A refuse collection assembly for a refuse collection vehicle mounts to a intermediate container on the refuse collection vehicle. The refuse receptacle collection assembly can grasp a refuse receptacle at curbside, at street side, or forward of the intermediate container in any location over a one hundred eighty degree arc. The collection assembly grasps the receptacle and locates it above the intermediate container and tilts it sufficiently to empty the contents of the receptacle in the intermediate container. The collection assembly then returns the receptacle upright to its previous location or to any location to the right, left or forward of the refuse collection assembly. The refuse receptacle collection assembly includes a rail extending along a wall of the intermediate container, a carriage selectively movable along the rail, and a receptacle engaging assembly supported by the carriage for grasping the refuse receptacle.