Versatile collection apparatus for front loading refuse vehicle

A refuse collection assembly for collecting refuse contained in a refuse receptacle comprising:

• an intermediate container having an open top and a front wall,
• the intermediate container adapted to be carried on front lift arms of a refuse collection vehicle and selectively emptied into a collection body of the collection vehicle,
• a refuse receptacle collection assembly supported alongside the intermediate container,
• the refuse receptacle collection assembly configured for selectively grasping the refuse receptacle and dumping contents of the refuse receptacle into the open top of the intermediate container,
• the refuse receptacle collection assembly comprising a stationary elongate member, a carriage selectively longitudinally movable along the stationary elongate member, and an arm assembly supported on the carriage,
• the arm assembly being selectively pivotable about a substantially vertical pivot element supported on the carriage,
• the elongate stationary member adjacent the front wall of the intermediate container,
• the elongate stationary member having a horizontal length,
• the carriage having a horizontal width less than approximately one fourth the horizontal length of the elongate stationary member,
• the carriage selectively positionable along the stationary elongate member by operation of a first drive member,
• the first drive member carried on the carriage,
• the refuse receptacle collection assembly is supported on the intermediate container,
• the first drive member is a first hydraulic rotary motor, the refuse receptacle collection assembly further comprises an elongate toothed member supported by the front wall of the intermediate container,
• the elongate toothed member parallel to and spaced laterally apart from the stationary elongate member,
• the elongate toothed member disposed between the stationary elongate member and the front wall of the intermediate container,
• the elongate toothed member having teeth thereon engaged with a gear of the first hydraulic rotary motor,
• the carriage includes a rotary actuator having a generally vertical axis,
• the axis of the rotary motor being coincident with the substantially vertical pivot element,
• the arm assembly coupled to the rotary actuator,
• the rotary actuator selectively operable to pivot the arm assembly about the pivot element to any location over at least a 180 degree arc,
• the rotary actuator being a second hydraulic motor.