Classic Refuse Trucks WESTERN

Western Body & Hoist Company
Early Full-Pak and the A & P Body Connection, Early Top-Pak

Western literature claims 1958 as the first year for their modern Full-Pak front loader, and this picture is one of the earliest examples. The Full-Pak used a five stage telescopic cylinder for packing and ejection which protruded into the face of the packing blade. The end gate on this model is hinged at the top, and is pushed open by the load, then held partially open by the ram protrusion (which can be extended past the rear edge of the body floor) to ensure complete load ejection.

Lifting was still accomplished with straight arms and a Harbers shaft, and what appears to be a type of cover resides atop the hopper opening. We can also see the outside rearview mirror. This mirror may not have been retractable, since the arm width is more than that of the body itself.

A & P Body
Above is a close up of the mudflap from the early Full-Pak, which bears the name "A & P Body". Back in the Fall 2007 News update this site featured a 1964 classified ad for a used 1959 A & P "Fist Packer" (shown inset), a make and model which was previously unknown on these pages. Scott Blake recognized the seller's Northridge address as that of Granada-Sanchez Disposal, a known Western Full-Pak user during the 1960's.

The California plates appear to show a 1958 sticker. Though this is strictly conjecture, it is not at all unlikely that Western either bought or merged with A & P at some point, with early models still badged as A & P. If this is indeed factual, the "fist packer" name may possibly have been inspired by the shape of the packer blade, which looks as if someone had punched through it. It would seem almost certain that the two firms had a least some relationship based on this photo, and may have something to do with Westerns change of address from Maywood, to Juniper street in east Los Angeles.

This early 1960's Full-Pak sports more modern over-wheel lift arms, a beefed up body, retractable mirrors and heavy duty barn doors in place of the top hinged gate

The discharge end reveals a bigger ram protrusion made necessary by the larger swept area of this high-capacity body

Inside we see the awesome five-stage telescopic cylinder, and one of the massive hoses that feed this thirsty ram. Sliding supports riding on a central I-beam alleviate the need for excessive overlap of cylinder sections, and prolongs the life of the packings.

Western did not neglect the lightweight body market despite having the Full-Pak. This early 1960's Top-Pak adds maneuverability when mounted on the cabover engine White Compact chassis with its short bumper-to-back-of-cab (BBC) dimensions. Note the sliding-tube supports, which keep the packer blade on track, which are seen sticking out of the front of the cab shield.

Another Top-Pak on a 1962-63 GMC. Note the longer lift arms used with this chassis, and the retractable mirrors. The era of conventional cabs for front loaders was waning, and these were rapidly being supplanted with the shorter cabover design. The conventional cab FL combination would all but disappear by the end of the decade.

4/6/08