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MARKET REVIEW: DRAWBARS
Page 152
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national retail outlets network. London Carriers, part of the Philips electronics group, operates a number of swap body combinations from its Sywell, Northants depot, all fitted with VBG's RMS arrangement.
West German Trailer coupling specialist Rockinger had its latest remotely operated drawbar hitches on show recently at Frankfurt.
Its 716-G7/715-G7 couplings are aimed at the heavier centre-axled trailers, especially those transmitting high vertical loads, as well as being suitable for the standard 50mm eyes.
Together with a new range of eyes and flanges. they are designed to accept up to 3,000kg on 18-tonne double-axled trailers. They can also be used with tricentre-axled trailers of up to 24 tonnes, with up to 1,000kg on the towing eye.
TORSIONAL FORCES
Rockinger's new coupling absorbs torsional forces in the truck frame by rotating within its housing to follow the pivotting of the A-frame.
The 716-G7 remote control version is intended for combinations requiring a coupling to be mounted in a very low concealed position. It features a switching unit and warning indicators in the cab to ensure that the eye is coupled up correctly.
Rockinger also had a new fifth wheel at Frankfurt with automatic electropneumatic release. It is linked into the brake circuit and the control unit and push buttons are in the cab, with the system's warning lights.
Jost, which claims to be Europe's largest manufacturer of fifth-wheel couplings and landing legs, recently added an automatic 50mm towing hitch for turntable axles to its small range of drawbar equipment. The JAK50 is made to DIN74053 with large rubber cushions to minimise the shock transmitted to the towing vechicle.
As with all Jost towing hitches, it has a readily replaceable locking mechanism.
The company has also introduced a range of 50mm towing eyes that give the option of bolting or welding to the towing frame.
Whichever coupling arrangement is selected by the operator, if long term savings are to be made it is vital to choose the right drawbar geometry.
VBG UK general manager Tom Dee stresses that overlooking this critical part of the specification will lead to an erosion of any operational gains through higher servicing costs and poor driver acceptance.
A well-designed drawbar, says Dee, can bring extra flexibility to a high street distribution operation and, despite the 32.52 tonne ceiling, will give payload increases of 130%-plus, making the drawbar option a cost-effective means of transport.