US3654854A

US3654854A - Refuse packer

Info

Publication number: US3654854A
Application number: US8551A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth L Cook; Thomas R Mccartney
Original assignee: UHRDEN Inc
Current assignee: UHRDEN Inc
Priority date: 1970-02-04
Filing date: 1970-02-04
Publication date: 1972-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 1989-04-11

Abstract

An automatic cycling refuse packer and its method of operation are provided. The packer includes an elongate receptacle with a discharge end and a gate operably attached to the discharge end for movement to and from closing and opening positions. A ram and hydraulic cylinder assembly is provided within the receptacle and controls axial movement of a ram plate extending transversely of the receptacle. Pressure actuated control means and an electrical control circuit control the automatic cycle of the ram for moving the ram plate towards the gate, raising the gate, moving the ram forwardly at a high pressure and ultimately retracting the ram and lowering the gate.

Description

United States Patent Cook etal.

[151 3,654,854 [451 Apr. 11, 1972 [54] EFUSE PACKER [72] Inventors: Kenneth L. Cook, Uhrichsville; Thomas R. McCartney, New Philadelphia, both of [21] Appl. No.: 8,551

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,817,288 12/1957 Peters ..100/52 2,780,987 2/1957 Wall 3,070,003 12/1962 Stacy ..100/51 RAM CYLINDER 2,362,701 11/1944 Koehring ....l00/249 UX 2,705,916 4/1955 Millgard ....l00/249 UX 2,763,202 9/ 1 956 Gramelspacher.... 100/5 2 3,327,620 6/1967 Cole 100/5 2 Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite Attorney-Oldham and Oldham ABSTRACT An automatic cycling refuse packer and its method of operation are provided. The packer includes an elongate receptacle with a discharge end and a gate operably attached to the discharge end for movement to and from closing and opening positions. A ram and hydraulic cylinder assembly is provided within the receptacle and controls axial movement of a ram plate extending transversely of the receptacle. Pressure actuated control means and an electrical control circuit control the automatic cycle of the ram for moving the ram plate towards the gate, raising the gate, moving the ram forwardly at a high pressure and ultimately retracting the ram and lowering the gate.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures GAT CYLIND RS PATENTEDAPR 11 m2 3,654, 854

sum 2 [1F 3 ATTORNFYS PATENTEIJAPR 11 I972 3,654, 854

SHEET 3 OF 3 I Ll L2 T M STO P FORWARD LSJ 72 M2] M3 K PS 73 CR2 (CHM k CR3 l CR3 56 CR2 i FIG. 6 l I A CR3 I CRI L.S.3 i

INVENTORS KENNETH L. COOK THOMAS R.MC CARTNEY ATTORNEYS.

REFUSE'PACKER A refuse packer and a method of operation of the same are disclosed and the invention especially relates to a novel and improved packer means and the .control of the automatic cycle of operation of the same for compressing or compacting large volumes of refuse material under high pressures and ultimatelydischarging the refuse into an associated container.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Heretoforetherehave been various types of refuse packers provided and some such packers are in widespread use today. In many of such packers, some type of an elongate receptacle is provided with compression or pressure producing means therein for forcing large volumes of refuse into the receptacle for transport or storage therein. Most of such packers have been either fully manually controlled, or have been associated with transport means, or at most, the packers have been of semiautomatic operation and the packers have not been completely efficient and effective for transporting, storing or compacting large volumes of refuse into associated containers.

Heretofore U.S. Patents have been issued on refuse packers and they include US. Pat. No. 1,182,369 as a semi-automatic refuse packer and a more complex electrical and pressure control system for a refuse packer is shownin U.S. Pat. No. 3,250,414.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improved refuse packer particularly adapted for compactinglargequantities of refuse and forcing it into an associated container.

Another object of the invention is to providean improved refuse packer ofthe same wherein a pressure ram will advance at relativelyhigh speed-initially for initial compacting action, and will be changed automatically to advance at a lower speed for final maximum pressure compaction of refuse before permitting any discharge of the same from the refuse processing container.

