Stallion's Star Tip for the top
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by Bryan Jarvis • Stallion has redesigned its Star Tip range of underbody tipping gear, reducing its weight by over 20%, cutting prices by an equivalent amount, adding new versions for 7.5-tormers and incorporating extra safety features.
The new generation of eight models, which spans two, three and four-axied rigids, includes versions f(mtippers with loading cranes (long or short-wheelbase models).
Much of the weight reduction has been achieved by replacing the earlier box-section stabiliser with profile-cut high-tensile steel plate. "The result, says Stallion managing director and founder Roger Stowe, "is a smaller, lighter frame that is just as strong as the original Star Tip."
Hydraulic oil
The size and number of ram tubes has also been reduced, cutting the amount of hydraulic oil required (and hence the size of the reservoir). The ram is now pinned below the body, superseding the earlier ball-and-sock et fitting.
A Star Tip for a crane-mounted chassis shares the crane's oil tank. PTO and pump, making it slightly lighter. The new tip gear fits any make of truck chassis, simply by selecting the right spacers and brackets.
Overall weight savings are dramatic; Star Tips for eight-leggers with their thicker flanges and slightly longer frames weigh 478kg-225kg lighter than original Star Tips. The six-wheeler model weighs 425kg, a 53kg reduction.
Previously the big multi-stage ram and hefty box-section stabiliser functioned separately; the new ram imparts its lifting effort through the frame and has a slightly shorter stroke. Tipping speed is increased too, given the same size of pump.
With Health and Safety and CE marking laws in mind the new Star Tip offers several ben efits, including being mounted 25mm lower in the chassis, bringing the body floor down and lowering the CofG Each ram has an anti-burst valve fitted as standard so that in the event of a split hose the ram and body remain in position. Stallion uses tapered spool valves and a progressive in-cab controller enabling the driver to "feather" the body down gently. The spring bias ensures that when released the lever returns to the central position, halting body movement.
This means that the driver, once satisfied with ground conditions and having released the tailgate, must return to the cab to discharge his load.
Stallion now includes as standard a bank of six nipples on the side of the chassis that lets the driver grease the stabiliser's pivot points from ground level without having to raise the body.
New ranges The re-design has taken a year to complete: parts are not interchangeable between the old and new ranges. However, warranties are unchanged at three years under existing Customer Care arrangements with free replacement of defective parts within the first two years. Third-year cover follows that of the chassis but Stallion will first check the installation to ensure that it carries full approval.
As well as its Gravesend,
Kent site Stallion has more than 20 fitting agencies, mostly bodybuilders, and all parts can he supplied overnight from the factory.
• Stallion will have two eight-wheeler versions of its revised Star Tip's on show at this year's Tipcon show. One is a 17-tonne MAN 18.224 with North West Tippers bodywork; the other is a Rhymney Valleybodied Scanio eight-legger for South Wales haulier Pete Shillibier.