L.A. 1972 Pt.1-Heil Colectomatic Mark III

[BXM4C]

It was so wonderful to see a Colectomatic in action again. However, this is the first time I have ever seen one on a tandem chassis. The ones owned by the DSNY were all GMC/IH single axle frames. I used to watch them from my second floor window when I was a kid..

[slant40]

IIRC the 25F were double axle. The 252 were smaller than the 25D and 25E. 25E-322 tried to swallow an old-style fridge and promptly choked on the load (1980 in QS13 district).

[Trashman242]

*gasp* Was that a PLASTIC trash bin at 0:28? Rare for the '60-'70s ;) Thanks for the post!

[ClassicRefuseTrucks]

I remember that can; they used to be bright green and had black covers. It was a very soft, flexible plastic which would last a couple of years and then split lengthwise.

Plastic barrels first came on the scene in the late 50's/early 60's, and by 1972 were in fairly wide use by consumers

[Trashman242]

lol Then I have my years wrong :)

[MitchellM15]

Now that was an awesome close-up! I didn't realise that the whole floor actually rises, I thought it was just like a door that seals off the hopper entry... nice to learn that :) Like the system, though I guess there would've been some pressure on the floor with heavy materials when it's lifted?

[ClassicRefuseTrucks]

I don't think these were ever meant to handle bulky refuse. Not to say that they weren't robust, and packed a hell of a load. I have little doubt that these could handle just about anything as long as it didn't get wedged between the bucket and packer edges. (Like a water heater if it was laid sideways and inside the bucket.)

[POLIT1963]

Two guys I knew through in a stove & broke the whole bucket out. Chicago use to run open dump trucks for bulk in those days.

[cymbalplayer56]

Awesome vids, you can tell how retro they really are.