Roto-Pac and Load-Master: A History of the City Tank Corporation
By Eric Voytko


Load-Master 1973-1986


Load-Master factory at Culpeper, Virginia, circa 1973

    Following the introduction of the LM-400 series, the Load-Master line went through a rather long period with few major changes. City Tank Corporation had discontinued the Roto-Pac, leaving Load-Master by itself with its four basic models. Sometime during the mid-1970s, Load-Master Sales Corporation was established as separate division at Jacksonville, Florida.

    An ownership change occurred during 1984 when Hackney & Son, an established vocational truck body manufacturer based in Washington, North Carolina, acquired Load-Master. Within a few years, the company was known as Loadmaster Corporation, Division of Hackney Industries. Load-Masters continued to be manufactured at the Culpeper, Virginia factory occupied since 1961. For the most part, only subtle changes were made to the product line during this period.

    The most visible change was to the LM-100, which received squared-off tailgate lines, and the tailgate lift cylinders were relocated outside the body for easier maintenance. The hopper was now advertised as 2.9 cubic yards, though there had been no major structural changes. This was probably a result of a change in the way hopper capacity was rated within the industry, going from the manufacturer rating to the Truck Body and Equipment Association (TBEA) rating system. A heavier-duty version was introduced called LM-100 HC (High Compaction) featuring larger 4.75" diameter slide cylinders and a pressure regulated ejector panel. The packer control system was changed to a split-cycle to comply with ANSI standards, which were adopted throughout the entire industry.

    The big LM-400 tailgate remained unchanged, but the body bracing was reduced with a single horizontal brace and fewer vertical pillars. Foreshadowing a coming change to the entire product line, the 400 also received an 'open front' treatment to the body structure. The LM-300 was the least-changed model during the period. In fact, from its debut in 1967 through the mid-eighties, it retained its original body and tailgate lines.

1973 LOAD-MASTER LM-120



This working 1973 LM-120 model from New England was offered for sale in 2006. It was in amazing condition after 33 years on the job, and is a good example of the early LM-100 series. Incredibly, it was still on its original chassis, a classic International Harvester Fleetstar 2110. Only minor changes had been made since the original 1964 model was introduced. The gently rounded shape of the tailgate when viewed in profile easily identifies these early models.

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LM-120 with Load-Master 1-6 container hoist, an ingenious design using a single short-stroke ram



When viewed from the front, this 1986 LM-125 body looks almost identical to the '73 model



Rear view of another '86 model shows newer style squared-off tailgate lines and outboard-mounted tailgate cylinders



1984 model LM-120HC (High Compaction) with 20-yard body and 1-6 container lift



1982 model LM-125HC (High Compaction) with 25-yard body and reeving hoist



1986 LM-120HC demonstrator being tried out by L.R. Stuart & Son of Manassas, Virginia during early 1987
This was one of the very first 100-series bodies fitted with the new "Tag Axle" option



Hackney-era 1985 LM-320 still has the rounded hopper shape and enclosed tailgate cylinders, but is equipped with the modern split-cycle packer control.



1986 Model LM-425 with new body bracing and open front

SURVIVOR: HACKNEY-ERA LM-120, FOX POINT DISPOSAL (2019)



Video courtesy of and to MetroBoston Trash Trucks .






7/4/10 (updated 12/08/24)

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