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..
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).
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
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?
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.)
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..
BXM4C 3 years ago
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).
slant40 2 years ago
*gasp* Was that a PLASTIC trash bin at 0:28? Rare for the '60-'70s ;) Thanks for the post!
Trashman242 3 years ago
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
ClassicRefuseTrucks 3 years ago
lol Then I have my years wrong :)
Trashman242 3 years ago
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?
MitchellM15 3 years ago
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.)
ClassicRefuseTrucks 3 years ago
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.
POLIT1963 2 years ago
Awesome vids, you can tell how retro they really are.
cymbalplayer56 3 years ago