1982 American LaFrance Heil Forumla 7000
Комедия
Well, I have lots to say about this one so before you watch the video please feel free to read this first as it's quite the story.
Out in central Washington off of highway 82 lies this small town called Granger. As you drive through, you immediately notice all of the old fully automated durakans in the city. Of course, you start to wonder what trucks must have collected these cans back in the 80s and 90s when they were rolled out. Well as surprising as it was, those trucks are still around haha
After learning about the 3 trucks that this city runs (this american lafrance, pete 310 7000, and their newest truck being a 320 formula 7000), I thought to myself how cool it would be to actually see this American LaFrance out on route, as well as the 310. Seeing as their normal truck was the 310 I figured someday it would run on route as a spare and this American LaFrance would just sit in the lot and rot.
One day I decided to call this town and inquire about seeing it in action or at least getting some more detailed pictures of it, thinking the worst since doing this rarely pans out in my favor. As luck would have it though, the city was super cool about it and actually said they would start it up and run it. After that, we set up a time to come out and get it in action. A bunch of us (Mike, Alex, Bryn, and myself) all gathered together to go make the trip out to see this one of a kind truck in action. We got to the yard at 8am right as they were starting and met up with the entire public works crew, who are by far some of the friendliest people I've met. They immediately started talking with us about Classic Refuse Trucks and all that we do to find trucks. About 20 minutes after talking with us, they start up the 310 7000 to go jump start the American LaFrance (using 1 classic truck to start another classic haha). After starting the 310 and revving it a bit and getting it warmed up, the head of public works was telling us how the 310 sounded like a tinker toy compared to the American LaFrance. Of course, this was welcomed news. Once that 310 was warmed up, they hooked up the jumper cables and actually brought out their portable battery charger for the second battery. They spent probably 30 minutes at least trying to get the truck started. I couldn't believe how long they spent trying to get this truck started. Finally, it turned over and came to life and the rest is pretty straight forward from there. Got to do some arm cycles with it and watch it do it's thing.
The whole public works operation was just thrilled to see that someone was interested in their operations and all of their trucks. They have about a dozen trucks in their yard, with the newest truck being their 320 heil 7000 and their oldest being a 1966 ford sand trucks/snow plow. Everything is still operational and functioning. They don't believe in new trucks, and actually hate their new 320 7000 and would rather use the old trucks. They have an in house metal fabrication shop that they use to refurbish their trucks, and interestingly enough, build metal dinosaurs for the city. Their city slogan is "Granger, Where the dinosaurs roam" which if you look at their truck fleet, is quite the accurate statement lol And yes, they do have plans to fix up this truck, and actually repaint it and make it new looking. They're going to replace all the bushings in the arm, and refurbish the body and packer blade in this beast. They have no intentions of getting rid of this truck anytime soon.
On to the actual truck now. This truck is a 1982 American LaFrance Heil Formula 7000. This is coincidentally, one of the first ASL's that Heil made. Heil has actually come out to Granger and have actually asked to buy the truck back for history purposes since it's so old. This truck is powered by a cummins engine, one that you might see on a long haul trucks. This truck is way over powered which is why it's probably doing so well since the engine doesn't have to struggle to hold its own to power this truck. The grippers are able to be interchanged between 300s and 90 gallon grippers. When revved it moves very fast as you can tell. I really hope you enjoy this video as a ton of effort went into it, both on my part and the city's part for getting it up and running for us. I would like to extend a gracious thank you to the city for being so interested and accommodating. By far, one of the best filming experiences I've had. Enjoy this old classic in action doing it's thing!
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Пікірлер: 39
Wow!! What an amazing truck to find in 2016!!
I love reading detailed descriptions filled with a story like the one I just read - awesome enquiring with the city about the truck and getting what I bet was an unexpected positive response. Sounds like a bunch of champions work for Granger public works eh?! I'm mad jealous yet again you guys managed to see this truck AND operate it... like shit if I got to operate a 1982 model garbage truck here in Oz I'd go hysterical lol Mean little truck this one... I was already keen to hear the engine upon reading it had a Cummins and I literally raised my eyebrows when I heard the engine get moving shortly after 0:25 :P Couldn't help but notice the packer had a real quick cycle, seemed like it didn't want to retract a few times but. Love the parking up shot at the engine with the dark storm clouds, an idling diesel engine and suddenly silence. Can't miss the big HEIL printed sideways on the body too haha
Very awesome video! That's super rare!
