Rialto, but production evidently stopped shortly thereafter in the 1990's. Though no longer building truck bodies, Bowles contributions to front loader design have had a profound effect on the industry to this day. For more information on Bowles history, see the CRT article U.S. Front Loader Development 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