Norba Automated Side Loaders
Norba-AMREP Front Loaders
NORBA SL-2
During the late 80s or early 90s, the first automated side loader was introduced in Norba's line-up. The exact launch date is unknown, but the first patents for the lift arm were released as early as 1984. A more detailed patent was filed 1987, although it is unclear if this design was altered further before the commercial launch.
The body design was essentially similar to that of the Ki-11 rear loader. A square cross-section, with U-shaped vertical braces on the sides, and similar braces on the roof and below the body floor. The packer was of the "reciprocating box" type, and although further details are unknown, it is highly likely that it was equipped with follower panels. This made emptying of bins possible regardless of the packer plate position. The semi-curved tailgate was operated by vertical lift cylinders, and the locking mechanism was identical to that of the Ki-11. There are no visible body hoist cylinder(s), therefore it can't be ruled out that the body had full eject.
An early version of the SL-2, with the old hydraulically-leveled type lift arm assembly
What really stood out on the Norba SL-2 was the lift arm design. Unlike American designs, it didn't grab the bin from the sides with the standard "pincer type" grabber. Instead it had a U-shaped clamping bar, powered by two hydraulic cylinders, that swung down over the bin from the outside. The horizontal section of the clamping bar was equipped with a rubber covered, slightly flexible plate that clamped the bin against the main plate of the lift arm. The main plate was equipped with rubber sheets as well, to ensure maximum friction against the bin. The clamp bar was positioned vertically when the vehicle was in motion, tightly following the outer contour of the body.
This design enabled the SL-2 to handle a wide range of bins, from approximately 80 litres, all the way up to 600 litres. It is even possible that it could handle bins up to 1m3, but this has not been verified. It was also able to grab two or more bins at once, if they were small and of similar size, and were standing right next to each other. Once the bin(s) were grabbed, the arm swung upwards, emptying them into the compactor. The lift arm was mounted on horizontally sliding beams, which allowed it to reach bins standing at least 1,5m from the truck.
The lift arm underwent a slight design change somewhere during its production span. In the beginning, the arm was operated by two hydraulic cylinders; one powered the upper arm, and the other tilted the main plate/clamping bar assembly. Later versions eliminated the second cylinder, and instead utilized two separate links to level the main plate/clamping bar during the lift cycle. The SL-2 was offered in at least two sizes, requiring a two or three-axle chassis.
A smaller SL-2 on a standard two-axle Scania chassis. Note the new design on the arm, with dual links for leveling
LEFT: A larger SL-2 on a three-axle Volvo FL-7 chassis RIGHT; Semi-curved tailgate aided in compaction
NORBA SL-4
During the latter half of the 1990s, the SL-2 was replaced with the more modern-looking curved-side SL-4. The outer stiffener beams were removed, and the body sides were almost entirely smooth. The tailgate lift cylinders were placed horizontally on the sides of the roof.
The compactor concept was similar to its predecessor, except for being narrower and taller. It retained the follower panels, and was powered by cross-mounted hydraulic cylinders. The body was in all probability emptied by tilting it backwards, utilizing either single or dual hoisting cylinders.
The clamping bar and main plate of the lift arm also passed over from the SL-2, but the rest of the lift arm was totally redesigned. It is possible that it was inspired by the lift arms from AMREP in the USA, as Norba had a cooperation with them at the time, selling their octagonal-body front loaders in Scandinavia. The similarities are striking, featuring a trackway with a curved top, that is moved laterally by the help of sliding beams below the bottom of the hopper. Unlike the AMREP arm, the upper portion of the trackway was connected with separate roller tracks to the hopper side wall. The clamping unit was also powered by different means, where a long hydraulic cylinder acted on a chain drive to lift it. The design change from the SL-2 lift system might have been done in order to increase the lifting capacity of the system. It is unknown how many units of the SL-4 were sold, and if it was a one-size concept, or with different size options as with the SL-2.
The heavier duty lift arm of the SL-4 in action, mounted on a Scania 94D chassis
Another action shot, showing the potential reach of the arm, here riding atop a Volvo FL6
NORBA SL-5
With the introduction of the all-new Norba RL50/RL200/RL300/MF300 rear loaders, the ASL of the family also underwent a major revision. The result was the SL-5, which basically took the compactor unit from the SL-4 and paired it with the newly-developed body from the larger rear loaders. The hopper loading edge was also moved upward, giving it a larger hopper capacity than its predecessors. The curved tailgate was entirely new, and once again opened by vertical lifting cylinders. The tailgate locking system was carried over from the new RL-series rear loaders, and eliminated the need for the initial vertical unlocking movement of the tailgate.
SL-5 featured a curved tailgate with vertical lift cylinder and automatic locks
To unload, the body was hoisted by a single telescopic cylinder, placed at the front of the body and just behind the cab. Several different sizes were offered, requiring either a two or three-axle chassis. The lift arm was totally redesigned, apart from still traveling laterally by means of sliding beams. The clamp bar was replaced by a traditional comb-lifter with the standard locking plate that fixed the bin during the emptying cycle. The arm was operated by a single hydraulic cylinder, powering it by means of arc-increasing links, like on most other European automated side loaders. The change to this type of arm might have been a result from the desire to reduce the weight, while still providing the opportunity of handling a wide range of bin sizes. The old clamp bar was also problematic due to the fact that it was really wide, decreasing its maneuverability in tight spaces.
The SL-5 was only sold for a brief time after its launch, and was soon discontinued. The reasons for this are unknown, but Norba was experiencing heavy competition from the fast-expanding competitor NTM. They had basically taken over the entire ASL market in Scandinavia with their NTM OM side loader. When it came to capacity, the linear compactor unit in the Norba SL-5 was superior, compared to the pendulum packer unit in the NTM OM. But it had the drawback of all similar designs; the build-up of refuse behind the packer plate, that needed to be cleaned regularly. Even though access lids to a lower collection trough behind the packer were provided, it could never compete with the cleanliness and accessibility of the pendulum packer concept. This might very well have been the main reason for the seized production of this elegantly designed ASL body.
SL-5 overall construction
Video showing the SL-5 represents its short lifecycle; it appears, and then almost instantly, it is gone
NORBA FRONT LOADERS
Although they never manufactured their own front loader, Norba briefly sold the American-designed AMREP octagonal-bodied model for a time. These were probably sold during the 1980s and 1990s. Some examples are shown below.
