The Multi-Service Transport System (MSTS) consisted of a low-entry truck on to which a pair of container lift arms were permanently mounted, with a packer blade and hopper behind the cab. The actual storage body was itself detachable, so that when filled it could be disconnected, rolled-off the unit and tipped upright, and then replaced with an empty unit. Thus, the collection truck could continue rounds while a transport tractor hauled one or more filled containers to the disposal point on special trailers.
The MSTS was a collaborative effort between Gustav Edelhoff and Fred T. Smith, the latter having designed the famous Gar Wood packers of the 1970s. Gustav Edelhoff had created one of the largest waste hauling companies in Germany, and had been experimenting with hauling equipment of his own design as early as 1972. With the demise of Gar Wood in the USA, Edelhoff secured the manufacturing rights to the LP-900 and LP10-00 rear load refuse packers, however the actual production and marketing of those models appears to have been contracted solely to KSG and sold as the Europress.
MSTS was introduced in 1986, and over its production life saw many changes and variations. Variations were developed for front and side loading of commercial and residential waste. The original packer assembly consisted of a simple low-height partial-packer blade, which pushed refuse from the hopper into the bottom of the detachable container. A four cylinder quad-link packer was introduced around 1996 with the intention of preventing hopper jams.
In the United States, a version of the MSTS was produced by Heil Environmental, and sold exclusively to Waste Management Inc. The POD system was used by many WMI divisions throughout America, and the last working examples have only recently ceased operations. In 1989, Edelhoff sold the rights to the Europress rear loaders to FAUN, but continued production of the MSTS for a few more years, most recently under the name MSTS Logistik GmbH & Co. By the early 2000s, the MSTS system was being incorporated into FAUN products such as the Toppress X.
MSTS Packer II household front loader
Clockwise from top: Packer I household front side loader, Packer IV commercial front loader, transportlift truck with trailer and three containers,
and Packer II household front loader with 1,100 lire bin
Edelhoff packer chart showing containers used with each respective power unit
Edelhoff toggle link packer introduced in the mid-1990s
Edelhoff Multicontainer hook-lift system
M-S-T-S VIDEO
This is equipped with a right-angle extending lift arm which can lift twin wheelie bins, or single 1,100 litre bins as shown here.
