1985 saw the first major revisions to the Leach rear loader family since the introduction of the Sanicruiser in 1970. The changes had mostly to do with the body structure, which got an updated bracing scheme as weight-consciousness took hold of the industry. The 2-R and Sanicruiser became the 2R-II and SC-II respectively, while the Standard Packmaster S-II, then approaching its 40th year in production, moved up to the S-III moniker.
All models received new high-visibility tail light bars mounted high over the hopper opening. Though minor, some visible changes began to appear on the 2R tailgates for the first time since its inception. The rear face of the packer blade underwent several alterations beginning in '85. In later years, the upper tailgate cover panel was changed to a lighter polymer, as well as a new tailgate shape and sidewall bracing pattern.
During this period, Leach finally began to phase out the old Push-Out ejection system in favor of telescopic cylinders on the 2-R Packmaster. Only the Packmaster S-III and Sanicruiser II would retain the old clamp and release system until the end of their production.
This 31 yard 2R-II Packmaster is shown on its maiden voyage on March 1,1988 and was owned by the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. The Ford F-8000 tilt-cab it rides atop was a classic even back then, being unchanged since it first appeared in 1957.
Early 2R-II dropped the old 'Union Jack' bracing pattern on the back of the sweep panel which had been used since the beginning, in favor of a flat back. Subsequent versions once again would feature heavier, visible bracing
(LEFT): The first 2R-II's retained the old Push-Out (clamp & release) ejection system (CENTER): When the first telescopic cylinders arrived, they were mounted horizontally in the floor trough, in place of the old bar and cylinder (RIGHT): The last 2R-II's featured a mid-mount, angled telescopic cylinder which would carry over to the next generation
The early 2R-II featured a tailgate very similar in appearance to the 1959 models, with broad radius sidewalls, and a double reinforcing brace parallel to, and below the trackway (compare this to the next photo below)
By the end if its run, the radius of the sidewalls had been blunted slightly (where they meet the hopper sill), and a wide, single brace replaced the doubles below the trackway. Over the hopper opening, a new polymer access cover replaced steel, and smaller tailgate lift cylinders were used. Also note the first change to the Leach Logo since the 1940's
S-III Packmaster Packing Cycle (courtesy of Mike3141981)
Video of the Packmaster in operation. This 1980s model S-III Packmaster illustrates how little had changed on this model over the course of thirty-plus years of production, and thus provides us with an accurate demonstration of how it functioned. One significant change in these later versions is that the cycle automatically stops before leading edge of the blade passes by the hopper sill. This safety feature was applied to all American-built packers during the 1970s.
CRT contributor Bruce Polit provided the video of this truck, still in limited service with the City of Chicago as of early 2010.
Sanicruiser SCII Packing Cycle (courtesy of heatran345)
Take a trip in a 1987 Ford/SCII on container rounds with Wacker Sanitary of Portland
(courtesy of Northwest Garbage Trucks)
