Aircraft loader

A load lifting apparatus for an aircraft loader, the aircraft loader comprising a chassis, a cab, and a loading box which has a loading floor, and the load lifting apparatus comprising:

• a frame which is configured to be secured to the chassis of the aircraft loader, the frame including a pair of vertical columns operatively spaced apart behind the cab of the aircraft loader, wherein each column has a front section and a rear section, and wherein each front section is provided with a front slider and each rear section is provided with a rear slider, the front and rear sliders being configured to be displaced vertically along the columns, wherein each of the front and rear sliders has a platform supporting portion and a sliding portion, the platform supporting portion being located above the sliding portion;
• a first platform which is configured to be mounted behind the cab, the first platform being horizontally secured or securable to the rear sliders and selectively displaceable through movement of the rear sliders between a loading floor height of the loading floor of the aircraft loader and an aircraft loading height, the first platform operatively being driven by a cable system coupled to the rear sliders, wherein a loading zone is defined inside the loading box, with the first platform being located in the loading zone when at the loading floor height;
• and
• a second platform which is configured to be mounted in front of the first platform, either on top of or at a side of the cab, the second platform being horizontally secured or securable to the front sliders and displaceable through movement of the front sliders between an intermediate height and the aircraft loading height, the intermediate height being a height between the loading floor height and the aircraft loading height, wherein one or both of the first and second platform has mating formations configured such that when the first platform is raised from the loading floor height and reaches the intermediate height, the first and second platforms engage to define a loading deck which is displaceable between the intermediate height and the aircraft loading height, the second platform operatively being driven by the first platform when the platforms are engaged, thereby resulting in the first and second platforms moving in unison between the intermediate height and the aircraft loading height, and such that when the first platform is lowered from the intermediate height the first platform disengages from the second platform to permit the first platform to move back to the loading floor height;
• and
• a front bridge section which is connected or connectable to the second platform, at least part of the front bridge section being displaceable relative to the second platform to accommodate an aircraft opening, in use.