TYPE 215G "GROBLAGERUNG" and "ROTOPRESS" In 1973, KUKA came out with a heavier version of the 215, dubbed the 215G. The "G" stands for "Groblagerung" (or "big bearing") which means that it has a bearing at the rear of the drum which goes all the way around, instead of the six rollers of the old type 215. The 215G was introduced because KUKA's customers used these trucks more often to collect bulky refuse and heavy materials. The old system of six rollers at the drum was too weak to last for long. In 1977 this garbage truck acquired its new trade name, RotoPress, by which it has become widely known CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE - USE BROWSER 'BACK' BUTTON TO RETURN TYPE 218 BULK LOADER Until 1975, KUKA was the market leader of garbage trucks in Germany. However, in 1972, Schorling began building the 2-R Packmaster under license from Leach for the German market. Consequently, KUKA lost a lot of customers to Schorling between the years 1972 and 1975. KUKA knew that they had to build a new type of Garbage truck in order to win back the customers they had lost. In 1975, they designed a Garbage truck especially for the collection of bulky refuse, thus the KUKA 218 was born. This garbage truck has the same method of compaction as used by the Heil Colectomatic MK-II/MK-III. CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE - USE BROWSER 'BACK' BUTTON TO RETURN 1/7/07 © 2007 Eric Voytko All rights reserved Photos from factory brochures/advertisements except as noted Logos shown are the trademarks of respective manufacturers