Refuse loading system with grabber device

A system for loading refuse, the system comprising:

• a grabber system, comprising:
• a frame;
• a first arm assembly pivotally coupled to the frame;
• a second arm assembly pivotally coupled to the frame;
• and
• a grabber drive mechanism coupled to the frame and operable to move the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly between an open position and a closed position to grab a refuse container, the grabber drive mechanism comprising:
• a driving gear;
• a first driven gear coupled to the first arm assembly and engaged with the driving gear;
• a second driven gear coupled to the second arm assembly;
• an idler gear engaged between the second driven gear and the driving gear;
• and
• a drive unit configured to rotate the driving gear, the drive unit comprising a motor;
• and
• a container lift mechanism configured to configured to couple between the grabber system and a refuse collection vehicle and operable to lift a refuse container held by the grabber system to empty contents of the refuse container into the refuse collection vehicle.

A method of grabbing a refuse container, the method comprising:

• rotating a driving gear to turn:
• a first driven gear engaged directly with the driving gear;
• and
• a second driven gear engaged with the driving gear by way of an idler gear, such that the first driven gear and the second driven gear each rotate a pair of opposing arms to close the arms on the refuse container;
• and
• lifting the refuse container while the refuse container is held between the arms.

A grabber system for loading refuse, the grabber system comprising:

• a frame;
• a first arm assembly pivotally coupled to the frame;
• a second arm assembly pivotally coupled to the frame;
• and
• a grabber drive mechanism coupled to the frame and operable to move the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly between an open position and a closed position to grab a refuse container, the grabber drive mechanism comprising:
• a grabber gearbox comprising:
• a driving gear;
• a first driven gear coupled to the first arm assembly and engaged with the driving gear;
• and
• a second driven gear coupled to the second arm assembly;
• and
• a drive unit coupled to the driving gear and comprising:
• an electric motor;
• and
• a drive unit gearbox,
• wherein at least portion of the drive unit is below the grabber gearbox.

A grabber system for loading refuse, the grabber system comprising:

• a frame;
• a first arm assembly pivotally coupled to the frame;
• a second arm assembly pivotally coupled to the frame;
• and
• a grabber drive mechanism coupled to the frame and operable to move the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly between an open position and a closed position to grab a refuse container, the grabber drive mechanism comprising:
• a grabber gearbox comprising:
• a driving gear;
• a first driven gear coupled to the first arm assembly and engaged with the driving gear;
• and
• a second driven gear coupled to the second arm assembly;
• and
• a drive unit coupled to the driving gear and comprising:
• an electric motor;
• and
• a drive unit gearbox;
• and
• a braking device configured to inhibit rotation of the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly.

A method of loading refuse, the method comprising:

• operating a drive unit to close a pair of opposing arms of a grabber system onto a refuse container;
• receiving information from one or more sensors coupled to the grabber system;
• and
• applying, based at least in part on the information from the sensors, a braking device to inhibit movement of the pair of opposing arms.