Classic Refuse Trucks LEACH

Alpha, FL-104 and Curbtender

A 1987 Leach Alpha bought by Shields Transfer, of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Shields' first truck had been a '47 Refuse Getter

The mid range Alpha arrived in late 1986, and would eventually replace the aging SC-II and S-III rear loaders. Visually and functionally, it was very much a smaller version of the famous 2R. Leach had invented the slide-sweep compaction method, and dominated the high-compaction segment of the rear loader market for years. But not everyone needed a monster like the 2R, and Leach was losing ground to competitors in the mid-range segment. The Alpha was an attempt to shore up Leach's position in that very mid range, a task that the ancient Sanicruiser and Packmaster were ill-equipped to handle by the mid-1980's.

As mentioned, Alpha was a slide-sweep packer closely resembling the 2-R, including a three cubic yard hopper. However, there was one key difference; the slide panel cylinders were relocated to mounts high in the tailgate, and operated parallel to it. The repositioning of the slide plate cylinders bears close resemblance to the Schorling 3-R, which had been in use in Germany for several years. Since Schorling had been building The Leach 2-R and had great success with it, it would not be a surprising that the technology exchange between the two companies worked both ways.

The following year of 1987 marked the 100th anniversary of Leach Company, which had been building refuse bodies since 1932. It was a great milestone for the family-owned firm, which had on-board the fourth generation of leadership. Frederick E. Leach, eldest son of David Leach, had signed on in 1976, and his younger brother David C. Leach II had started in 1980.

Packer comparison of the Leach Alpha (left) and the German Schorling 3-R (right)

A 20 cubic yard Leach Alpha

By the late 1990's, as the SC-II and S-III were mostly eliminated, and the Alpha mid range had been joined by some clones of itself, the entry level Delta and a high compaction Beta. The latter was available with a 25 yard body, and may have been seen as a possible replacement for the 2-R. But the 2-R would in fact remain, and go through yet another major change in the next century.

The new pecking order for the 21st century; entry-level Delta, mid-range Alpha and high compaction Beta

FL-104 Front Loader

Company President David Leach poses with the new FL-104

Leach unveiled a new front loader for 1991, the FL-104 'Millennium' series. Featuring an all-new lightweight curved-shell body, the new Leach was one of the first challengers to the groundbreaking 1986 E-Z-Pack Hercules. The new Leach body, with 8,000 pound lift arms was initially available in 37 and 40 yard sizes. Packing cylinders were cross-mounted horizontally, and a full-length floor trough served as a liquid sump while adding rigidity to the bottom end.

Packing blade and interior of the FL-104

A 40 cubic yard FL-104 from 1994

Leach Curbtender

Rather than expend precious resources for development of an Automated Side Loader (ASL), Leach instead chose to market a proven design in cooperation with Wayne Engineering of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Leach sold the Curbtender (with their own badging) during the 1990's. The Curbtender featured a shallow, full-travel packer plate (with follower) for better densities and to assist during the tilt-unloading process. Body sizes available were 20, 24, 27 and 31 cubic yards. The 2,000 pound capacity lift arm could be adapted to lift containers up to 450 gallons.

10/4/09