Control system to automatically raise collection mechanism of side loading commodity collection vehicle

1. An apparatus to control placement of a collection mechanism of a side loading commodity collection vehicle, comprising:

a sensing apparatus responsive to the position of the collection mechanism relative to a sidewall of the vehicle;

a control apparatus to raise the collection mechanism to a parked position when the collection mechanism is fully retracted to a position alongside the side loading commodity collection vehicle wherein a lower end of the collection mechanism will be raised a specified distance above a surface of a roadway supporting the side loading commodity collection vehicle;

the control apparatus automatically operable to raise the collection mechanism to the parked position without intervention of an operator of the side loading commodity collection vehicle;

the parked position is automatically raised by the control apparatus to maintain the specified distance when the sensing apparatus detects a height of the surface that can cause damage to the collection mechanism.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:

the control apparatus comprises a proximity sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein:

the control apparatus further comprises a target.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein:

the proximity sensor can sense the target;

the control apparatus selectively activates a relay.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein:

the relay actuates a second control mechanism.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein:

the second control mechanism is a solenoid.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:

the solenoid selectively activates a lifting mechanism which raises the collection mechanism.

8. A control system to raise a collection mechanism on a side loading commodity collection vehicle to a travel position, comprising:

a sensing apparatus responsive to presence of a target element on the collection mechanism;

a control apparatus to activate a lifting mechanism to raise the collection mechanism to a travel position when the sensing apparatus detects presence of the target element;

wherein the collection mechanism is raised sufficiently that a lower end of the collection mechanism is spaced at least a clearance distance above a surface of a roadway on which the commodity collection vehicle is operable;

the travel position is automatically raised by the control apparatus to maintain the clearance distance when the sensing apparatus detects a height of the surface that can cause damage to the collection mechanism.

9. The control system of claim 8 , wherein:

the control system selectively activates a relay.

10. The control system of claim 9 , wherein:

the relay actuates a regulator.

11. The control system of claim 10 , wherein:

the regulator is a solenoid.

12. The control system of claim 11 , wherein:

the solenoid selectively activates a lifting mechanism which raises the collection mechanism.

13. A control system to raise a collection mechanism on a side loading commodity collection vehicle to a travel position, comprising:

a sensing apparatus responsive to presence of a target element on the collection mechanism;

a control apparatus to activate a lifting mechanism to raise the collection mechanism to a travel position when the sensing apparatus detects presence of the target element;

wherein the collection mechanism is raised sufficiently that a lower end of the collection mechanism is spaced at least a clearance distance above a surface of a roadway on which the commodity collection vehicle is operable;

the sensing apparatus is a proximity sensor,

the control apparatus comprises a relay selectively activated by a signal from the proximity sensor

the travel position is automatically raised by the control apparatus to maintain the clearance distance when the sensing apparatus detects a height of the surface that can cause damage to the collection mechanism.

14. The control system of claim 13 , wherein:

the control apparatus further comprises a hydraulic valve selectively shifted when the relay is activated.

15. The control system of claim 14 , wherein:

the control apparatus further comprises a hydraulic cylinder responsive to a shift of the hydraulic valve, the hydraulic cylinder operable to raise the collection mechanism to the travel position.

16. The control system of claim 15 , wherein:

the travel position is approximately twelve inches above the surface.