PAKAMATIC 1964 Pakamatic on S & D 'T' Type chassis By 1960, a more efficient means of compaction was required. Along with the all new 'T' type chassis, S&D introduced the Pakamatic design. An aluminium body, to reduce gross vehicle weight, was loaded by a continuously reciprocating pressure plate in the rear hopper. Produced under licence from the French Rey design, again S&D produced a market leader, at one time achieving 60% of the British market as well as considerable export sales. Pakamatic method dates to the 1930's, as first built by Fernand Rey. Refuse is loaded by hand over rave (1); 'Inverted Drawer' reciprocating packer ram (2) moves continuously to push rubbish into body, powered by a single hydraulic cylinder at (A); As refuse passes from hopper into body, it is forced under fixed tines (3) which help shred bulkier items, and retain load already within body (4). Optional side body door allows hand loading during the beginning of collection route Left: Pakamatic shown with tailgate removed reveals high density refuse load Right: With tailgate raised, Pakamatic tips to discharge load One of the disadvantages of the design was the inherent instability, when the body was tipped for discharge on the difficult conditions of landfill sites. In 1969 the Paka Ejector was introduced to overcome this problem. On this a hydraulic ram operated a plate to eject the refuse rather than by tipping the body. Pakamatic was easily adapted for 'dustless' bin lift, while bulky items could be loaded in hopper side doors Another view of Pakamatic with dustless binlifts, here mounted atop a 1966 Dodge 'D" Series crew cab lorry Pakamatics on tandem-axle Leyland Mammoth Majors. Majority of SD packers left Letchworth factory on SD chassis 1962 SD advertisement contrasts first model with the most recent 'N' TYPE PAKAMATIC The Pakamatic refuse body remained in production well into the era of the 'N' Type cab & chassis, which is most often associated with the later Revopak body. The 'N' type was a departure for SD, having traditionally built their own cab. The basic shell of the 'N' cab was built by an outside vendor, Motor Panels, with SD adding the floor and rear wall. A fiberglass roof (for increased headroom) and oversized doors (which allowed access to stairs) were also specified by SD . Pakamatic was finally discontinued at mid-decade after a fifteen year production run 1972 ex-Oldham 'TBN' Pakamatic remains in preservation in the livery of the Borough of Keighley. It was restored by the City of Bradford 10/1/04 (Revised 1/17/10) © 2004, 2010 Eric Voytko and Brian Carpenter All Rights Reserved Photos from factory brochures/advertisements except as noted Logos shown are the trademarks of respective manufacturers