Three piece lift arm apparatus and method

A method of shipping refuse truck lift arms comprising:

• fabricating a first refuse truck lift arm weldment, said weldment being substantially straight;
• fabricating a second refuse truck lift arm weldment, said weldment being substantially straight;
• said first and second refuse truck lift arm weldments being fabricated such that they may be assembled without welding;
• and
• packaging said first and second refuse truck lift arm weldments in a single package;
• whereby said single package may occupy a smaller volume than said first and second said refuse truck lift arm weldments would occupy if packaged after assembly.

A refuse truck lift arm comprising:

• a first weldment section;
• a second weldment section;
• each of said weldment sections having a thickness and a width;
• each of said weldment sections being comprised of two C-shaped longitudinal members, said members being joined by longitudinal welds such that each such weldment section has two welds, said welds being along said thickness of each of said weldment sections;
• a first joint plate, said first joint plate being welded onto an end of said first weldment section;
• a second joint plate, said second joint plate being welded onto an end of said second weldment section;
• said first and second joint plates being complimentary and having bolt holes placed such that when said bolt holes are aligned, said first weldment section and said second weldment section can be joined without welding.