Brewery floats on air
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by Bryan Jarvis • Morland Brewery has joined a select group of operators using fully air-suspended Scania chassis—it is replacing two Bedford drays with a P93MV 4x2RB-280 drawbar rig.
Combined with a centre-axled Crane Fruehauf trailer, also running on air, the Scania will be used for long-distance deliveries at 35 tonnes GTW; it joins a mainly Volvo fleet.
The unit runs on Bridgestone low-profile 315/275 70R 22.5s with twin 265 70R 19.5s on the trailer. Special bodywork from Transport Enterprises of Leicester gives a deck entry of just 1.05m (41in) with a 1.83m (72in) side aperture.
Its low overall height of a lm (10ft 2in) gives a "softer" image and will reduce damage from trees. It will be especially handy when reversing into the rear of premises to unload.
"By exhausting air pressure in the suspension the load bed can be lowered by nearly 250mm (10in) to make manual handling so much easier," says distribution manager Trevor Sawtell. "The ride is kinder on the product too".
Sliding side curtains are without buckles; rear access is via Henderson wide-slat shutters. To limit impact damage Sawtell specifies 125mm Kerowin flooring with an offset double layered Wisadek covering. After a period of service it can be turned over to hide scuff marks.
When truck-only deliveries are required the trailer uncouples via the automatic VBG hook and the rear underrun with Hope Safe-TBar hinges down.
Other rigids will be fitted with similar VBG automatic couplings, enabling them to run with the trailer when required to give extra operational flexibility