IMPROVED TYPE 215, TYPE 215G and ROTOPRESS     The 215 series of the 1960s was again modernized in 1970, incorporating changes to the rear door locks in the tailgate of the body. The newer 215s have a rear door-locking device which hangs under the tailgate as a black block at the left and the right. Now it was possible to make the rear door opening bigger, enabling it to load bigger parts of bulky refuse.     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. Cutaway view of the improved Type 215: (1) Rear gate opened by air cylinders. (2) Incoming refuse is torn and crushed against spiral guide plate. (3) Teeth feed refuse into rotating drum. (4) Automatic locking mechanism hold the rear gate locked shut under pressure. (5) Rotatibg drum with spiral guides carry refuse forward for compacting and reverse for discharging. (6) Rear drum support welded to sub-frame. (7) Storage drum support ring rests on two roller bearings. (8) Front bearing support with self-aligning roller bearing. (9) Reduction and pinion gear which drives drum. (10) Sub frame strengthens chassis frame. (11) Safety clutch prevents overloading by automatically disengaging drum when completely loaded. (12) Retaining flaps-prevent refuse from falling back into hopper. Bulk items, such as this cooker are no match for the KUKA 215 The belly of the beast: upper left photo shows view from outside as a box is pulled into body by rotating vanes, and crushed against the fixed anvil. Other photos are from inside the drum, looking back toward the tailgate. These show how the refuse enters the drum and is drawn forward. Note how the tailgate baffle is formed to prevent "fallback" of refuse into the hopper. 1974 KUKA 215G "Big Bearing" body of about 25cbm capacity Bin attachment swings open to allow hand loading of refuse The KUKA 215 body was also available as a stationary garbage compaction unit Beginning in 1977, the 215G was branded as the Rotopress 22 cbm KUKA Rotopress 1/7/07 © 2007 All Rights Reserved Photos from factory brochures/advertisements except as noted Logos shown are the trademarks of respective manufacturers