Bigger cube from same dimensions
Page 15
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tAVEN TASKER has introiced a novel way in which to :rease the cube of its 12.2m )ft) aluminium frameless van mi-trailer without adding to overall dimensions.
The space beneath the floor s hitherto been wasted, says aven Tasker, and it now offers underslung container, ..;ated by inverted twistlocks, lich maximises on the availle space between landing legs d the bogie. Payload and cube ?, increased by up to 10 per nt.
The Taskpod prototype .asures 4.23m (14ft) long and )1m (3ft) deep and extends the I width of the vehicle but has ?. disadvantage of top loading. oduction models are planned incorporate end loading. Four istlock locations are included the top face and match a fixed t of twistlocks welded to the n's underframe.
Attachment of a loaded unit to 3 vehicle is facilitated, in only a v minutes, by a pair of detachde castored lightweight -Kling legs on one side, while a .klift truck lifts the other and ovides the motive power to sition it under the trailer iere guide rails ensure correct gnment.
The container is designed to ow insulation to the walls and or areas.
:raven Tasker believes the ;her weight capacity, flexibiland the flat floor give operanal advantages over the stepme trailer with smaller wheels and bogie limitations. The container can be used to accommodate separate cargoes or even as a form of demount for part loads.
Extra weight below floor height lowers the centre of gravity to provide hreater vehicle stability while incidentally acting as underrun guard to protect cyclists and pedestrians.
Craven Tasker has carried out extensive track tests covering some 12,000 miles of pave, equivalent to three times the distance of normal road running, in order to prove the strength of the system and the vehicle as a whole.
An all-steel construction was used for the prototype model which weighed 800kg (1,7641b), but already a light-alloy riveted model is on the drawing board.
The Taskpod adds an extra 2,500kg (5,511Ib) to the payload capacity, within the overall C and U limitations, and 8.25cum (291cuft) in volume.
Ground clearance, with a standard kingpin height of 1.32m (52in), is given as 254mm (10in); this is the minimum standard for a low-loader.
The price has not yet been determined, but is expected to be less than £1,500 which may be more than if you paid a bodybuilder to add an extra 12in to the overall height.