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Add plastic to the mix
Page 17
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UK MIXER OPERATORS could soon be using plastic drums on their vehicles. McNeilus, the concrete placement division of American specialist truck manufacturer Oshkosh, is about to commence full-scale production of its Revolution composite drum for the US market, with Europe to be targeted within 18 months.
The initial product will be an 8m' drum, with larger and smaller versions to follow. The biggest claimed advantage is the 0.38m' of extra payload permitted by the weight saving of nearly a tonne on the 8m3 model.
Although more expensive than steel. Oshkosh predicts a payback time of between eight and 16 months, based on US figures of almost $10/kg (£6/kg) of extra payload.
Production of the egg-shaped drum involves GRP being wound around a polyurethane liner. Oshkosh guarantees a working life at least the equal of a steel drum — the composite drum has been already tested through more than 200,000 revolutions, compared with the 100-150.000 revolution life of a typical steel drum.
Besides the light weight, other benefits are said to include easy cleaning with negligible residue build-up, quieter operation and better thermal properties, reducing additional processes at extreme temperatures.