By Fred Hendricks
Tom Pfeifer is a self-taught engineer who moved up the ranks at E-Z Pack of Galion, Ohio; manufacturer of refuse trucks. Tom had a natural aptitude in building things as a result of understanding how they worked. “I’ve always had a natural inclination in knowing how things work. With that awareness, I would draw mechanical equipment with great detail. After years of experience working on several projects at E-Z Pack, Vice President of Engineering, Bill Herpich, made me Engineer of the Front Loader Project. I was challenged with engineering a front loading refuse truck that would outperform competition,” Tom elaborated.
As an employee of E-Z Pack, Tom made all the drawings for a two piece loading arm called FLHC7535 and released it for production. For his efforts, Tom was promised an attractive wage promotion if the project was successfully completed and launched into production. “President Herpich assured me that I would receive $500.00 per month salary increase once E-Z Pack’s newly designed front loader, FLHC7535 came off the production line. He followed through faithfully with the financial reward. That was a tidy sum in those days and greatly appreciated,” Tom noted.
Tom had been confined to the Galion operation. He therefore needed to learn more about the competition’s strengths and weaknesses. Before Tom could engineer a superior refuse truck, he was joined by Tom Williams from the sales department. This team traveled extensively to study the array of refuse trucks on the market. “Early front loading refuse trucks had patented over-the-cab (OTC) two-piece arms that pivoted from the top front corners of the refuse box. E-Z Pack launched a single arm design that pivoted from the front base of the refuse box. This design improved the lift action. More importantly, it reduced the weight which allowed for a greater pay load, Tom said.
Tom’s redesign encompassed additional features, including; a refuse box with radius floors, sides and roof. In other words, the center of the floor was lowered slightly. And the sides were curved outward half way up from the floor. “These radius sides and floor reinforced the walls without utilizing braces. This design aided compaction with less stress on the refuse box. I also utilized two hinges at the top of the tail gate and secured it with double latches, an enhancement over competition. These improvements provided efficiency and durability,” he recalled.
The drafting and supervision of production for the first unit spanned six months. “The test
unit resulted in a few problems that were easily resolved. Once the bugs were worked out, the first load was completed at a power plant in Columbus, Ohio on December 2, 1985. When the field tests proved successful, production began in January 1986,” Tom shared.
The next challenge for E-Z Pack was convincing municipalities and large haulers to buy the radically improved refuse truck. The company arranged for Tom to drive the truck around the eastern states to demonstrate it. “There’s no telling how many miles I drove that first truck. We introduced and demonstrated the front loading truck at Waste Management Equipment Shows. Our first stop was a show in New Orleans. We then moved onto Chicago, Washington D.C., Orlando, Dallas and Houston. It was well received whenever we revealed its features. As a result, orders began flowing into headquarters,” he indicated.
Tom worked a total of 40 years at E-Z Pack. He had numerous engineering and rewarding assignments following the successful front loader. His efforts entailed eight patents for the parent company. Hercules front loading refuse trucks are still in production by E-Z Pack Refuse Hauling Solutions, Inc. now located in Cynthiana, Kentucky. “The design has held up well. In fact, the basic body and arms has not changed in the last 30 years,” Tom said.
Scale Model E-Z Pack Trucks
Tom has the original drawing of the Hercules E-Z Pack front loader and countless pictures of trucks with the loader installed. He wanted a replica of the real thing, however. And so, he set off to scratch-build a front loading refuse truck with high compaction in a scaled down version. “There are many small scale trucks commercially made with the E-Z Pack loaders, but I wanted to scratch-build my own. And, I wanted it built to 1:16 scale. From the drawing I had made for the original loader, I started by drafting a scaled down plan of the two-piece arm loader,” Tom stated.
Tom’s first scale model started with a Tonka truck. “I began by selecting a truck with dual axles. Then I stripped the truck down to its frame and stretched the chassis. I created the refuse box using wood. The over-the-cab (OTC) two-piece arm is constructed from pine. The pivot joints and hinges are brass. The anchor points for the arms are located at the top front of the refuse box. The hydraulic cylinders that raise the arms are affixed at the top, midsection of the refuse box. And finally, I painted the finished truck with colors that complement an early E-Z Pack truck,” he explained. This nicely detailed truck required 14 months to build.
