A refuse compactor especially designed for use in fast-food restaurant environments
includes a hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor for actuating a hydraulic
ram to compress restaurant waste materials. The compactor includes a unique compaction
plate assembly that maintains the platen inclined at a predetermined angle to the
vertical when the platen is elevated and which forces the platen to a horizontal
disposition during a downward compaction stroke. A motor operated closure member
selectively blocks and unblocks a refuse-receiving opening formed in a front door
of the compactor unit and with a motion detector controlling the opening and closing
of the refuse entry door panel.