What an awesome old truck! great video
@westcoastrefusetrucks
7 жыл бұрын
thank you!
Damn I miss the Heil 7000😢
This is cool! It’s exactly almost the same video as from Trash and Trash productions!
Glad to see this oldie run
Nice to see a truck still in 2016 from the era when automation was an almost brand new thing. If you didn't feature American LaFrance in the title, I would have mistaken it for a CCC xD
@westcoastrefusetrucks
7 жыл бұрын
Its amazing how much good stuff is still out to be found in 2016. Its crazy actually
Cool shot with the actions though, they might look blurry a bit, but still cool!
A cat jumped out of the hopper at :16.
@BoCuTun
2 жыл бұрын
I saw that too
wow what a very nice old trash truck,great work.
@westcoastrefusetrucks
7 жыл бұрын
thanks
@jameswormsley460
7 жыл бұрын
West Coast Refuse Trucks :)
Wow awesome truck, was this by chance a demo truck from Heil.I really like that ALF cab looks nice
@westcoastrefusetrucks
7 жыл бұрын
It was a demo truck yes
@MrNic6999
7 жыл бұрын
West Coast Refuse Trucks Oh cool if they repaint it do you know if they're going to paint over "Heil" and the striping.
Awesome truck
Very unique great catch.
@westcoastrefusetrucks
7 жыл бұрын
thank you
Holy smokes! This truck is amazing! Gotta love an old American LaFrance paired up with a Heil Formula 7000! Just from listening to this truck, I'm pretty sure it has the Cummins Big Cam 400 engine and Allison HT740 transmission. What an amazing catch! How come there aren't many driving shots in the vid?
Did we all notice the cat on top of thebtruck at the beginning?
AWESOME!
Hats off to you and the City. That's an amazing story right there. Unbelievable sounding truck right there, that's definitely the loudest idle I've ever heard haha This thing sounds like a freaking rocket! Haha cool dinosaur in the back at 6:01, gotta love Granger's motto. So cool that their oldest is a 1966 and newest that 320! The old shool ALF cab like such is really nice. One of my favorite looking cabs. Sweet video Alan, it's always nice to see trips like this work out in the favor of the community! Great job!
@westcoastrefusetrucks
7 жыл бұрын
Thank you! The whole trip was amazing but this really brought it all together
Wow! I'm speechless- what an amazing truck and the people who operate it! The history is remarkable!
@westcoastrefusetrucks
7 жыл бұрын
Indeed it is!
Omg omg omg I finally get to see one of these older ALF's in motion! Since I was a kid, I have been staring at pictures of this cab I've managed to acquire. Before the internet I never knew what it was or who made it so I became obsessed. I'm always a sucker for the weird stuff wether it be the Ottawa Rouge, RTi, International Buzzard, or George's Fontaine that he hates so much. I've always wanted to see one of these in motion. Good thing you found it, since this is the first I've seen of one. I like the shape of it, and the size of the cab. You didn't by chance happen to get pictures or he inside of the cab did you?
@3amrepmike3
7 жыл бұрын
Worry not, between the 4 of us there will be plenty of interior photos. I should have mine up on Flickr fairly soon.
@shadofax96
7 жыл бұрын
Then I shall not worry! Thanks a bunch. lol
I've seen my share of WhiteGMC's and Peterbilt 310s, but some of those will have a damn hard time comparing to this. I just think it's so cool that the guys there were so respectful and opening to your interest of the classic refuse truck industry. This phenomenally sounding dinosaur made my morning! Did you get any footage of the 310 7000? On a sidenote, it's really a shame that only few of us can really appreciate the history behind one of these trucks. Awesome find man! One of you best uploads yet, and an excellent showcase of mechanical history. I'm glad Heil hasn't bought it back yet ;)
@westcoastrefusetrucks
7 жыл бұрын
Oh just for the chassis alone (super rare) makes it better than a WhiteGMC or 310 by far haha and yeah i did get to film the 310. Thanks for the comment!
Any news on the truck now
I'm glad they decided to keep it I figured there would be no chance it would run when I first found it a while back hopefully they fix it up soon!!
Did anyone else see the cat at 0:15
cool
@westcoastrefusetrucks
7 жыл бұрын
thanks