 
American LaFrance
Elmira, New York
ROTARY REFUSE BODY
The famous maker of fire apparatus added this American LaFrance refuse collector to the product line about 1933. The example shown here appears to share many features with the Von Keller. These early American versions are open-ended drums and lack the rear cone bulkhead used on the German KUKA refuse collectors. Thus, the thirteen degree forward pitch of the drum would be needed to avoid 'fallback' of refuse into the loading opening, which was about 60 inches above street level.
Like the KUKA, the American LaFrance body featured internal vanes to automatically trim the load as the drum revolved at idle speed, turning at about 6-12 R.P.M. Unloading was by hydraulic tilt of the drum carriage and reversing the rotation. This body is very similar to units sold by Von Keller and Keystone, though any relationship between the makes has not been established.
Though the refuse collector was short-lived, American LaFrance remained as a specialist vehicle builder, primarily fire apparatus but also some cabs and chassis for refuse service. The company went through multiple changes of ownerships and moves. In its last incarnation, ALF produced the Condor, a commercial cab and chassis designed for refuse service, being equipped with various OEM bodies of the customers choice. The company ceased operations in 2014.
The following three pictures came from Ebay, and appear to be ALF factory photos from 1933:
September, 2007 advertisement announcing the new Condor chassis. Body is by New-Way
2008 ALF Condor truck chassis equipped with AMREP refuse body
6/12/15
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Logos shown are the trademarks of respective manufacturers
Photos from factory brochures/trade advertisements except as noted
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