Tail-lift brings home the bacon
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A DOUBLE tier version of the Ratcliff electro-hydraulic tail-lift, has been fitted to a Volvo F86 being supplied to Northern Pig Development Co.
The "Pig liftas it is known, can raise the animals in safety to either the upper or lower deck of the vehicle, thus speeding up loading and unloading operations.
A 2.1 m (71t) long platform with fold-down wire mesh guard rails is fitted — the floor of which is made of timber with raised anti-slip treads. Detachable rear gates complete the enclosure when the lift is operational.
With a capacity of 1 ton, the lift features automatic cam closing while the platform can travel uninterrupted from ground level
to the upper deck. A remo control panel with a wander lei. enables the operator to stand c the lift during loading unloading but duplicate contra are provided on the body alloy ing him to stand clear.
The tail lift is fitted to demountable aluminium all( body, built by Houghton Parkhoute Coachwork, which split into three 2.4m (8ft) con partments on each deck. Up 70 animals can be carried in tt• vehicle, but its owner keeps th number down to 50 or 60 as th pigs are high value breedin stock.
Total gtw of the Volvo is 32. tonnes (32 tons) when use with a drawbar trailer, and ttcompany hopes to buy or when European deliveries al made.