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Cover up job
Page 44
Page 45
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The days of clambering on vehicles to 'tarp over' body, skip or container loads are all but gone today's sheets range from simple pull-over covers to sophisticated cab-operated devices.
Words: Bryan Jarvis Modern automatic sheeting systems have virtually eliminated the traditional handball methods of covering tipper bodies or waste containers and skips, and the need to climb up the body sides too. Health and safety regulation, environmental pressure, insurance group interest and the current litigious climate have put paid to all that, and auto-sheets are a 'must fit' item for almost every haulage company.
In the current economic climate, fleets want extra value to stay ahead of the competition — and an auto-sheet, such as Hyva's (shown left) will offer this and much more besides. Drivers of skip or container trucks don't have to waste time sheeting up, which dramatically increases productivity and the overall efficiency of such vehicles. In some cases. they are able to collect an extra skip per day and an operator may even have two vehicles doing the work of three.
But it isn't just the waste industry that can see improved profitability, as cover manufacturer Harsh is quick to be point out. In recent years, traditional tipper hauliers have been savaged by increasing fuel costs as well as loading, gross weight and urban access restrictions, so any saving on driver hours is of major significance. DAWBARN'S safety sheeting systems cater for all types of vehicles, bodies and applications, from its quality 'flip over' systems for various front-to-rear sheeting applications to the Hydroclear and VVraptor sideto-side bulk body coverings.
The latter has been further developed and is now available for bodies up to 11.5m long, and without any intermediate support. This provides obstruction-free loading over the full length of the vehicle, and removes the risk of support hoop damage.
Dawbarn's new front-to-back hydraulically powered Hydra Slide system is due for launch in the new year and many UK and European bodybuilders and hauliers have already expressed a keen interest in it.
For the waste industry, Dawbarn products include the Hydra Wing netting system, which is aimed squarely at moving-floor, ejector and tipping vehicles whose loads require containment to meet environmental legislation. Hook-loader vehicles are catered for with the Hyroller system. Before the financial markets went into freefall, Dawbam held a commanding 70% share of the UK's tipper and waste markets, and exported to Egypt and Saudi Arabia, with sales into EC markets via Senalu and Legras, With legislation due to take effect across the EC next year, the Wisbech-based manufacturer is well-placed to take advantage once the money markets recover.
However, many of the available auto sheets are produced or derived from overseas. One such supplier is Italian company Atiblift, which supplies hookand skip-loaders through its Derby-based UK distributor Truck Specialists — part of the Ramshorn Group.
Atib's sheet systems match its hook-lifts, which fit chassis from 7 5t to 32t GVVV and containers up to 55yd', and up to lift high by 22ft long.
Their arms are fixed and use four hydraulic rams to lay the sheet over containers.