
McNeilus® refuse trucks are an ideal solution for meeting the growing needs of waste management. As North America’s leading manufacturer and supplier of refuse trucks, McNeilus® offers a range of vehicles that stand out for their unique advantages.
Three types of refuse truck exist: front-loading, side-loading and rear-loading.
In the previous article, we explored the advantages of front-loading trucks. In this one, we’ll explore side-loading trucks.
McNeilus side-loaders: when you need versatility

McNeilus automated and manual side–loaders exceed expectations when you need a truck flexible enough to handle the demands and obstacles of almost any type of residential routes. We offer a range of options in our side–loader product line to meet your needs. From Zero Radius™ and AutoReach® side–loaders offering efficient, high-performing owing to their single-arm designs, to the flexible manual/automated side–loader that can be used simultaneously as an automated side–loader, with an easy-to-use arm, and as a manual side–loader for the “extras” often encountered along many residential routes.
All McNeilus side–loaders feature McNeilus‘ exclusive Excalibre™ packing cylinders. Other features of the side–loader range include an advanced painting process offering superior coverage and quality for a long-lasting, high-quality finish. The McNeilus CODE™ control system available on the Zero Radius (ZR) side–loader puts superior truck diagnostics and troubleshooting at your fingertips, as well as the ability to add a garbage bin tipping device to the manual/automated side–loader to facilitate manual loading.
The ZR™ side loader also offers several enhancements that facilitate maintenance, increase performance and frame life, and reduce overall vehicle weight. The AutoReach® is one of the strongest side loaders in the industry, with an arm lift capacity of up to 2,000 pounds, and the manual/automated side loader can also be ordered as a strictly manual side loader.
The ZR side loader

There can be plenty of obstacles to deal with on a daily collection route: narrow streets and alleyways and clearance problems around containers. Overcome these obstacles with the Zero Radius™ Automated Side Loader from McNeilus.
This advanced garbage truck offers an innovative, yet simple, zero radius operation. The arm extends instead of pivoting, so you don’t need much clearance to grab the garbage cans. With an optional extended reach of 12 feet, it’s even easier to navigate dead ends and obstacles such as parked cars. This field-proven arm can also handle some of the densest routes.
The McNeilus CODE™ system is also available on the ZR™ Automated Side Charger. In addition to comprehensive vehicle diagnostics at your fingertips, there’s an integrated smart fuse panel, reduced hardware requirements, pre-start reminders, status messages, and much more!
The AutoReach side loader

Get up close and personal with one of the industry’s toughest side loader The AutoReach® automated side loader features a 2,000-lb. arm lift capacity.
The innovative design of the AutoReach® arm allows it to articulate laterally over an 8-foot range, making it easy to manage obstacles. The arm’s gripper assembly can easily grasp garbage cans from 30 to 110 gallons, and optional extended grippers can handle garbage cans up to 300 gallons.
To add to the benefits of this unique side loader, all functions can be operated at idle speed, minimizing noise and fuel consumption.
Manual/Automated side loaders

Collection routes can be unpredictable when it comes to what sits next to the curb. The McNeilus Manual/Automated (MA) Side Loader eliminates some of the uncertainties with an automated arm and manual loading mechanism that makes it the most flexible refuse truck on the market.
The easy-to-use arm efficiently handles residential garbage cans. The low rim of the hopper also allows the operator to manually dispose of the “little extras” often encountered when collecting residual materials. What’s more, an optional cart tipping device allows you to collect from both sides of the street.
This versatile vehicle can also be operated without the arm as a strictly manual side loader. The lowered chassis and low hopper lip make it ideal for one-man or recycling routes, allowing the operator to empty bins easily and efficiently.
McNeilus side loaders offer exceptional versatility to meet the most demanding residential refuse collection needs. Whether you opt for Zero Radius™, AutoReach® or Manual/Automated, you’ll benefit from exceptional performances, advanced features such as the CODE™ system and the ability to customize your vehicle to your specific needs. These residual refuse trucks are designed to make harvesting more efficient, quieter and more environmentally friendly, while offering exceptional durability and ease of maintenance.
In the following article, we’ll look at rear-loading trucks.

McNeilus will work with L’Arsenal to bring customers more access to parts, service and refuse collection products.
Dodge Center, MN. (Nov. 2, 2023)
McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE: OSK) company, has partnered with L’Arsenal to grow the McNeilus brand and expand its sales, parts distribution, and service support across Quebec, Newfoundland, Labrador and the Maritime provinces in Canada.
Founded in 1998, L’Arsenal is eastern Canada’s trusted supplier for heavy-duty emergency vehicles and safety equipment. The company also provides customers with a wide range of services including parts and equipment maintenance and repair.
“Our mission as a dealer goes beyond sales; it’s about delivering a superior customer experience, backed by a commitment to excellence and expertise, said Louis-David Lemaire, co-president of L’Arsenal. “We are proud and excited to partner with McNeilus, a pioneer in refuse collection solutions. Our vision is to match McNeilus’ high-quality product with our dedication to providing unparalleled service, ensuring a sustainable future.”
With this dealer relationship, McNeilus aims to enhance its industry leading support using dedicated, local sales and service teams to bring more access to products, parts and service technicians close to home. As part of its continuous improvement mission, McNeilus continually looks at ways to enhance the customer experience. Expanding its sales and support network through experienced equipment dealers in Canada will allow the company to tap into markets and develop relationships with customers that have been more difficult to reach.
“Partnering with L’Arsenal best positions McNeilus to enhance our customer support, provide high vehicle uptime, and deliver a superior experience,” said Lee Dreas, vice president and general manager for McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing. “They have a great reputation across Quebec and Eastern Canada for offering top products and customer service, and we’re looking forward to working with their team to bring our premium brand and refuse collection solutions to more customers.”
L’Arsenal Environmental and Specialized Solutions inc. is the exclusive Canadian dealer for McNeilus refuse products across Quebec, Newfoundland, Labrador and the Maritime provinces in Canada. Dealer-level support is now available from L’Arsenal, and existing customers are being onboarded into L’Arsenal’s parts and service support network.
About L’Arsenal
L’Arsenal brings together under one roof a wide range of products and services for environmental solutions and emergency response. In addition to selling trucks and safety equipment, we offer customers additional services such as equipment maintenance and repair and parts distribution. L’Arsenal is seen as a premier supplier among its customers. We are constantly developing our multidisciplinary expertise with a dynamic team that is committed to customer satisfaction and ensuring a positive experience. Visit: www.larsenalsolutions.ca
About McNeilus
McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing is an industry leader in refuse truck bodies, OEM parts and customer support and service. Our lineup of front loaders, rear loaders and automated side loaders help you handle routes efficiently. We offer a nationwide network of service and support, including mobile service techs across the country, same-day parts availability, and a variety of alternative fuel systems and services for any refuse vehicle. Whatever your challenge, we’ve been down that route before. Visit: www.mcneiluscompanies.com/mcneilus-refuse/
About Oshkosh Corporation
At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs approximately 17,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Hinowa, Power Towers, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, JBT® AeroTech and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit: www.oshkoshcorp.com
®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.
Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the Company’s ability to successfully integrate the AeroTech acquisition and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; the risks associated with international operations and sales, including compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; the Company’s ability to comply with complex laws and regulations applicable to U.S. government contractors; cybersecurity risks and costs of defending against, mitigating and responding to data security threats and breaches impacting the Company; the Company’s ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate other acquisitions and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; and risks related to the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this news release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.