SELF-PROPELLED VEHICLE FOR HANDLING GLASS-SHEET SUPPORTING RACKS

A self-propelled vehicle (1) for handling glass-sheet supporting racks (100) of the type comprising: a front rack-supporting chassis (2) provided with a substantially U-shaped rigid oblong frame (10) having two longitudinal beams (11) that extend horizontally and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (L), on opposite sides of the vehicle midplane (M), and that delimit a large central slit or compartment (12) open at the front and dimensioned to accommodate a glass-sheet supporting rack (100); a rear tractor unit (3) which is firmly connected to the front rack-supporting chassis (2) via mechanical means (6) allowing the rack-supporting chassis (2) to move vertically with respect to the tractor unit (3); a lifting apparatus (7) Adapted to vary, on command, the height from the ground of the rigid oblong frame (10) of the rack-supporting chassis (2); and an electronic vehicle-load detecting apparatus which is adapted to detect the geometric and/or structural features of the glass-sheet supporting rack (100) during insertion into the central slit or compartment (12) of the rack-supporting chassis (2).