Tom’s second 1:16 scale, scratch-built truck is a replica of the Hercules front loader truck he originally designed. “I utilized a different approach in building this truck. The cab is carved from wood that I sawed from a log. The chassis rails are made using wood. Before proceeding, I built a small brake to bend the metal parts. And the refuse box is constructed from 1/32 sheet brass. The lift arms are single piece and made from aluminum. Their pivot points are at the front base of the refuse box. Hydraulic cylinders that lift the arms are constructed from brass. They are anchored at the lower midsection of the refuse box,” Tom conveyed
“A sliding hopper door is installed on the top of the refuse box. This opening is where the refuse is dumped into the box. There are two internal hydraulic cylinders that power the packer blade. Two hydraulic cylinders are mounted in the rear. These cylinders release the latches and raise the tail gate to facilitate dumping. The original, full size Hercules truck had a load capacity up to ten tons of refuse. Today’s cost for this truck would be about $300,000.00,” Tom related.
Tom displayed this finished pair of detailed E-Z Pack replica trucks for the first time at Ohio’s Crawford County Fair in 2015. In the craft division, the Hercules front loader placed best in class. It then went on to capture Best of Show. “I was standing along the side as the judge reviewed the entries. Apparently she noted that I had been watching. She sought me out after the judging and asked if I had built the trucks. I acknowledged that I was the builder. The judge asked if she could shake my hand. She offered her hand with a complement, saying; awesome, well done!” he remarked with a smile.
When queried about his next project, Tom replied; “I’ve started a 1:8 scale duralift tilt frame refuse truck. I assisted with the development of this truck for the Refuse Parts Company of Iberia, Ohio. It is a little more challenging because the company is constantly making improvements. About the time I get a new feature in place, a change takes place. Let’s say it’s a work in progress.”
Pfeifer’s Background
Tom learned heavy equipment at a young age. When he was a youngster Tom’s favorite toy was a wind-up bulldozer made from tin. The bulldozer was a cherished Christmas gift. “I logged many summer hours with my brothers where we did construction play in the dirt. And then, the toys were hauled into the house for the winter,” he remarked.
Galion, Ohio has always been Tom’s home. At the youthful age of eight he drove a tractor for the first time. “I can remember that first experience like it was yesterday. But, the real thrill came at age nine when I drove a Ford Model 8N. I had different assignments in the field plowing and discing. It was a big deal then and I made sure my friends knew about my achievements driving tractor. About that same time, I worked for neighboring farmers. One assignment was tying wire bales. It paid $0.01 per bale, resulting in $3.00 to $4.00 per day; not bad pay for a young kid back then. I never had any experience working with trucks until I was employed by E-Z Pack here in Galion,” Tom recounted.
After high school and a little work experience under his belt, Tom and Janice married in 1963. They remained in the eastern Crawford County community of Galion where they raised their son, David. This area of Ohio was originally inhabited by Wyandot Indians. The first white settlers arrived in 1817. Asa Hosford who arrived in 1819 has been called “the father of Galion.” Asa along with his brother, Horace, established a settlement that included the first blacksmith ship. Additional settlers soon followed. Various names are reported to have been used to identify the settlement. Eventually, the Cincinnati postmaster assigned the name Galion. The name’s origin remains a mystery. No other town in the United States is named Galion.
In addition to scratch-building scale model trucks, Tom is a dedicated gardener. Tom is also an avid collector. Very unique to his cache are the two gas-powered pogo sticks. “Gardening is a great love of mine. I take great joy in eating the author of this story when we compete in the produce department at the county fair. My collection consists of antique equipment that I use to work my garden. This includes 50+ Planet Jr. push-cultivators. And, I have ten Planet Jr. gas-powered cultivators. Indian artifacts intrigue me so there are numerous pieces tucked away in safe keeping. I have a number of cast iron toys as well,” Tom commented.
Tom reflected on his experience in building things, including scale model trucks. “I’ve drafted and built a lot of mechanical things. I learned very early that things don’t always go as planned. If you have an inclination to draw or build, don’t give up when your initial plans don’t materialize. If you hit that stumbling block, ask around for help. Invariably, there is someone who can provide a useful idea. Or, you may need to set it aside and think it through. If you keep working at it, you’ll succeed,” he enlightened.
Tom Pfeifer has demonstrated a great aptitude for drawing; engineering and building refuse trucks, both full size and scale models. His design and engineering has stood the test of time in the commercial market. In addition, Tom’s scale replicas have been admired by many.
About the author: Fred Hendricks owns SunShower Acres, Ltd. of Bucyrus, Ohio, a dairy cattle consulting business. Mr. Hendricks is a freelance writer on subjects related to agriculture. He may be contacted at email: fwhendricks@gmail.com.