Rotary Refuse Collection Bodies from Around the World
Since its inception in the 1920's, the KUKA rotary refuse collector, often referred to as the "Shark", has been sold around the world under the KUKA/FAUN names, and in other cases wearing the badge of licensed builders. Additionally, there have been numerous imitations of the KUKA rotary drum concept. The list that follows is not all-inclusive, but gives a representative sample.
CALABRESE PESCACANE
Calabrese SpA, Bari, Italy has been a longtime seller of the KUKA rotary body, which in the past had been identified as "Pescacane", which is Italian for Shark. Shown is a 1967 model 215. The firm currently has in their catalog the modern version of the FAUN Rotopress.
GRANGE FRERES
In France, Grange Freres distributed the KUKA refuse line. This subsidiary was rolled into the FAUN Eurotec group in the early 1990's. Shown below is a 1971 Grange Freres 215 rotary on a Saviem cabover.
GABLER / THYSSEN TURBOPRESS
The German firm of Gablerwas founded in 1960 in Wesel as a service center for KUKA refuse products. Upon expiration of their contract with KUKA, they introduced their own rotary refuse body in 1980, the Turbopress. Gabler made some minor changes to the drum drive for their rotary, including the use of a direct-drive hydraulic motor to rotate the drum, as opposed to the chain or gear drives used on the KUKA. Otherwise, these are quite obviously very similar to the KUKA rotaries.
Following bankruptcy in the 1983, the firm was sold to KROLL GmbH, and production of refuse vehicles ceased that same year. Production of the Gabler design resumed briefly under a new company as the Thyssen Turbopress. The mascot was carried over, a little wheeled bird, who is saying "For a Friendly Environment".
Many thanks to Rudolf Peiffer who contributed information regarding Gabler
POLICAR and TALENTI ROTOMATIC
Like the Gabler Turbopress, these Italian designs came up with slightly different drum drives to avoid infringement problems. The Talenti Rotomatic was sold in the United States as the Orbie 202 for a brief time in the mid 1970s.
Talenti Rotomatic
TRESPOLSAC ROTOPAK
This Italian rotary is either a license-built KUKA 205 or a very close copy
EAGLE SPEEDYLOAD
Eagle Engineering Company Ltd., Warwick, was an early and major player in the British refuse body market having fielded many unique designs of compression rear loaders. The 1961 Speedyload shown here was Eagle's rotary model, and most likely was built under license from KUKA.
LAIRD ROTOPRESS
Laird Municipals, Anglesey, Wales, was a U.K. licensee for the KUKA/FAUN refuse bodies, including the Rotopress. Laird was absorbed by FAUN in 1996, becoming FAUN Municipal Vehicles Ltd. The Laird Rotopress shown below is equipped with a leaf vacuum.
M-U-T ROTOPRESS
In Switzerland, the FAUN Rotopress bodies are sold by Maschinen-Umwelttechnik-Transportanlagen GmbH, Stockerau. The firm also sells the FAUN rear loaders.
KAOUSSIS MILLPRESS
Athens-based Kaoussis has been building the Millpress since 1971.
JAPANESE ROTARIES
Japanese versions of the Rotopress exist, and as is their custom are generally quite smaller to navigate narrow urban streets. Early licensed versions of the KUKA appeared in 1961 from Fujicar Mfg. Co. Interestingly, the drum rotation on the Japanese versions is counter-clockwise, as opposed to the clockwise rotation of western versions.
Above; 1972 Fujicar rotary (KUKA model 210)
Here is a later model rotary refuse collector has been in production since 1976 by Manpuku, and is considered somewhat rare.
Many thanks to Makoto Funaki for the information and videos on Japanese Rotaries
VON KELLER
The Cities Equipment Corporation of New York began selling the Von Keller Refuse Collector in the early 1930s. The revolving drum bodies could be ordered in sizes from one to twelve cubic yards, and were pitched forward during loading operations to assist in compaction. Unloading was by tilting the drum carriage rearward as the drum revolved. Advertising for the Von Keller body suggested adding water to the body before loading leaves to reduce wind-blowing of the load during discharge.
AMERICAN LaFRANCE
The famous maker of fire apparatus added this American LaFrance refuse collector to the product line about 1933. The example shown here appears to share many features with the Von Keller. These early American versions are open-ended drums and lack the rear cone bulkhead used on the German KUKA refuse collectors. Thus, the thirteen degree forward pitch of the drum would be needed to avoid 'fallback' of refuse into the loading opening, which was about 60 inches above street level.
Like the KUKA, the American LaFrance body featured internal vanes to automatically trim the load as the drum revolved at idle speed, turning at about 6-12 R.P.M. Unloading was by hydraulic tilt of the drum carriage and reversing the rotation.
KEYSTONE
Little is known about the Keystone Equipment Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their rotary refuse collector, which appears to have been introduced in the early 1940's, is very similar to the American LaFrance model. It is possible that they bought the design rights for this body from ALF.