Other objects and advantages of the invention include the provision'of improved hydraulic pressure controls and electrical circuit means to provide an automatic cycling pressure packer system for refuse; to provide means for compacting refuse in a container and'then for discharging the compacted refuse into an associated receptacle or member; to provide a combined hydraulic system and electrical system which are interconnected with each other to provide an efficient, relatively inexpensive maintenance free'type of control for operation of the refuse packer; and to provide a sturdy stationary refuse packer means having improved operating characteristics.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

Reference now is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a refuse packer embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a right-side view of the packer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic flow control circuit and associated means for the refuse packer of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram for the electrical controls provided for automatic cycling of the refusepacker of FIG. 1.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawings and referred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used to facilitate comparison therebetween.

INVENTIVE SUBJECT MATTER This invention relates to an automatic cycling refuse packer comprising an elongate receptacle having a discharge end, a gate operably attached to such discharge end for vertical movement to a position closing the end and to a position opening the discharge end, the receptacle having an open top for receiving refuse therein, a ram and hydraulic cylinder assembly secured in the receptacle with the ram positioned for axial movement therein, a ram or pressure plate extending transversely of the receptacle and secured to the free end of the ram; and pressure actuated control means including an electrical control circuit are present for moving the ram toward the gate at a relatively high speed, changing the ram movement to a slower speed when high pressure conditions are established, terminating the movement of the ram, raising the gate, again moving the ram towards the discharge end to force refuse from the receptacle, retracting the ram plate, and lowering the gate to prepare the apparatus for another cycle of operation.

Attention now is directed to the details of the structure shown in the associated drawings, and a refuse packer is indicated as a whole by the numeral 10. This refuse packer 10 includes an elongate, usually substantially rectangular in shape receptacle 11, which is of a sturdy, well reenforced construction. This receptacle l1 usually would be made from metal plates, reenforcing flanges and the like. The receptacle 11 is shown supported on a plurality of legs 12 which may have a plurality of vertically spaced holes 13 therein for receiving bolts or equivalent means for engaging and supporting the receptacle 11 in a desired space relationship to the support surface for the refuse packer. While not shown, the refuse packer l0 and the receptacle 11 is adapted to have a receiving member or transport means for compressed refuse attached thereto at its discharge end for receiving compressed refuse discharged from the receptacle 11, as hereinafter described.

This receptacle ll has a discharge end 14 provided therein and a gate 15 is usually in slidable engagement with such discharge end 14 for movement to a position closing the discharge end and/or to be elevated above the discharge end to permit refuse to be forced from the receptacle 1] at its discharge end. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings best show that preferably the gate 15 is received in a substantially U-shaped support frame 16 suitably secured to the receptacle 11 at the discharge end thereof. The gate 15 may have reenforcing lateral edge members, or

slides

17 and 18 provided thereon and these

edge members

17 and 18 are slidably engaged with complementary shaped recesses provided in the vertically extending portions of the support frame 16 for forming a sturdy reenforced construction positioning the gate 15 for sliding movement in a vertical plane. Naturally the gate 15 extends across the discharge end 14 of the'receptacle and can close the same.

FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings show that the gate 15 may have a plurality of horizontally positioned l-beams 20 extending thereacross and suitably secured to vertically extending end plates 21 and 22 forming the outer portions of the gate 15 FIG. 4 of the drawings best shows that the gate 15 has a downwardly and forwardly extending lower plate 23 provided thereon to form a sharp front edge indicated at 24 for the gate to facilitate forcing any refuse associated with gate 15 away therefrom on vertical downward movement of such gate. Preferably a pair of hydraulic double acting

cylinders

25 and 26 are secured at base portions thereof to the upper portion or the cross bar of the support frame 16. The

cylinders

25 and 26 have

piston rods

27 and 28, respectively, extending therefrom down through

holes

29 and 30 formed in the I-beams 20 to engage the gate 15 adjacent a lower edge portion thereof whereby the gate can be raised or lowered as power is supplied to the

cylinders

25 and 26 for gate opening and closing move ment.

