- "Vaporators! Sir, my first job was programming binary loadlifters—very similar to your vaporators in most respects."
- ―C-3PO
Binary loadlifters were low-level labor droids that functioned in a cargo-loading capacity. Binary loadlifters were one of the best examples of the pre-Republic droid inventions in the galaxy's murky history. Most loadlifters had two strong hydraulic limbs which could slide underneath crates and other cargo, although some had strong grasper-like claws for smaller cargo. Each droid sported yellow markings as a caution system. All loadlifters had a single photoreceptor that doubled as a cargo code reader. Behind the photoreceptor was a binary broadcast antenna, and below that was a repulsorlift counterweight, which helped the droid with particularly heavy loads. Two wide magna-pod feet and hydraulic durasteel limbs gave the droid remarkable stability when lifting or moving cargo.
Loadlifters only knew binary, but could understand simple commands. A complicated order was best left to a protocol droid.[source?] The CLL-8 model was equipped with standard analytic drives, enabling them to process individual orders such as keeping certain tasks confidential or singling out special packages that should not undergo security screening. Access to this function might be limited to high-ranking security codes like the Intergalactic Banking Clan yellow card.[2]
Binary loadlifters were very dull witted. A well-known example of this was an incident on the planet Stassia in which a loadlifter stacked crate after crate on top of one another, the floorboards straining beneath the weight and finally collapsing.[3] The loadlifter looked down the very deep hole, and returned for another crate. With no guidance for such a situation, it continued its work and dropped every crate down the hole.
Infamously, the Trade Federation, when making preparations for the eventual Invasion of Naboo, covered up the suspicious-looking components to the various vehicles by claiming that they were simply the latest, most expensive model of binary loadlifters when undergoing checks by the Republic Customs Office.
C-3PO believed he had initially been employed in the preparation of binary loadlifters, after his memory was erased aboard the Sundered Heart.[4]
The CLL-6 binary load lifter droid and the CLL-M2 ordnance lifter were also binary loadlifters.
Appearances[]
Sources[]
- A Guide to the Star Wars Universe (as binary load lifter)
- Death Star Technical Companion (as Cargo Load Lifter)
- Galaxy Guide 7: Mos Eisley (as binary load lifter)
- Death Star Technical Companion, Second Edition (as Cargo Load Lifter)
- "Smuggler's Log" — Star Wars Adventure Journal 3 (as binary loadlifter" and "binary cargo load lifter)
- "Smuggler's Log" — Star Wars Adventure Journal 4
- Platt's Starport Guide
- "Cracken's Rebel Operatives" — Star Wars Adventure Journal 7
- Shadows of the Empire Planets Guide
- Cynabar's Fantastic Technology: Droids (as binary load lifter)
- Platt's Smugglers Guide
- The Far Orbit Project
- The Essential Guide to Droids
- "Arms & Equipment Guide Extras!" (original article link) on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link) (as binary load lifter)
- Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: The Visual Dictionary
- The New Essential Guide to Droids
- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia
- "Message to Spacers 5" (original article link) on Wizards.com (content now obsolete; backup link)