Classic Refuse Trucks FRONT LOADERS

U.S. FRONT LOADER DEVELOPMENT

(Continued)

In the ensuing years, most of the innovation in front loader design has come in the form of refinements of the basic ideas outlined previously. This includes countless variations in lift cylinder position, packer cylinder style & position, automatic hopper doors, tailgate designs, and packer body construction. Gar Wood, Heil and Leach all had developed full-pack front loaders by the 1970's, which were built along the Dempster principle. Some of the most interesting new ideas have continued to come from west coast builders, such as Able Body and AMREP, pioneering ever lighter, fast cycling designs while the old "battleship strength" high compaction east coast models have slowly fallen from favor.

CALIFORNIA INNOVATION, L-R: After selling Bemars, the Kouri family founded Able Body Company (ABC), whose 1970's front loader with broad-radius body sides foretold industry trend. AMREP octagonal body construction patented by founder Jose Ghuibado was the look of the west in the 1980's. Smart Truck Systems (STS) marries residential automated arm with their curved-shell front loader on the F.L.A.R.E. (Front Loader Automated Residential Escort).

The most recent attempt to radically re-invent the front loader came out of Tulsa, Oklahoma's Crane Carrier Company. The 1984 Integrated Front Loader (IFL), was in many ways the successor to the old Gar Wood T-100. Like the T-100, the IFL used chassisless construction, integrating body and frame into one structure, although the drive train was far more sensible with a mid-mount engine and rear wheel drive. The IFL marked a return to the circular full-pack body, as used on the first Dumpmaster/Pak-Mor which had remained popular in side loader configuration over the years. A completely new container lifting mechanism broke the first truly new ground in arm design since 1962, and an over-the-cab packing cylinder layout eliminated wasted body space. the IFL enjoyed a fairly good run of nearly fifteen years before being recently discontinued. It also spawned side and rear loader variations along the same basic construction principles.

The unmistakable IFL by Crane Carrier Corporation

From Bowles original bucket dumper to the IFL, the front loader has seen a remarkable transformation from dozens of builders who have had a part in this evolution. Will its future hold only further refinement, or is a radical new method just around the corner ? Only time will tell, but there is not much doubt that, in some form, it will remain the most efficient machine for handling the work of bulk refuse collection around the world.

11/6/05