Lewin Southport, Lancashire and West Bromwich     Around 1938, Lewin Sweepers Ltd. of Crossens, Southport, Lancashire announced a refuse collection body which, at first glance, appears fashioned after the revolving-drum type as popularized by the German firm of KUKA. However, the Lewin CRC (Compressing Refuse Collector) would be better described as a cross between a Krupp (or Norba) and the KUKA. Refuse loaded into the rear of the round body was carried inward by a rotating screw, or propeller, which rapidly cleared the hopper area and compressed as the body filled. Unloading was accomplished by opening the end gate and revolving the body.     Post-war, the company moved to West Bromwich, where the CRC refuse collectors and Mechanical Orderly road sweepers were built, along with a rear loading refuse body produced under license from Jacob Ochsner of Switzerland. Lewin ceased operations around 1963. 1939 Lewin CRC with tailgate open, showing internal propeller. Body rotated only during unloading. Novel features of the Lewin CRC: Rear auger/propeller (16) continuously clears hopper and forces refuse inward, driven by solid inner driveshaft (19). The body itself did not rotate during loading phase. Auger shaft was semi-flexible to help it ride over jammed material. An outer shaft cover (24) was rotatable on bearings (31), to resist the winding of material around it. During discharge phase, the circular body (13) revolved on rollers (14), and vanes formed into its inner surface (33) pushed the load out the open rear gate. 1940s model with bodywork that concealed the rotary drum With tailgate lifted, a view of the compacting auger or "propeller" SELECTED PATENTS Patent # Description Inventor Assignee Date US2469033 Refuse collector Dear Lewin May 7, 1946* * Earlier patents were filed in Great Britain in the 1930s 10/2/16 © 2016 All Rights Reserved Logos shown are the trademarks of respective manufacturers Photos from factory brochures/trade advertisements except as noted