The receptacle 11 also has a hydraulic cylinder and piston rod or ram means operated thereby. Thus, FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a hydraulic cylinder 31 which receives a piston rod or ram 32 therein and is adapted to force such ram axially of the receptacle 11 towards the gate 15 which is an important element of the refuse packer. The hydraulic cylinder and ram 32 are suitably secured in place adjacent the end of the receptacle 11 remote from the discharge end thereof with the ram 32 being slidably positioned for movement, usually on a horizontal axis, coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the receptacle.

Normally the receptacle 11 has an open top in the section thereof adjacent the discharge end 14 whereby large quantities of the refuse can be dumped or deposited into the receptacle and then have a pressure or compacting action performed thereon by means of a ram plate or pressure plate 33 which extends transversely of the receptacle 11 the full width and the effective height thereof. The receptacle 11 includes a top cover or plate 35 which is secured to and extends between a pair of sturdy elongate guides 90 having ribs 91 thereon that slidably engage the inner side surfaces of the receptacle 11 and are complementary to positioning means provided thereon. A fixed cover is preferably secured to the receptacle and it extends from a cross bar 92 at the end of the open topped loading section S of the receptacle to the closed end of such receptacle 11 to form an enclosed non-refuse receiving section in the receptacle when the operating means are positioned. Any suitable reenforcing means 93 may extend from the guides 90 to the lower portion of the ram plate 33. The guides 90 preferably extend to the closed end of the receptacle. The ram 32 and ram plate 33 are shown in their fully retracted positions to expose the full length of the loading section S for receipt of a load of refuse. The guides 90 and associated means are operably secured and will move with the ram plate 33 as the hydraulic cylinder 31 is actuated to move the ram towards the discharge end 14.

A hydraulic pump 40 and a drive motor 41 therefor are indicated in the drawings, while the details of the hydraulic circuit for control of the refuse packer are shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5. Thus, the pump 40 is adapted to withdraw liquid from an associated sump or reservoir 42 and force liquid from the pump through a line 43 which has a one-way valve 44 provided therein. A suitable pressure gage 45 connects to the pressure line 43 while a first pressure switch which is set to be closed at an adjustable pressure, for example 1,250 p.s.i. and which switch, indicated by the numeral 46, is connected in the control circuit as hereinafter described. A second pressure actuated switch 47 also connects to the pressure line 43 and it is adapted to be closed at a higher pressure, such as 1,500 p.s.i.

The various valves in the hydraulic circuit are all shown in their released or unactuated positions, and normally pressure from the pressure line 43 flows to and through a cut-off valve 48 which in its neutral position transmits pressure fluid to a line 49 that connects to the ram control valve 50. Pressure liquid can escape from the line 49 through a relief valve 51 to the reservoir 42 if excessive pressure such as above 1,750 p.s.i. is built up within the system. Pressure liquid from the ram control valve 50 flows to the ram cylinder 31 by a line 52 to cause the ram 32 and ram plate connected thereto to advance in the receptacle 11 towards the gate 15. Pressure liquid in the hydraulic cylinder 31 is forced therefrom through a line 53 when the ram or piston in the cylinder is being forced towards operative pressure producing positions, and such fluid forced from the cylinder 31 at that time is adapted to flow through the ram control valve 50 in such a manner as to be drawn into the line 52. The ram control valve 50 has a neutral position of B and actuated positions of A & C. In the position B, the released liquid from line 53 is drawn into line 52 by the pressure liquid flow and hence relatively rapid forward movement of the ram 32 is produced because both the pumped hydraulic liquid and the exhaust liquid from the cylinder 31 is forced into the operative pressure portion of the cylinder 31 for ram movement.

