T his category pitted two tipper trailers against a spirit tanker:
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hardly a straight match, but they were all bulkers and were all judged on their relative merits. Both tippers were pristine examples of high-grade aluminium bulkers—both looked very workmanlike.
Don-Bur's Paylowda caught the eye with its low rear tipping hinge; a factor that will enhance stability and when discharging when rear light damage can occur. The Paylowda's extra protection prevents this. Don-Bur also fits body marker lights.
It drew high marks from the maintenance angle with features such as lube points on the bushed tailgate hinge bar. There were more star points for innovative design and for its apparent structural strength, although two judges would have preferred radiussed inner edges where the sides and floor meet.
A number remarked on the lack of noise reducing pads on the chassis, and on the absence of mudguards or adequate spray suppression over the wheels. Nevertheless, DonBur's Paylowda has been around for years and it is looking better than ever.
Weightlifter's well-designed Taper Tipper is another excellent example of high earning 38-tonners. Its payload potential drew high marks. The judges also liked its clean, tidy interior and the well-protected rear door seal. They remarked on its noise reducing body pads which also damp out damaging vibrations. Its rear lights could do with some protection and the tipping ram mounting bolts looked a little vulnerable at the front of the body.
Despite high overall marks the Weightlifter tipper was still some way behind our choice in the bulker section.
ST FEAT
• High payload; • Excellent build quality. Thompson Carmichael's 5000-Series is a superb 41,000-litre six-compartment bottom loading tanker designed for working at up to 44tonnes gross. Its main target is the major bulk fuel distributors such as oil companies and supermarkets. First UK user was Tankfreight, which carries a 37,000-litre/27tonne payload at 38 tonnes gross, using a 6.0-tonne Leyland Daf 75-300 4x2 sleeper tractor. To date there are around 20 in use with large fuel distributors.
Thompson used computers to identify and eliminate critical areas of high stress; the net result being a sturdier, more durable and lighter design than before. Its main features are dished dividers located in a new extrusion that provides a direct path through which external loads can be absorbed. This cuts the number of components by 60% saving weight in the process.
Beneath them are C-section extrusions containing the air suspension front pivots, located in a 30nun plate that spreads the loads through the barrel dividers. Some 300kg is saved, minus another 100kg courtesy of an integral fifth-wheel pick-up plate.This also reduces the height by a useful 250mm.
Our specialist judges felt there could have been more protection around the fill points and that general maintenance would be somewhat restrictive but they admired the design's lightness, its excellent build quality and high-spec finish.
Thompson's 5000-Series is a fine achievement that has taken over two years from drawing board to entering service this summer and a worthy winner of the Sulker category.
AR URES