Piggyback fork-lift truck for lorry loading
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A PEDESTRIAN controlled fork lift truck which rides piggyback-style on the back of a lorry when not in use was demonstrated in England last week. Known as the Kooi-Aap, the machine is manufactured in Holland but sold in the UK by Weylode Engineering of Little Sodbury, Bristol.
The Kooi-Aap is said to have a number of advantages over lorry-mounted cranes. It rides on the truck, but does not take up load spate, it can be demounted and remounted in a minute by one man and can be left at the depot if required.
The only modifications to the vehicle are the provision of two channels at platform height to take the machine's loading forks and a bracket mounted under the chassis rails to support the weight of the machine in the travelling position.
The machine is said to be capable of loading or unloading any truck from either side or over the tailboard. In standard form it can lift up to 1500kg (1.5 ton) to a height of 2.8m (9ft). It costs £4000 and weighs approximately 860kg (17cwt). A petrol engine is used, though diesel and electric power sources are offered.