As the pressure builds up on the refuse being packed within the receptacle 11 by compression movement of the ram plate 33, such pressure will ultimately reach 1,250 p.s.i. and hence will cause the switch 46 to close. The switch 46 controls and actuates solenoid Z of the ram control valve 50 to force such valve to the right to position A and thus the hydraulic fluid return line 53 is now connected through the ram control valve 50 to drain to the reservoir connection 42a and only pressure liquid supplied through the line 49 will flow to the ram cylinder 31 for a slower speed movement of the ram 32 under the increased pressure conditions existing in the system. When the pressure in the hydraulic system reaches l,500 lbs., then the second pressure actuated switch 47 will close and this will energize the solenoid X that controls the cut-off valve 48 and terminates flow of pressure liquid to the hydraulic cylinder 31. The cut-off valve 48 has a neutral or released position A and a solenoid controlled position B. When solenoid X is actuated, at the same time, a solenoid 56 controlling a gate control valve 57 provided in the system will be actuated to move it from its released or neutral no-flow position. The gate control valve 57 has a neutral position B and actuated positions A & C, controlled by

solenoids

56 and 62, respectively. When the solenoid 56 is actuated the valve 57 is moved to position A and pressure from the pump 40 flows through the gate control valve 57 and an output line 58 connected thereto. This causes the

cylinders

25 and 26 to be actuated and forces the

piston rods

27 and 28 to be raised because of the axial movement of the

pistons

59 and 60 provided in the

cylinders

25 and 26 by pressure supplied thereto through the line 58.

When the gate 15 has been raised to its top position, then the solenoid 56 is deenergized and the gate control valve 57 returns to its neutral position B, and at the same time, the sole noid X of the cut-off valve 48 is released and it returns to its neutral position A from its actuated cut-off position B. Now flow of pressure liquid through the line'49 and through the ram control valve 50 presently in position B and the pressure line 52 occurs to cause the cylinder 31 to force the ram 32 forward rapidly and force any of the refuse in the receptacle 11 and previously compressed against the gate 15 out of the receptacle into any container secured to the discharge end 14 of the packer. The forward movement of the ram, between the time when the gate has reached its top position and the time when the ram reverses its direction, goes through the same sequence of operation as when the gate is down and the ram is packing the load against the gate. The ram will start out at high speed and low pressure and shift to slow speed high pressure on demand of the pressure switch 46.

In order to return the ram 32 and gate and ram plate 33 to retracted positions, when the ram has been extended to its outermost position, a circuit is closed as hereinafter described to energize a solenoid Y of the ram control valve 50 to cause position C thereof to be operative whereby pressure fluid flows through the line 53 to the cylinder 31 and causes retraction of the ram 32 in the cylinder 31. During such return stroke of the ram 32, a solenoid 62 of the gate control valve 57 is energized by activating limit switch 78 when the ram plate 33 is retracted to a position just behind the gate to cause pressure liquid to flow through such valve in a reverse manner and through a line 63 connecting to the upper ends of the

cylinders

25 and 26 and force the

piston rods

27 and 28 and associated means downwardly which expels liquid in the

cylinders

25 and 26 through the gate control valve 57 to discharge into an associated portion of the reservoir 42 so that the gate is moved down to its closed position. A one way check valve 64 is present in theline 58 to'pass liquid to the line 58 and a controllable by-pass valve 65 is in parallel therewith to retain sufficient back pressure in line 58 to prevent the uncontrolled lowering of the gate when the gate is to be lowered. During the lowering of the gate, the ram plate 33 is stopped in its holding position just behind the gate. When the gate reaches its bottom position, the system pressure increases causing the activation of the pressure switch 47. This causes solenoids :c" and 62 of the cut-off valve 48 and gate control valve 57, respectively, to de-energize and said valves to return to their neutral positions. The oil now flows through the line 49 to the ram control valve 50 which is in the C" position and to the line 53 causing the ram 32 to continueits rearward movement. The ram ceases its rearward movement when the limit switch is activated causing the entire machine to shut down. At this point, the receptacle 11 is clear to receive a new charge of refuse.

