Heil Colectomatic 16-yard
Owned by Waste Pro Museum
Sanford, Florida

In the days before the slide-sweep rear loader came to dominance, Heil broke into the market with the Colectomatic, a hinged-hopper type packer which was their first true compaction body. Subsequent variations (Mark II, Mark III and Formula 3000) became worldwide best-sellers and remained in production until the 1980s. This beautiful example is one of the original 1950s versions, with hydro-mechanical packer operation and tilt-dump body, mated to a period-correct Ford F-500. What you see is most likely the only one of its kind in existence, outside of salvage yards.     This truck is a prime example of the dedication of John Jennings and everyone at the Waste Pro Museum to the preservation of refuse truck history. Not only is the Colectomatic an important model for Heil, it is a vital link in the evolution or rear loader design. However, it was only produced between 1953 and 1960, a very short run as refuse bodies are concerned. With the passage of time since production ended, it was once thought unlikely that one would ever be found intact, not to mention restored.     Luckily, this body was found at the LeMay Museum in Washington by Zachary Geroux. Not surprisingly, it was about as much a 'basket case' as you will ever find. Its condition would discourage most collectors from even considering it as a restoration project. Not only did WPM transport the body 3,000 miles east to Florida, their expert craftsmen rebuilt it almost piece-by-piece, much like the Bionic Man of 1970s TV fame. Comparing the photo below with the finished product pretty well says it all. 4/6/22 Photos by Waste Pro Museum Logos shown are the trademarks of respective manufacturers