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Lifters & Handling Equipm. - how to select the right one::
High level versus Low Level - what's the difference
LOW LEVEL LIFTER
From the image it is clearly visible to see how the trucks compactor would clash with the bin. This means that the operator must wait until the truck has finished compacting before he can empty the bin. You will notice the low sill, which allows for bags and other hand loaded garbage to be easily thrown into the hopper.
Conclusion:
Low level lifters are most suited to mixed rounds i.e. where both hand loaded garbage (bags) and “wheelie bins” are collected. Advantages include; simple installation and maintenance, low purchase cost, less likely to be damaged due to very high ground clearance.
HIGH LEVEL LIFTER
In this image one can see that the trucks compactor clearly misses the bin and can run whilst the bins are being emptied. Also note the larger sill area.
Conclusion:
High level lifters are most suited to rounds where only “wheelie bins” are collected. Advantages include; high collection rate, bins may be emptied whilst compactor is running resulting in minimal chance of damage to bins. Hopper size increased resulting in faster cycle times and less wear and tear on the compactor.
There are a couple of ways to look at these definitions, but first we must figure out what this word "level" means:
1. It could mean the height that the bin is held above the ground while it is discharging. The higher up that the bin is held, the less chance there is of the bin lid fouling the compactor blade. Also, if the hopper is already starting to fill up, then we need more space between the bin and the pile of refuse so that the bin can discharge completely.
2. The "level" might also refer to the rave rail (hopper edge) height. A "high" rave rail increases the hopper capacity.
3. And then the "level" might only just refer to the level of productivity. RCV's collecting more than 1200 bins per shift may be termed "high-level"?
These three factors are interlinked because you can only get a high productivity (many bins per day) if you have a high rave rail (large hopper) and a high lifting height (to get over the high rave and prevent fouling the compactor blade). Rave height over 1600mm.
But, a high level lifter is not desirable if the RCV must also collect bags and bulky hand-loaded waste like old sofa's etc. Then you need a lower rave to make it possible for the personnel to get the hand-loaded waste in.
A solution has been a folding rave system (or "drop down chute") and these lifters are sometimes called "low-level" lifters, even though they are mixture of high and low. The folding raves require more safety interlocks. The rave height is about 1200mm (low position) - 1450mm (high position) But, the downside is that the folding rave forces the operators to stand further back and so they have to throw the waste further instead of higher.
Then there are genuine "low-level" lifters that are used mainly for bag and skip loading. The raves are fixed at about 1100mm. These still have a short throw-in distance. But the rate of productivity is low because the hopper volume has not been increased and therefore the compactor must be cycled often.
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