Reference now is made to FIG. 6 of the drawings which shows a schematic wiring diagram of the control circuit for the refuse packer of the invention. In this figure, suitable

power supply lines

70 and 71 are shown and the forward or start switch 72 is closed to start operation of a motor 41 to commence forward movement of the ram and ram plate 33 provided in the apparatus. At this time, all of the valve and relays are de-energized and the ram moves forward at its relatively high speed, as previously described, so that the ram plate 33 packs the refuse load against the gate 15. As the system pressure rises to 1,250 p.s.i. then the pressure switch 46 is closed to energize the control relay 73. Closing such relay in turn changes the setting in the ram control valve 50 by energization of the solenoid Z and the ram plate 33 is then moved forwardly at its slower forward speed movement.

Due to the further compression being effected on the refuse load, the systems pressure rises to, for example, 1,500 p.s.i. and then the pressure switch 47 is closed and this energizes control relay number 74 and solenoid X of the cut-off valve 48. The control relay 73 and slow speed forward solenoid Z are deenergized. Closing the control relay 74 energizes solenoid 56 for gate upward movement controlled by the gate control valve 57. The gate 15 then is moved upwardly and at the top limit of its movement, a limit switch 75, normally closed, is opened and this deenergizes control relay 74 to release the gate up solenoid 56 and the cut-off solenoid X of the cut-off valve 48. Such action frees the ram and ram plate 33 for forward movement at its high speed actuation by pressure supply through the ram control valve 50 and fluid pressure supply line 52 as in the initial forward movement condition. When the pressure exceeds 1,250 p.s.i. for load expelling action, if it ever does, then the ram 32 will be automatically shifted to slow forward speed by the same action as described previously when and if the pressure actuated switch 47 is closed. During this action, the ram 32 and ram plate 33 force the compressed refuse load into the container secured to the receptacle 11.

When the ram 32 and ram plate 33 are moved to their forward most positions, then another limit switch 76, normally open, is contacted usually by the ram plate and closed to energize control relay 77. This energizes the reverse solenoid Y of the ram control valve 50 and actuation of the control relay 77 also deenergizes the control relay 73 and the slow speed forward solenoid Z of the valve 50, if such ram control valve 50 has shifted to slow speed condition, and the ram moves rearwardly of the apparatus.

As the ram 32 is moving rearwardly, either the ram 32 or the ram plate 33 will contact and close limit switch 78 to in turn close control relay 79. By energization of the control relay 79, the gate down solenoid 62 of the gate control valve 57 and solenoid x of cut-off valve 48 are energized. Energization of the solenoid .r" of the cut-off valve 48 cuts off the oil supply to the ram control valve to terminate, temporarily, ram rearward movement. The oil supply is now diverted through the cut-off valve 48 to the gate control valve 57. The gate control valve being in position C directs the oil flow through the line 63 and the gate starts its downward movement. The relay 77 and solenoid Y remain energized during this sequence and the ram position retains the limit switch 78 closed as the gate moves down.

As the system pressure system rises to 1,500 p.s.i. when the gate 15 is down, then pressure actuated switch 47 is again closed and this energizes the control relay 74 again to deenergize the control relay 79 and the solenoid x of the cut-off valve 48. Such action also deenergizes the gate down solenoid 62 of the gate control valve and the ram 32 will again move toward its rearmost position. Continued movement of the ram and ram plate 33 rearwardly will bring a member operatively associated with the guides 90 into contact with a back stroke limit switch 80. Opening this normally closed limit switch 80 ready for a new packing cycle when the receptacle 11 has been loaded with new quantity of refuse for compacting in an ejection from the refuse packer 10.

