For Divisible and Indivisible Loads
Page 66
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nASED at the Rogerstone works. of Alcan .Industries Ltd, of Banbury, four standard York Trombone extensible trailers are mainly employed. 'for the carriage of indivisible loads of aluminium plate and light-alloy extruded sections. The vehicles comprise two single-axle I2-ton trailers and two 15-ton twin-axle types, and each has a length of 26 ft. in the closed position and can be extended to 35 ft' and 39 ft. A removable aluminium bolster is fitted to the vehicle platform for transporting wide plate at an angle of about 45 degrees to obviate side overhang, and in.the case of extruded sections, detachable 'aolsters of a different type are used in conjunction with a special load-carrying headboard. The sections extend over the cab, and lengths up to 65 ft can be carried.
Because regulations limit the overall length of an articulated outfit to 35 ft. if it is carrying divisible loads, the extensible trailers provide a means of legally employing the same vehicle for both types of load and thus offer considerable operational economies. Moreover, the trailers are currently employed for regular deliveries of plate and sections to the Belfast shipyard of Harland and Wolff Ltd., for the construction of liquid methane tankers, and retracting the trailers to the minimum length for the return trip on the Preston-Larne ferry affords a valuable saving on overall charges for the sea crossing. The trailers are normally hauled by Leyland or Foden tractive units.