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PANELTEX POD
Page 48
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0 ur newest category— Designer of the Year—is intended to reward the originator of what the judges believe is the most innovative design entered.
Christian Salvesen's unusual drawbar trailer is the product of extensive testing, with criteria ranging from driver-friendliness and manoeuvrability, to stability at all speeds and in any load situation.
For operational efficiency, fleet services and procurement director Steve Mercer chose a triple swapbox outfit with Oaf CF prime mover and 10m straight-frame trailer.
Working closely with Don-Bur, he also went for a long-lift air suspension for body swapping and a Grau trailer management package to lock out the first/third axles' self-steer above 40km/h.
Don-Bur Palletmaster curtainsders have a long pedigree but the Evolution's three, equallength lifting decks within a 3.05m inner height impressed the judges.
Rated at 4.0 tomes, each floor adjusts by fork-lift and secures with special pneumatic locking latches. To reposition them, a simple reset mechanism avoids having to move a floor to the roof or to ground level first.
On the road, its stylish front bulkhead, wrap-around side skirts and flush rear doors make the Evolution a real eyecatcher.
On the Kappa contract, DonBur's stylish Palletmaster Evolution curtainsiders use three, equallength, lifting decks that can be positioned at 300mm intervals using a fork-lift to help accommodate a mixture of various sizes of paper reels.
For wider loading access, there is a series of support pillars that can be swung out and then locked in place with air-operated catches.
With the decks grounded, it reverts to a single-decker but they can also be removed altogether in minutes. Fully bolted and galvanised, the structure needs minimal maintenance.
Several years of research went into Paneltex's Pod system, which Ocado uses on its internet-based Waitrose grocery delivery business.
The pod containers have been carefully developed with vehicle weight limits in mind, and the conventional demount system may be converted later to an automated process.
Self-powered semi-trailers carry six insulated swap containers to a distribution spoke and Mercedes-Benz Sprinters make the home deliveries.
Panettex finished off both pod trailer and delivery trucks with some quite stylish fairings, especially the latter whose surrounding panels include moulded side steps for better access up top.
SOMI Trailers makes use of the largely ignored below-deck area, ahead of the axles.
Some manufacturers put shoehorn cabinets for pallets, tools or spare wheels into the space but SOMI's designs will increase body capacity by as much as 25%, which over a long period in load-carrying terms is a significant gain.
Dry freight or insulated, the sunken well area can include stage loading or an elevating floor section. Either way it means an extra six UK or eight Euro pallets can be carried, or even 16 additional roll cages.
Though still relatively unproven, the SOMI trailer nevertheless impressed the judges.