Classic Refuse Trucks GAR WOOD

Load-Packer 300

In September 1954, Gar Wood unveiled three new bodies at the APWA Congress in Atlantic City, New Jersey. First, a twenty cubic yard version of the Load Packer 200 joined the existing 13, 16 and 18 yard versions. It was joined by two sizes of a new packer, the 300 series, in twenty and twenty-four cubic yard (LP-320, LP-324) capacities. The latter was the largest rear load packer on the market at the time, and the first to break the 20 yard barrier. Even its eventual replacement, the 1957 LP-500 "Cyclomatic" would not offer this size body. These big boxes would not reappear on Gar Woods until a 25 yard body was added in the middle of the LP-600 production run.

The LP-300 was almost identical to its predecessor, The LP-200, except for the addition of third, auxiliary packing panel high in the tailgate. This "Jam-Packing" panel applied direct thrust to help consolidate the load in the new, larger bodies. The hydraulic cylinder that operates the panel protruded somewhat out of the upper tailgate structure, resulting in the only outwardly visible difference between the 300 and 200 series, which was a larger cylinder cover assembly.

US patent number 2,813,641, filed January 26, 1955 and assigned to Gar Wood Industries, describes the 'triple compaction' Load-Packer 300. Referring to the illustration at left, you will note the ram and retainer panels typical of the LP-200 (shaded green and blue). However, note the auxiliary packer panel (shaded in red), which was designed to thrust forward during each cycle, keeping the passageway between the hopper and main body clear.

As can be seen, the Jam-packing panel actually forms part of the passageway when in the retracted position.

The LP-200 and LP-300 models appeared outwardly identical, except for a slightly taller hood over the upper tailgate section, which accommodated the additional hydraulic cylinders and associated linkage on the 300.

Photo comparison shows outward difference between LP-200 and LP-300 tailgate: LP-200 (left) has shallow hood over upper tailgate section while LP-300 (right) has a larger cover. This LP-300, mounted on a Ford F-series tandem chassis, was owned by the City of Detroit, Department of Parks and Recreation. It was part of a fleet of nearly 500 Gar Wood Load-Packers in use by that city in 1956. Load-Packers were originally built in Detroit, and (by the early 1950's) in nearby Wayne, Michigan.

The short-lived LP-300 series was to be the last variation of the original Load-Packer design which dated back to 1937. Load-Packers had always been complex machines, and became even more so with each modification. The mechanism had many required adjustments, and was not easily accessible for service. Though these packers had broken open the American market for hydraulic rear loaders and had dominated the field, they were starting to look their age by the late 1950's. Change was around the corner for 1957, when an all-new packer would arrive to replace the venerable Load-Packer.

9/30/04 (revised 9/11/09)