• I operate a small fleet of semi-trailers and when
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carrying a certain type of roller mounted pallet, unloading would be greatly facilitated if the front of the trailer could be raised, say, 12in. to 2ft above its normal position to give a useful slope to the floor. The facility would possibly be advantageous in other ways. Is lifting gear available that would be suitable for fitting to a standard type of semi-trailer?
A Fifth-wheel lifting equipment is available that enables the fifth-wheel of a motive unit to be raised 12/24in. by hydraulic ram
gear. This equipment was developed to enable a semi-trailer to be moved short distances in a docks or depot without retracting the landing legs. but could be used for the specific purpose you mention. The fifth-wheel is mounted on a pivoted arm or scissors mechanism and is elevated by hydraulic ram gear located in a horizontal position.
Bartlett Trailer Corporation, 6850W, 63rd Street, Chicago, Ill., USA, produces equipment of this type having hydraulic (or pneumatic) lifting gear, which is marketed in this country by the York Trailer Co. Ltd. A similar type of gear will shortly be produced in the UK by a well-known equipment maker.
Special versions of the Bartlett gear cater for low-lift tipping operations. models being available with lifts up to 6ft. The company also manufactures a tipping retractable trailer equipped with an elevating gear comprising an hydraulically operated open-frame-type lever mechanism.