The limit switches 76 and 78 are indicated in FIG. 1 as is the limit switch 80 and are actuated by suitable means (not shown) operatively carried by the guides so that the limit switches are all in protected positions, and are actuated by slide movement of the guides 90 produced by the ram 32.

Contacts M and M, are a part of the motor starter holding circuit and are closed when the motor 41 is started and remain closed as long as the motor is energized.

The

valves

48, 50 and 57 are of course solenoid actuated and spring returned to unactuated positions. The ram control valve 50 is a four-way three-position valve with a regenerative center position B.

The refuse pre-packer of the invention has another suitable relief valve connected to the line 43.

It will be seen that once the operator of the machine has actuated the forward or start switch 72, the apparatus will automatically function through a complete cycle of compaction of the refuse material being processed, and this will include a high speed forward movement of the ram and ram plate, a slowing of the speed under high pressure conditions, lifting the gate 15, renewal of the high speed forward movement of the ram 32 with a change to slow speed movement if high pressure conditions exist, push out of the compacted refuse, return of the ram and ram plate to a position behind the gate 15, lowering of the gate, and finally retraction of the ram and ram plate to a fully retracted position.

By variation of the pressures required for actuation of the pressure control switches 46 and 47, the operating conditions in the system can be varied. Likewise, other controls can be provided in the system to provide a reversal of the ram and ram plate at any desired time and thus a reversing switch 81 is connected in the circuit of FIG. 6 so that if unusual operating conditions exist, the operator can at any time reverse the movement of the ram 32, or operation of the apparatus can be stopped by a switch 82 provided connecting between the power lines in the system.

In view of the above, it is believed that a novel and improved refuse packer of the same has been provided and that this automatic cycling refuse packer will provide an effective, long service life under all reasonable operating conditions.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic cycling refuse packer comprising an elongate receptacle having a discharge end,

a gate operably attached to said discharge end for movement to a position closing said discharge end and to a position opening said discharge end,

a ram and hydraulic cylinder assembly secured in said receptacle with said ram positioned for axial movement in said receptacle,

a ram plate extending transversely of said receptacle and secured to an end of said ram,

a single source of hydraulic pressure fluid,

pressure actuated control means for moving said ram toward said gate, terminating such movement, raising said gate, and again moving said ram toward said gate; and

said control means including a predetermined low pressure actuated switch to change said ram from an initial high speed advance to a slower speed advance and a high pressure actuated switch to terminate movement of said ram when said high pressure switch is closed, said pressure actuated switches receiving a pressure corresponding to the pressure exerted on refuse being compressed in said receptacle.

2. In a refuse pre-packer as in claim 1, a gate control valve operatively connecting said pressure source to said ram and will deenergize the motor 41 and the machine is shut off and is 5 cylinder assembly, said gate being movable vertically, and a one way valve and a by-pass valve are connected in parallel between said gate control valve and said ram and cylinder assembly, said by-pass valve being adapted to set up a back pressure on said ram and cylinder assembly for control of the lowering of said gate.

3. An automatic cycling refuse packer as in claim 1 where said control means also include a ram control valve means operatively connected to opposite ends of said hydraulic cylinder, said hydraulic cylinder being double acting and having a pressure end and an exhaust end of a pressure stroke, said source of hydraulic pressure fluid being connected to said ram control valve means, and said ram control valve means connects both hydraulic from said pressure source and hydraulic from the exhaust end of said cylinder to the pressure end of said cylinder under less than said low pressure condition for high speed advance.

4. in a refuse packer as in claim 1 where said receptacle has a refuse receiving section and a no refuse receiving section, and said electrical system includes several limit switches positioned in the no refuse receiving section of said receptacle.

