 
Early 1960's fleet of the Department of Public Works, Newburgh, New York. Pictured are three new Truxmore Pakkers, and older Pak-Mor and an early Roto-Pac MAY-JUNE 2006 UPDATE As always, the Member's Area at MSN groups is open 24/7 and provides a way to stay in touch and post discussions and photos. Many thanks and "welcome aboard" to all the new members who have joined recently. I don't typically acknowledge membership applications when they are approved, so if you are a new member and have a question, comment or picture to share, feel free to "jump in" and post it. And thanks to all of you who have posted those great pictures recently. A new article has been added to the Photo Albums section titled "Refuse Truck Conversions and Modifications". This is a fun look at modifications made to refuse trucks still in service, as well as some older trucks converted to entirely different functions after their effective life had ended. Click here to go directly to the article, or you may access all the albums and articles by clicking the Photo Albums button on the navigation bar. MYSTERY SOLVED Last month in this space I wrote about California refuse equipment builder Smart Truck Systems (STS), a small builder who took over the shop formerly owned by Los Angeles hauler Kosti Shirvanian's Western Waste Industries in 2004. While it was known that that Western had been building their own refuse bodies in prior years, very little else was known about them. Recently, Zachary Geroux contacted truck dealer Ampro Truck Sales, regarding the mysterious Stagg front and side loader bodies (as posted in the Salvage Sale album at CRT-MSN), and was informed that the 'Stagg' was in fact one of the trucks built by Western Waste Industries. Western had been building bodies both for their own use and private sales, but apparently ceased production shortly after being sold to USA Waste/Waste Management. Production of refuse bodies has resumed at the Western facility in Moreno Valley under the STS name, with Shirvanian retaining at least a partial interest in the new company. Many thanks to Zach for putting the pieces of this puzzle together. And speaking of Ampro Truck Sales, that firm also has a connection to refuse truck history. Ampro's Keith Alexander is the son of Harold G. Alexander, who built America's first cable roll-off truck. Look more information and photos on this truck in an upcoming edition. CRT MEMBERS AREA AT MSN GROUPS:  Once again, Dana Gregory has provided some information on a truck featured in the Unsolved Mysteries section. Dana added some background on unsolved #32, two trucks which were previously identified as Antonecelli rear loaders. While the previous identification was correct, these trucks were actually designed by the famous German builder Haller , and were licensed to the Italian firm. Dana sent along a diagram from a Haller brochure (pictured here) which shows the continuous packing mechanism, which might be best described as a cross between a Dennis Paxit and a Gar Wood Cyclomatic series. Presumably, none of these remain in production. Thanks for the update on this classic Haller!
On the discussion boards, the topic of trade shows came up with several members posting information about upcoming events. I have created a page within the Members Area titled Shows/Events as a place to easily reference them. This page is accessed from the left hand navigation bar on the main page, and members may post or update information themselves. Alternately, you may send it to to CRT and I will post it for you.  Tim Byrne has once again commissioned some more custom ASAM models, this time in the livery of A. Smith & Sons Disposal Ltd., whose colors have not been seen since being absorbed by UK Waste in 1998. Shown here is a Leyland chassis, and there are more pictures of these great looking models posted in Tim's ASAM album at Members Area, including a Volvo version. If all goes well, a reprint of the article about Tim's refuse truck model collection should appear in the Collectors Corner section in the next edition.
And I once again thank all of you who have contributed the new pictures to the Members Area in recent weeks. As always, it is your contributions that make the site so enjoyable. REFUSE TRUCKS ON FILM This month in the CRT Films page, I've added a few new titles from England by way of the Netherlands and Jaap Mikkers, who sent in some demonstration films of the Shelvoke and Drewry Revopak from the early 1970's. These fantastic films preserve forever one of the most famous and best loved designs of all time. One of the films even shows the early version with its chain driven packer in a vigorous trial run devouring all manner of refuse. The detail of these factory-produced films is great, and with any luck, more of these films will eventually surface as well. Imagine what it would be like seeing a Sicard Sanivan or early Heil Colectomatic in action, after having all but vanished in this age. Those of you in North America who receive the cable network TV Land should take note that episode #31 of Leave it to Beaver should probably air sometime in May. From the still pictures I've seen, this 1957 episode features a California bucket loader, possibly made by Advanced, Bowles or Gaskin. The series airs at 5:00 PM in the eastern U.S. time zone, but check the local cable listings in your area for details. I should be able to provide an exact air date for this episode within a week of its showing, and will post it at the CRT-MSN Members Area discussion board as soon as I have the information. Eric Voytko, May 7, 2006 Click here to return to the CRT Archives All Rights Reserved Logos shown are the trademarks of respective manufacturers Photos from factory brochures/trade advertisements except as noted |