Lightweight bodies
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BY FITTING lightweight glass reinforced plastic bodies Ross Poultry has increased the payloads of its rigid vehicle collection and delivery fleet by up to 12 per cent. The lightweight grp sandwich construction units, built by Econolite of East Dereham, have been fitted to six Ford Cargo 1313 and two 14:14 Freighter chassis used for live chick and egg delivery.
The bodies vary in length from 5.48-7.31m(18-24ft), and according to Econolite are up to a third of a tonne lighter than conventional alloy units. The reduction in weight has also allowed Ross to specify bodies one metre (3,28ft) longer than normal, providing additional room for an extra row of egg!chick palletainers to be carried. Average unladen weight for an Econolite bodied 1313 Cargo is around 6.07 tonnes.
Temperature and ventilation Control for the chick delivery was a critical factor in the body construction. By using fully insulated sandwich panels, Econolite was able to increase the internal width of the chick carrier bodies by 100mm(3.9in), resulting in improved airflow throughout the body and more room for manoeuvring the palletainers.
The Ross Poultry fleet operates from four locations in England and two in Scotland and each vehicle must be capable of carrying a six-tonne payload of eggs and 40,000 to 50,000 day-old chicks on deliveries, with internal body temperatures maintained at between 70-80 degrees centigrade.
The new delivery vehicles are also fitted with grp air deflectors and under bumper airdams as well as grp sideguards.