Classic Refuse Trucks NEWS

CRT News Update, Spring 2008 (Page 2)
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HUNGRY 'GATOR
Among Last months many excellent UK photos from Tim Byrne were examples of the rare Swedish Norba KI-8 "Alligator" rear loaders, of which Tim informs only four were sold in England.

These were so named for the jaw like crusher mechanism which is truly unique among rear loaders, and has not been used since the short production run of the KI-8 ended, being replaced with more conventional slide-sweep models.

Fortunately, we now have some detailed sequential images of the packing mechanism courtesy of Dana Gregory. These were most likely taken in Sweden in the 1970's for promotion of the model in literature or trade publications. Norba is one the oldest manufacturers of refuse equipment, probably the most famous of which are the auger-screw style loaders which the firm first began selling in the 1930s. Norba also had a close copy of the Heil Colectomatic, which was sold as the KI-5 "Hippo".

Though not commercially successful, the KI-8 is no less fascinating for its innovation. This was an attempt to come up with something different from the slide-sweep design rear loaders which were coming to dominate the world at the time. Norba is currently still in the refuse body business, part of the Geesink-Norba Group, which is owned by Oshkosh Corporation.

Now, for the photos...

In the first image, we see some sacks and other refuse in the loading hopper. Towards the top of the opening, some previously crushed refuse is visible, caught between the jaws which are extended, and slid upward in the tailgate

Next, we see the jaws have fully retracted outward against the hopper side walls, and the mechanism has slid downward into the base of the hopper, with the charge of refuse now positioned in between the open jaws

Then, hydraulic rams extend, forcing the jaws inward as they begin crushing the charge of refuse between them

With the jaws fully closed and load crushed, the slide mechanism pulls the jaws and their 'prey' into the body even as some refuse protrudes from between the steel mandibles

Finally, the refuse is compacted into the body, and the refuse sticking up from between the jaws has been sheared off and has fallen back into the hopper in a cloud of dust

In this sequence, we see that the KI-8 could break apart more than just paper sacks; what looks like a clothes washer is in the grip of the Alligator's jaws

As with the loose refuse, appliances are pulled into the body through the aperature...

...and broken apart on contact with the lower edge of the opening

At the tip, the KI-8 open as most modern era packers with hydraulic tailgate rams

Flattened masses of refuse bear witness to the alligator's formidable crushing power. Note the v-shaped passage that leads from the tailgate into the body interior.

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