Hybrid parcels carrier
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by Bryan Jarvis • Express specialist Parceline has developed a novel concept vehicle that combines elements of rigid, artic and drawbar design.
The rig, built by Wheelbase Engineering, has a specially converted 4x2 rigid which hitches to a single axle "dolly convertor" with fixed VBG fifth wheel for coupling to a 9.8m tandem-axled semitrailer.
The outfit will operate between Parceline's Smethwick hub and its various depots.
The prime mover can also carry out solo parcel deliveries while the trailer is reloaded and used with one of the company's lowdeck tractive units.
Originally a 4.8m 17-tonner, the Mercedes 1931's axle spread has been shortened to 4.35m.
The chassis has been extended by 150mm to accept a 6.1m twin-deck GRP boxvan body with a dry-freight moving floor. The semi-trailer's 9.8m wedge-shaped, forward tapering body tops out at 4.4m and accommodates walk-in loading.
It can adapt to varying dock heights via the independent height adjustment on the air-sprung RO-R running gear with its 17.5in tyre equipment.
Both bodies were built by Manchester-based Harry Jackson and the 120m3, 35-tonne GTW outfit operates within the 18m limit through using a Jimecal close-coupling drawbeam system.
On tight turns sensor bars at the front of the trailer activate air valves when contact is made with the back of the unit. This pushes the trailer rearwards via the extendible drawbeam ram.
As the rig straightens the ram retracts hydraulically, using power supplied by a drive wheel in contact with a road wheel on the dolly convertor. The beam retracts fully from maximum extension in 250m of travel.
According to Parceline engineers, the outfit tracks more positively than a traditional artic and is relatively easy to manoeuvre when reversing. However there's a second VBG hitch at the front of the rigid to enable the trailer to be shunted through the tightest corners.
With Parceline's threeway express parcels operation the new vehicles provide extra flexibility.
So far Parceline has two prime movers and four trailers—others will probably be added once its training programme has been completed.
Meanwhile the company is putting another 14 Mercedes 1831 low-height tractive units on the road. All have VBG's dual-height fifth wheels and are capable of coupling with its maxi-cube and conventional trailers as well as those of the new concept rigs.