Norba Ki-11, Ferret and Swinger The Norba Ki-11 rear loader     Norba had clearly reached a crossroads in the late 1970s. Though possessing a mostly successful product line, changes in in the industry were happening, and more were on the horizon. The screw system, on which the company had built great fortune, was over forty years old, and continuous loaders were falling from favor due to rising fuel prices. Maintenance costs were higher for packer and chassis alike, and there were serious safety concerns with revolving type packers. The Ki-5 was still viable for residential use, but was also an aging design, with a hinged hopper that would never be capable of serious bulk REL duty. The massive Ki-8 had failed to conquer the 2R or the Mark V, or any of the host of other European slide-sweep designs arriving on the market.     It was against this backdrop that Norba unveiled the Ki-11 in 1979, a durable slide-sweep rear loader platform that would eventually replace the entire line, and meet every customers need. It was the Norba for the '80s, and would in fact carry the company successfully into the 21st century. Norba UK, now located at Hitchin, announced their version in 1980, dubbed the Rhino. Norba offered no less that seven body sizes, from 12 to 21 meters, with dual electric/manual packer controls.     The ejector plate was redesigned, with a less intrusive vertically-stacked ram and a back-pressure valve for high compaction. Hydraulic-locking tailgate was standard, with high-strength steel used in critical areas. Packer slide blocks were easily replaceable. A "contractor" version (Ki-11S) was made for 3-axle chassis with extra reinforcement. The Ki-11 could be equipped to lift bins as small as 300L, on up to the massive 8-meter commercial barges.    The Constrictor and Ki-5 Hippo remained for a while, but the Ki-11 would set the pattern for all future Norba rear loaders. These would be sold and proven throughout Europe, the UK and Middle East. They were sold in Russia, and surprisingly, Norba would return to the United States, albeit indirectly, by way of the Wayne Hypax, an American-built rear loader based on the Norba Ki-11. Wayne was already using the Norba screw system in their Gruncher rear loaders and ASLs. In return, Wayne lent Norba their Royal GT series mini rear loader, which was sold in Europe as the Ferret. Inside the new Norba Ki-11 Packer slide and sweep rams are located within the same plane Domestic and commercial waste could be handled; this early Ki-5 hooks to an 1,100 litre bin The Norba for the 1980s New ejector was less obtrusive with a vertical ram Packer detail Ejecting the load The UK version arrived in 1980, and was dubbed the "Rhino" Ki-11 in Germany on Mercedes-Benz chassis European influence: The American-made Wayne Hypax had a tailgate based on the Norba Ki-11 Wayne-designed Royal GT rear loader was sold in the UK as the Norba Ferret Norba Swinger on Volkswagen chassis. This was an open dump body with a swinging tipper at the rear for small containers. In the UK, this model was badged as the Norba Feeder. SELECTED PATENTS Patent # Description Inventor Assignee Date NO143309B (Norba Swinger) Persson January 27, 1977 10/13/19 © 2019 All Rights Reserved Logos shown are the trademarks of respective manufacturers Photos from factory brochures/trade advertisements except as noted