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Construction materials company Lafarge Aggregates has changed its fleet to meet the demands of the job.
Page 63
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Lafarge brought in 30 new articulated trucks at 44 tonnes, offering "economic and environmental benefits compared to the more common eight-wheel rig ids'.
National transport manager Reg Greatbatch confirmed cur discovery that seven articulated trucks can deliver the same volume of aggregate carried by 10 rigid vehicles.
"A 2,000-tonne order, for example, would take 30 loads less if artics are used. Operated for a year at atypical three loads per day, the 30 new artics could save more than 10,000 vehicle movements,' he says.
What this does, according to Greatbatch, is cut fuel costs, reduce pollution and traffic congestion and, with arks' improved manoeuvrability, makes it easier to deliver into tight spots.
The main concern for Lafarge in switching to artics was tipping safely on uneven ground, but this is overcome by ensuring the vehicles complied with IRTE category A specification for tipping on uneven surfaces.
Lafarge fitted the trucks with in-cab inclinometers to warn drivers of potential instability and reversing cameras connected to the incab CCTV. On the driveline the company added differential locks for better traction, improved road-friendly suspension, a centre-lift axle and shallower (4ft deep) bodies which are insulated to keep asphalt warm for longer.
The economic and environmental benefits of using articulated trucks are clear, but it has only become possible due to a recent change in legislation which permits use of vehicles of up to 44 tonnes gross weight. We have made a major Investment in bringing these vehicles into the fleet, but they will certainly improve the productivity of our distribution," he added.