PULL-BACK PACKER PHOTO PARADE The "classic" Bowles; Pull-Back packer on conventional cab truck chassis, bottom forks and salvage rack Note the bulky superstructure holding the forks that was a feature of early models. Truck is equipped with washout tank, and may have been a demonstrator. Interestingly, the decal has a different spelling of "Econ-O-Paker", instead of the "Econ-O-Packer" spelling that was most often used. At the small end of the scale was this 29-cubic yard BP-14-FL Econ-O-Packer with an optional Herman Lo-Step forward-control cab. The cab was fitted to the customer's chassis (at extra cost) at the Bowles factory, and was made by the Herman Body Company of St. Louis, Missouri. This is an early example of a vehicle specifically designed for one-man refuse collection Big jobs required something more like this BP-22-FL with a whopping 45-cubic yards capacity. These big bodies required a tandem-axle chassis, and additional frame reinforcement by Bowles (as did all of their front loaders). In some cases, the frame also had to be lengthened to handle such large boxes, also at extra cost. In the late 1950s, this body sold for $6875.00, which included the Pull-Back Partial Packer and lift arms and power-retracting mirrors. Other extra-cost items were available including outside controls and an automatic hopper cover. A pair of 32-yarders on REO truck chassis with an unusual triple-fork arrangement An un-mounted body on dolly offers a good view of packer plate front face City of Oceanside crew demonstrates riding steps on detachable hand-loading bucket. Body is a 32-yarder with side forks A battle-scarred 1950s-era Bowles front loader. This photo was probably taken in late 1960s or early 1970s Big pull-back packer doing residential pickup circa 1960. Truck is a White 3000 series Best Disposal was one of Bowles' biggest customers. This body is mounted on a International Harvester Large capacity body on container rounds The proud owner of a new Bowles front loader on a White conventional truck chassis 1/17/10 © 2010 All Rights Reserved Logos shown are the trademarks of respective manufacturers Photos from factory brochures/trade advertisements except as noted