Above: the largest of the K3 series was the 10-cubic meter 100S
Wolfgang Knierim specialized in refuse equipment at the small-end of the scale for urban collection and small-volume satellite operations. The Knierim K3 rear loader was produced circa 1980-1995 and used the Japanese Kyokuto Press-Packer system. This unusual packer mechanism is of the slide-sweep type, but has its sweep panel operated by large external cylinders acting against a linkage assembly and passing through curved slots in the hopper side walls. The slide panel is operated conventionally by two in-line cylinders within the tailgate. Available in 4, 6, 8 to 10 cubic meter sizes, it featured an advanced curved-shell body, foreshadowing a body construction method now applied to virtually all rear loaders. Bin lifts to 1,100 liter capacity were offered with the K3.
The K3 is easily identified by the large slots in the sidewalls for operating the sweep panel
Bin lift options and packing mechanism of the K3
K3 in action, captured on film by Jaap Mikkers
Type K3-40S (4-cubic Meter) with 100-liter bin lift
Type K3-80S with dustless bin lift attachment
Type K3-100S emptying an 1,100-liter container
Knierim curved-side body was advanced for its time
Small fleet of K3 rear loaders
KNIERIM K1 SIDE LOADER Knierim K1 side loader could load manually from one side, and mechanically from the other
Ejecting load from the rear of the K1 body
The big K1-60S (6.0 cubic meter body) could handle bin sizes to 1,100 liter capacity
K1-60S with hydraulic rear door discharges its load into a larger rear loader
K1-45S (4.5 cbm) collecting refuse from city waste bins
Special K1-22L (2.2 cbm) for mounting on a standard pickup truck, shown here on a Toyota
K1-52L (5.2 cbm) dual stream, and a standard K1-33L (3.3 cbm)
K1-35L (3.5 cbm) with glass compartment, and K1-25W (2.5 cbm) skip loader body
K1-52W (5.2 cbm) with hook-lift chassis
KNIERIM SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT
K1-33E: K1 side loader(3.3 cbm) mounted on all-electric vehicle chassis
K5 side loader for collecting food waste
K1-17.40S, a special compact rear-loading body for waste collection from cemeteries
Type P1 stationary compactor with 1,100 lire bin lift
