Front-side lifting and loading apparatus

A device for handling a material collection container, the device operably engaged to a vehicle having a frame, a forwardly-mounted cab, and a storage container mounted on the frame rearwardly of the cab, the storage container having an inlet opening, comprising:

• a mechanism for engaging the collection container;
• a lift assembly including a lift arm mounted at a first end portion to the storage container and rearward of the cab, and connected at a second end portion to the engaging mechanism;
• a first powered actuator for moving the lift arm upwardly and rearwardly relative to the storage container and over the cab between a load position, at which the engaging mechanism is located near ground level, and an off-load position, at which the engaging mechanism is adjacent the inlet opening;
• and
• a second powered actuator for pivoting the lift arm about a vertical axis to move the engaging mechanism to a position laterally displaced from the storage container.

A refuse collection device, comprising:

• a cab;
• a storage container positioned rearward of the cab, the cab and the storage container each being of substantially equal and coextensive width;
• a lift arm pivotally mounted at a first end rearward of the cab and having a second end extending forward of the cab, the lift arm also having an intermediate section joining the first and second ends, the intermediate section being positioned in part at an elevation above the cab;
• a mechanism mounted at the second end of the lift arm for engaging a refuse collection container;
• a first powered actuator for moving the lift arm upwardly and rearwardly between a lower load position and an upper off-load position;
• a second powered actuator for pivoting the lift arm about a vertical axis to move the engaging mechanism to a position laterally displaced from the cab and the storage container.

A refuse collection device, comprising:

• a cab;
• a storage container positioned rearward of the cab and having an inlet opening, the cab and the storage container each being of substantially equal and coextensive width;
• a lift arm pivotally mounted at a first end rearward of at least a portion of the cab and having a second end extending forward of the cab, the lift arm also having an intermediate section joining the first and second ends, the intermediate section being positioned in part at an elevation above the cab;
• a mechanism mounted at the second end of the lift arm for engaging a refuse collection container;
• a pick-up arm connected to the second end of the lift arm for supporting the engaging mechanism;
• a first powered actuator for moving the lift arm upwardly and rearwardly between a lower load position and an upper off-load position;
• a second powered actuator for pivoting the lift arm about a vertical axis to move the engaging mechanism to a position laterally displaced from the cab and the storage container;
• and
• at least a third powered actuator for pivoting the pickup arm about a vertical axis, and for pivoting the pick-up arm about a horizontal axis, to facilitate the dumping of the contents of the collection container into the inlet opening of the storage container;
• wherein the lift arm, pick-up arm and engaging mechanism are configured to provide a nonobstructed forward view from the cab to the collection container at the load position.

A device for handling a material collection container, the device operably engaged to a vehicle having a frame and a forwardly-mounted cab, with a storage container disposed rearwardly of the cab, the storage container having an inlet opening, comprising:

• a pick-up arm for engaging the collection container while the collection container is in an initial location;
• a lift arm mounted at a first end portion rearward of the cab and connected at a second end portion to the pick-up arm;
• a mechanism operably disposed on the pick-up arm for holding the collection container;
• a first powered actuator for moving the lift arm upwardly and rearwardly relative to the storage container, and over and directly above the cab, between a load position and an off-load position at which the engaging mechanism is positioned adjacent the inlet opening;
• a second powered actuator for pivoting the pick-up arm about a horizontal axis, to facilitate the dumping of the contents of the collection container into the inlet opening of the storage container;
• and
• a third powered actuator for pivoting the lift arm about a generally vertical axis.

A method for refuse collection, comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a cab and a storage container positioned rearward of the cab, said cab and said storage container each being of substantially equal and coextensive width;
• b. providing a lift arm pivotally mounted at a first end rearward of the cab and having a second end extending forward of the cab, and also providing the lift arm with an intermediate section joining the first and second ends, the intermediate section being positioned in part at an elevation above the cab, the lift arm thereby providing a nonobstructed view from the cab while facilitating entry to and exit from the cab;
• c. providing a pick-up arm joined at a first end to the second end of the lift arm, the pick-up arm having a second end associated with a mechanism operable to engage a collection container when the collection container is in an initial location;
• d. pivoting the lift arm about a vertical axis to move the engaging mechanism to a position laterally displaced from the storage container;
• e. engaging the collection container with the engaging mechanism;
• f. pivoting the lift arm about the vertical axis to move the engaging mechanism and collection container to a position laterally adjacent the storage container;
• g. rotating the pick-up arm about a vertical axis to move the engaging mechanism to a position in front of the cab;
• and
• h. moving the lift arm upwardly and rearwardly over the cab between a lower load position near ground level, and an upper off-load position at which the collection container is positioned adjacent the inlet opening.

A method for refuse collection, comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a cab and a storage container having an inlet opening, the storage container being positioned rearward of the cab, and the cab and the storage container each being of substantially equal and coextensive width;
• b. providing a lift arm pivotally mounted at a first end rearward of the cab and having a second end extending forward of the cab, the second end of the lift arm being associated with a mechanism operable to engage a collection container when the collection container is in an initial location;
• c. also providing the lift arm with an intermediate section joining the first and second ends, the intermediate section being positioned in part at an elevation above the cab;
• d. first pivoting the lift arm about a vertical axis to move the engaging mechanism to a position laterally displaced from the storage container;
• e. engaging the collection container with the engaging mechanism following pivoting of the lift arm;
• f. again pivoting the lift arm about the vertical axis to move the engaging mechanism to a position adjacent the cab;
• g. rotating the lift arm about a horizontal axis so that the engaging mechanism is moved upwardly and rearwardly relative to the storage container and over the cab;
• and
• h. moving the engaging mechanism into a position adjacent the inlet opening in which the contents of the collection container can be dumped into the storage container.