Abstract: An implement for manipulating and loading containers. A lifting carriage has a total width smaller than a door opening of a container to be loaded. A guide surface extends over the total width of the lifting carriage. Two fork arms are movable and supported by the guide surface. The fork arms have a narrow position for the manipulation of loads, in which a total width of the arms is smaller than the total width of the lifting carriage. Two bearings move the arms. Each bearing is provided between each arm and the guide surface. The fork arms also have a wide position for manipulating containers and for fork pockets of a container, in which the total width of the arms is greater than the total width of the lifting carriage. In another example, two transfer carriages are provided, which are coupled to the lifting carriage and are movable and supported by the guide surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for handling unitary loads, such as containers, concrete elements, plate-shaped objects and the like, include a prime mover, such as a power vehicle or the like, which is equipped with a mechanism for engaging and raising one end of the load from the surface to which it rests, and an auxiliary device equipped with wheels which is separate from the prime mover and which supports the load during the handling operation. The auxiliary device is self-propelled and is controlled by an operator who can be situated in a cab of the prime mover. In operation, one end of the unitary load is raised from the base surface on which it rests by means of the engagement members of the prime mover whereupon the auxiliary device is positioned beneath the load to engage the same. The auxiliary device is propelled towards the opposite end of the load so that the latter is raised from the base surface with the load being supported on its underside by the auxiliary device so that the load can then be moved.