Refuse lift arm assembly

A method of emptying refuse from a refuse container, comprising:

• holding a refuse container with a grabber device;
• and
• while the grabber device is holding the refuse container:
• moving the grabber device toward a raised position until a pivot gear engages a rack;
• and
• tipping the grabber device by continuing to move the grabber device toward the raised position as the pivot gear rotates and traverses the rack.

A refuse lift arm system for engaging a refuse container proximate a refuse collection vehicle, the refuse lift arm system comprising:

• a grabber device configured to engage the refuse container;
• a container lift comprising:
• a carriage supporting pivotal movement of the grabber device;
• a rail assembly supporting translational movement of the carriage;
• a tipping mechanism configured to pivot the grabber device relative to the carriage in response to relative movement between the carriage and the rail assembly;
• and
• a horizontal positioning system configured to move the rail assembly laterally relative to the refuse collection vehicle, the horizontal positioning system comprising:
• a base section, an intermediate section, and a distal section;
• a horizontal drive mechanism comprising:
• a first tether attached to the intermediate section;
• a second tether attached to the base section and the distal section;
• and
• a drive unit configured to drive movement of the first and second tethers.

A refuse lift arm system for engaging a refuse container proximate a refuse collection vehicle, the refuse lift arm system comprising:

• a grabber device configured to engage the refuse container;
• a container lift comprising:
• a carriage supporting pivotal movement of the grabber device;
• a rail assembly supporting translational movement of the carriage;
• a tipping mechanism configured to pivot the grabber device relative to the carriage in response to relative movement between the carriage and the rail assembly;
• and
• a horizontal positioning system configured to move the rail assembly laterally relative to the refuse collection vehicle, the horizontal positioning system comprising:
• a base section, an intermediate section, and a distal section;
• a first rocker-type roller assembly residing between an upper rail and a lower rail of the intermediate section, the first rocker-type roller assembly comprising:
• a first carrier pivotally secured to the distal section;
• a first upper roller rotatably mounted in the first carrier and placed in contact with the upper rail of the intermediate section;
• and
• a first lower roller coupled to the first carrier by a first arm;
• and
• a second rocker-type roller assembly residing between an upper rail and a lower rail of the base section, the second rocker-type roller assembly comprising:
• a second carrier pivotally secured to the intermediate section;
• a second upper roller rotatably mounted in the second carrier and placed in contact with the upper rail of the base section;
• and
• a second lower roller coupled to the second carrier by a second arm.