5. An automatic cycling stationary refuse pre-packer adapted for connection to a refuse receptacle comprising an elongate receptacle having a discharge end,

a gate slidably and operably attached to said discharge end for movement to a position closing said discharge end and to a position opening said discharge end,

a ram and hydraulic cylinder assembly secured in said receptacle with said ram positioned for axial movement in said receptacle and a ram plate secured to an end of said ram for power movement towards said gate, an hydraulic source operatively connected to said ram and hydraulic cylinder assembly, pressure actuated hydraulic control means for controlling movement of said ram, electrical control means operatively connecting to said hydraulic control means to regulate movement of the ram plate, frame means operably attached to said receptacle, said gate being positioned in said frame means, piston and cylinder assembly means operated by said control means secured between said gate and said frame means for controlling the position of said gate; and said hydraulic control means including low and high pressure actuated switches to change said ram from an initial high speed advance to a slower speed advance and to terminate ram advance when said high pressure switch is closed, said pressure actuated switches receiving a pressure proportional to the pressure exerted on refuse being compressed in said receptacle, said control means being operable to open said gate when said ram is stopped and to advance said ram at its high speed advance after said gate is opened. 6. In a refuse pre-packer, as in claim 5, the improvement of a hydraulic pressure supply means; said hydraulic control means including a cut-off valve and a ram control valve connected in a series between said pressure supply means and said cylinder; and a gate control valve connected to said pressure supply means and opened for movement of said gate only when said cut-off valve is closed.

Claims

1. An automatic cycling refuse packer comprising an elongate receptacle having a discharge end, a gate operably attached to said discharge end for movement to a position closing said discharge end and to a position opening said discharge end, a ram and hydraulic cylinder assembly secured in said receptacle with said ram positioned for axial movement in said receptacle, a ram plate extending transversely of said receptacle and secured to an end of said ram, a single source of hydraulic pressure fluid, pressure actuated control means for moving said ram toward said gate, terminating such movement, raising said gate, and again moving said ram toward said gate; and said control means including a predetermined low pressure actuated switch to change said ram from an initial high speed advance to a slower speed advance and a high pressure actuated switch to terminate movement of said ram when said high pressure switch is closed, said pressure actuated switches receiving a pressure corresponding to the pressure exerted on refuse being compressed in said receptacle.

2. In a refuse pre-packer as in claim 1, a gate control valve operatively connecting said pressure source to said ram and cylinder assembly, said gate being movable vertically, and a one way valve and a by-pass valve are connected in parallel between said gate control valve and said ram and cylinder assembly, said by-pass valve being adapted to set up a back pressure on said ram and cylinder assembly for control of the lowering of said gate.

5. An automatic cycling stationary refuse pre-packer adapted for connection to a refuse receptacle comprising an elongate receptacle having a discharge end, a gate slidably and operably attached to said discharge end for movement to a position closing said discharge end and to a position opening said discharge end, a ram and hydraulic cylinder assembly sEcured in said receptacle with said ram positioned for axial movement in said receptacle and a ram plate secured to an end of said ram for power movement towards said gate, an hydraulic source operatively connected to said ram and hydraulic cylinder assembly, pressure actuated hydraulic control means for controlling movement of said ram, electrical control means operatively connecting to said hydraulic control means to regulate movement of the ram plate, frame means operably attached to said receptacle, said gate being positioned in said frame means, piston and cylinder assembly means operated by said control means secured between said gate and said frame means for controlling the position of said gate; and said hydraulic control means including low and high pressure actuated switches to change said ram from an initial high speed advance to a slower speed advance and to terminate ram advance when said high pressure switch is closed, said pressure actuated switches receiving a pressure proportional to the pressure exerted on refuse being compressed in said receptacle, said control means being operable to open said gate when said ram is stopped and to advance said ram at its high speed advance after said gate is opened.

6. In a refuse pre-packer, as in claim 5, the improvement of a hydraulic pressure supply means; said hydraulic control means including a cut-off valve and a ram control valve connected in a series between said pressure supply means and said cylinder; and a gate control valve connected to said pressure supply means and opened for movement of said gate only when said cut-off valve is closed.