Rear loading refuse vehicle with a modular packer

A refuse vehicle body comprising:

• a refuse storage chamber;
• a tailgate on a rear end of the refuse vehicle body and configured to move between a closed position and an open position, the tailgate including a hopper configured to receive refuse;
• a modular refuse packing assembly in the tailgate and configured to compact refuse received in the hopper into the refuse storage chamber, the modular refuse packing assembly comprising:
• a blade;
• a slide panel comprising a lower end that is rotationally coupled with an upper end of the blade;
• actuators configured to move the blade and thereby compact the refuse received in the hopper, the actuators comprising:
• a first actuator rotationally coupled to a lower end of the blade;
• and
• a second actuator rotationally coupled to the upper end of the blade;
• a frame supporting the blade, the slide panel, and the actuators, the frame removably coupled to the tailgate, the frame comprising first and second plates coupled with and supported by first, second, and third tubular support members, wherein:
• at least the first and second tubular support members are bolted or pinned to the tailgate;
• the first actuator is rotationally coupled with the first plate proximate the first tubular support member;
• the second actuator is rotationally coupled with the first plate proximate the second tubular support member;
• a first linkage is rotationally coupled with both the first plate and the upper end of the blade;
• and
• a second linkage is rotationally coupled with both the first plate and an upper end of the slide panel.