The newest member of the Heil Environmental family of Half/Pack front loaders is also the smallest. The 20-cubic-yard Half/Pack sits on a single-axle chassis with a tag axle. While a standard 28-yard Half/Pack has a wheelbase of 210 in., the new unit’s wheelbase is just 185. Yet it retains the 12-yard hopper, curved body, patented clamp-on arms and interlaced subframe of the larger models.

It’s a full-eject unit with a flat tailgate featuring Heil’s Shur-Lock hydraulic tailgate lock system, which means the operator can unlock the tailgate, discharge the load, and then secure the tailgate, all without leaving the vehicle
cab.

The 20-yard Half/Pack is said to be gentler on city streets than larger refuse-collection vehicles, says Heil. It’s aimed at both commercial routes and residential collection, and can be used on manual, semi-automated or automated routes.

Heil developed the smaller model in response to a fleet’s request for a single-axle residential front loader because local ordinances of some cities in which it operates forbid the use of tandem-axle vehicles, in order to reduce wear on the streets.

Heil Half/Pack front loaders are also available as 23-, 28-, and 32-yd models.