History of refuse collection (or the garbage truck):

Of course we should begin with a discussion on how the concept of gargbage collection and dumping evolved.

Unfortunately there is no single source, much less on-line, on the full history of refuse collection vehicles (which we call garbage trucks).  Perhaps the best book written on the subject is the Refuse Trucks Photo Archive by John B. Montville.  This book shows photos of garbage trucks as they evolved from simple dump trucks.  The first garbage trucks appeared soon after  the invention of motorized transportation.  Open top dump trucks were common place by the teens, but they were not designed specifically to haul garbage.  They were not very sanitary as an open top truck is an invitation to flies, vermin, and does little to contain odors.  Therefore, by the 20s covered body trucks were design to handle hauling of refuse.  It proceeds from there.

Perhaps the evolution of the garbage truck is best organized by technology rather than a chronological order of events, as there is overlap when each type was/is in common use.  It should be noted that the manufacturer of the refuse body is usually separate from the chassis.  We shall focus on the garbage handling aspect.
 

Type of truck		Notable models	Began
	Covered Body	British makes, 1920s	early 20s
	External Hoppers	Heil Collecto, 1929 Leach Garbage Getter, 1937 Heil Collecto-Pak, 1947 Garwood Bucket Loader, 1947	1929
	Rotary Loaders	Keller & Knappisch, 1920s Garwood Industries, 1938 City Tank Corp Roto-Pac, 1950s	late 20s
	Rear Loader Compactors	Garwood Load Packer, 1938 Leach Packmaster, 1950 Heil Collecto-matic, 1955	1938
	Side Loader Compactors	PakMor, 1947 M-B Packer, 1954	1947
	Front  End Loaders	Dempster Dumpmaster, 1955 Garwood T-100, 1965 Heil DuraPack, 1980s	1955
(Coming Later)	Garbage Trucks in other Countries	Europe Russia Japan	various

Introducting The Scraps, featuring clippings, sightings, stories, fun.

FAQ About the research and this project and help needed.

-- If anyone knows of an early garbage truck, still operational, I would love to hear about it --

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© 2003, TIgerdude.com
Page created Jan 5, 2003
Page updated Apr 19, 2003

Covered Body, Loading Hopper Trucks from "The Commercial Car Journal and Operation & Maintenance", Oct 1929
WM Front Loader from First Gear, Inc.
All other photos from literature of the respective manufacturers