Draymate lifts up the barrel
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• The prototype of a novel trailer loading device has just gone into service with the northern division of the Bass brewery. Trenchtnan Lining Systems, a general engineering firm of Oldham, Lanes, built the Draymate to the specification of Bass North regional fleet engineer Jack Blackband. He wanted a oneman operated loading/unloading device capable of handling barrels up to 200kg in weight, which would not encroach on trailer platform space.
The Draymate has a 24V electric motor mounted in a gantry which runs on rails mounted in the trailer roof. Its loading arm swings out 0.9m from the trailer side to enable barrels to be picked from or lowered into cellars up to 12.2m deep.
Blackband is conducting his trial of the Draymate on a 7.9m curtain-sided semi-trailer, the unladen weight of which has been increased by about 400kg by its fitment.
Trenchman predicts increasing interest in devices like the Draymate from brewers and other hauliers as Health and Safety regulations are tightened. The company says the unit can be upgraded to lift up to 500kg, and further refinements like building the rails into the roof to reduce intrusion are also planned.