Refuse Rear Load Trucks For Sale

Body size is the first call on a rear loader. Most refuse rear load trucks, also known as rear loader garbage trucks or rear load packers, range from 20 to 32 cubic yards. Smaller bodies suit dense urban routes with frequent dumping, larger bodies fit suburban or rural routes where round trips to the transfer station are longer. Compaction performance matters as much as capacity. High-compaction designs in the 3 to 6 to 1 range let you carry more legal payload per trip and reduce blows, but higher compaction can slow cycle speed and increase wear if route material is bulky. Common bodies include Heil DuraPack and PT1000, McNeilus Standard and HD, New Way Cobra and King Cobra, Loadmaster Legacy, Pak-Mor, and Labrie rear loaders.

Chassis selection sets payload, maneuverability, and crew ergonomics. A 4x2 at 33,000 to 37,000 GVWR is agile for alley work and tight cul-de-sacs, while a 6x4 at 54,000 to 66,000 GVWR carries heavier commercial waste and construction debris with better weight distribution. Popular powertrains pair a Cummins L9 or PACCAR PX-9 with an Allison 3000 or 3500 RDS and hot-shift PTO for packer hydraulics. Low-entry cabs from Mack LR, Autocar ACX, and Peterbilt 520 reduce step height and improve curbside visibility, though conventional cabs like Freightliner M2, International HV, and Kenworth T4 series remain common. Wheelbase and axle spacing should balance bridge law compliance with turning radius, and suspension choices like Hendrickson walking beam or heavy air ride affect stability at the landfill face.

Rear loaders focus on versatility at the tailgate. Look for hopper sill height that favors manual loading, dual cart tippers that accept common ANSI compliant carts, kick-bar or winch options for bulky items, and packer cycle times in the 12 to 18 second range for route productivity. Hydraulics with appropriate pump flow and cooling keep cycle speed consistent in hot weather. Body construction with AR steel floors and packer wear plates, scuff liners, drip rails, and tight tailgate seals minimizes corrosion and leachate issues. Safety and uptime features such as interlocks, e-stop switches, rear and hopper cameras, LED work lights, auto lube, and onboard scales or telematics streamline daily operations and compliance with ANSI Z245 standards.

Match the spec to material stream and region. Yard waste and bulky pickups push you toward heavier duty bodies and 6x4 chassis, dense residential routes reward fast-cycle packers and low-entry cabs. Diesel remains the simplest nationwide, while CNG reduces noise and emissions for municipal contracts, with roof or behind-cab tanks typically 60 to 90 DGE and added weight to plan around. In emissions-restricted areas, verify CARB compliance and aftertreatment history. For used units, prioritize body hours and packer cycle counts over odometer miles, then inspect pins and bushings, tailgate seals, cylinder rods, hopper and trough wear, frame corrosion, hydraulic leaks, and CNG tank certification dates. Choosing the right blend of body capacity, compaction, chassis configuration, and crew ergonomics drives route productivity and cost per stop.