When in 1983 the company was bought by Dempster and became known as Shelvoke Dempster, front loaders joined the company's range of vehicles. Vehicles produced under the RouteChief-RouteKing names were also introduced, using the swing-link packer method of their identical American counterparts. Despite similar outward appearances, the Shelvoke-Dempsters had composite-construction bodies as opposed to all-steel construction. "In fact they had aluminium bodies with only the bracing ribs and frame being made of steel, as well as a short two-foot section at the rear of the body where it met the tailgate/hopper assembly" notes Bill Wotherspoon who operated Routechiefs and Revopaks in his hauling firm Wastebusters. "This had a steel inner lining designed to prevent puncture/abrasion damage from the load as it was crushed into the body." 
Routechief swing-link system mirrored that used on American Dempster Route Chief bodies 
Shelvoke Dempster Routechief on three-axle 'PT' Series chassis 
Swing-link packer lowered into hopper 
Last of the 'P' Revopaks received updated 'Dempster style' bodies and slightly modified tailgates 
Rear views of later 'P' Series Revopaks. Tandem axle 'PT' (at right) rated to 22 tons GVW The Dempster association would prove to be short-lived one, as the firm was sold once again in 1988 to private interests, and ceased operation altogether in 1991. Thus ended a nearly seventy year run as a producer of the highest quality refuse vehicles, in many cases hand-built to meet the demanding needs of the industry. Above all, it was for their standards of engineering excellence that Shelvoke & Drewry contributed to advances in the design and operation of refuse collection vehicles. The extraordinary success of the Freighter, which remained in production for thirty years, established a company that although not producing the cheapest vehicles, was regarded by many as "the best."
10/1/04 (Revised 10/23/12) © 2004, 2010 All Rights Reserved Photos from factory brochures/advertisements except as noted Logos shown are the trademarks of respective manufacturers |