Methods and devices for assembling refuse vehicles
A method of assembling a refuse vehicle includes coupling body sub-assemblies to one another on a chassis after the sub-assemblies are painted. The body sub-assemblies are assembled from refuse vehicle body components. Each body sub-assembly is painted independent of other body sub-assemblies. After the body sub-assemblies are painted, the painted body sub-assemblies are assembled to one another on the chassis to provide a painted body of the refuse vehicle.
1 . A method of assembling a refuse vehicle, the method comprising:
obtaining a chassis and a plurality of refuse vehicle body components;
assembling a plurality of body sub-assemblies from the plurality of refuse vehicle body components, wherein at least one body sub-assembly of the plurality of body sub-assemblies comprises a mounting system configured to mount a refuse vehicle body to a frame, and wherein at least two refuse vehicle body components of the plurality of refuse vehicle body components are a track and a first plate fixed to the chassis;
painting each body sub-assembly independent of other body sub-assemblies in the plurality of body sub-assemblies; and
after painting, assembling the plurality of painted body sub-assemblies to one another on the chassis to provide a painted body of the refuse vehicle.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of body sub-assemblies comprises a tailgate, and wherein the plurality of refuse vehicle body components comprises a tailgate locking mechanism including a lug.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of refuse vehicle body components comprises a second plate configured to translate longitudinally along the track into alignment with the first plate.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at the plurality of body sub-assemblies comprises a hydraulic cylinder, and wherein the plurality of refuse vehicle body components comprises a hinged clamp configured to secure the hydraulic cylinder.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of body sub-assemblies comprises a washout tank, and wherein the plurality of refuse vehicle body components comprises a tank mounting system comprising one more straps configured to secure the washout tank.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of body sub-assemblies comprises at least one of a mud flap, a broom, a shovel, a prop stop, a fire extinguisher, and a wheel chock, and wherein the plurality of refuse vehicle body components comprises a mounting bracket defining one or more holes configured to receive a mechanical fastener to secure the at least one of the mud flap, broom, shovel, prop stop, fire extinguisher, and wheel chock to the refuse vehicle.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of refuse vehicle body components comprises a rail mounting system comprising one or more elongated rails fixed to the chassis, the one or more elongated rails configured to secure at least one refuse vehicle body component of the plurality of refuse vehicle body components.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of body sub-assemblies comprises a service hoist cylinder, and wherein the plurality of refuse vehicle body components comprises a hoist bracket configured to secure the service hoist cylinder.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein painting each body sub-assembly independent of other body sub-assemblies in the plurality of body sub-assemblies comprises powder-coating each body sub-assembly independent of other body sub-assemblies in the plurality of body sub-assemblies.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein assembling at least one of the plurality of body sub-assemblies comprises welding a first vehicle body component of the plurality of refuse vehicle body components to a second vehicle body component of the plurality of refuse vehicle body components.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein assembling the plurality of painted body sub-assemblies comprises attaching a first body sub-assembly to a second body sub-assembly using only mechanical fasteners.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein assembling the plurality of painted body sub-assemblies comprises attaching the plurality of painted body sub-assemblies to the chassis using only mechanical fasteners.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein assembling the plurality of the painted body sub-assemblies excludes welding the sub-assemblies.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein assembling the plurality of painted body sub-assemblies comprises connecting one or more electrical and/or hydraulic components to one or more of the sub-assemblies, the chassis, and the refuse vehicle body.
15 . A method of assembling a refuse vehicle, the method comprising:
obtaining a chassis and a plurality of refuse vehicle body components;
assembling a plurality of body sub-assemblies from the plurality of refuse vehicle body components, wherein at least one body sub-assembly of the plurality of body sub-assemblies comprises a washout tank, and wherein at least one refuse vehicle body component of the plurality of refuse vehicle body components is a tank mounting system comprising one or more straps configured to secure the washout tank;
painting each body sub-assembly independent of other body sub-assemblies in the plurality of body sub-assemblies; and
after painting, assembling the plurality of painted body sub-assemblies to one another on the chassis to provide a painted body of the refuse vehicle.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein painting each body sub-assembly independent of other body sub-assemblies in the plurality of body sub-assemblies comprises powder-coating each body sub-assembly independent of other body sub-assemblies in the plurality of body sub-assemblies.
17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein assembling at least one of the plurality of body sub-assemblies comprises welding a first vehicle body component of the plurality of refuse vehicle body components to a second vehicle body component of the plurality of refuse vehicle body components.
18 . The method of claim 15 , wherein assembling the plurality of painted body sub-assemblies comprises at least one of:
attaching a first body sub-assembly to a second body sub-assembly using only mechanical fasteners; or
attaching the plurality of painted body sub-assemblies to the chassis using only mechanical fasteners.
19 . The method of claim 15 , wherein assembling the plurality of the painted body sub-assemblies excludes welding the sub-assemblies.
20 . The method of claim 15 , wherein assembling the plurality of painted body sub-assemblies comprises connecting one or more electrical and/or hydraulic components to one or more of the sub-assemblies, the chassis, and the refuse vehicle body.