In article ,
(Way Back Jack) wrote:

On those large trash cans (e.g., 96 gallons) with wheels, there's a
horizontal aluminum bar. What is its purpose? TIA

http://cvwma.fullrangemedia.net/stor...ash%20cart.jpg

It is part of the cart components that "mate" with the hydraulic "shoe" found
centered and just below the bottom edge of rear-loading compactor trucks.

Following is a photo of a truck with TWO "shoes".

http://www.sa-transport.co.za/trucks...bage_truck.JPG

The employee maneuvers the cart from the curb and aligns it with the "shoe"
whereupon he activates a lever. The shoe attaches to the cart (using the
metallic bar about which you inquired), raises the cart and partially inverts
it, dumping its contents into the compactor bay, then returns the cart to the
ground, releasing the cart from the "shoe". I was unable to find any images
on Google showing this process but it is widespread and very common where
carts are used.

The one-man, fully-automated trucks are encroaching on this process. That
does NOT involve the metal bar. In fact, the main body of carts designed
specifically for such automation are perfectly cylindrical - without the metal
bar.

http://www.rotoind.com/images/prod_08RedCart.jpg

In the more automated, one-man system, an articulated arm extends from the
truck, encircles the cart with a strap or two, the cart is lifted entirely
from the ground, dumped into a SIDE-loading bay of the compactor truck, then
returned to its "original" place on the ground. This is ostensibly done
without the operator/driver leaving the cab of the vehicle.
--

JR