Following the introduction of the LM-400 series, the Load-Master line went through a rather long period with few major changes. City Tank Corporation had discontinued the Roto-Pac, leaving Load-Master by itself with its four basic models. Sometime during the mid-1970's, Load-Master Sales Corporation was established as separate division at Jacksonville, Florida.
An ownership change occurred during the early 1980's when Hackney & Son, an established vocational truck body manufacturer based in Washington, North Carolina, acquired Load-Master. Within a few years, the company was known as Loadmaster Corporation, Division of Hackney Industries. Loadmasters continued to be manufactured at the Culpeper, Virginia factory occupied since 1961. For the most part, only subtle changes were made to the product line during this period.
1973 LM-120
This working 1973 LM-120 model from New England was offered for sale in 2006. It was in amazing condition after 33 years on the job, and is a good example of the early LM-100 series. Incredibly, it was still on its original chassis, a classic International Harvester Fleetstar 2110. Only minor changes had been made since the original 1964 model was introduced. The gently rounded shape of the tailgate when viewed in profile easily identifies these early models.
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When viewed from the front, this 1986 LM-125 body looks almost identical to the '73 model
Rear view of another '86 model shows newer style squared-off tailgate lines, a running change made during the late 1970's-early 1980's period. Another change was the exposed tailgate lift cylinders, which had been enclosed on previous models. At this time the hopper was advertised as 2.9 cubic yards, though there had been no major structural changes. This was probably a result of a change in the way hopper capacity was rated within the industry, going from the manufacturer's rating to the TBEA (Truck Body and Equipment Association) rating system.
1984 Load-Master LM-120 HC with Sling-Type Container Hoist
This period also saw the introduction of a heavier-duty version of the original Load-Master model. The LM-100 HC (High Compaction) series featured larger 4.75" diameter slide cylinders and a pressure regulated ejector panel. The packer control system was changed to a split-cycle to comply with ANSI standards, which were adopted throughout the entire industry.
A short video of an LM-120 using the Load-Master sling-type container hoist
The LM-300 was the least changed model during the period. In fact, from its debut through the mid-eighties, it retained its original body and tailgate lines. This Hackney-era '85 model still has the rounded hopper shape and enclosed tailgate cylinders, but is equipped with the modern split-cycle packer control. Like the LM-100, hopper capacity was up-rated, in this case from 1.5 to 2.0 cubic yards.
The LM-400 received a change to the body bracing, with a single horizontal brace and fewer vertical pillars. Foreshadowing a coming change to the entire product line, the 400 received an 'open front' treatment to the body structure. This is a 1986 model LM-425.
