Double support legs on new semi-trailer
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AMAJOR replacement and modernization programme has been started by Union Cartage Co. Ltd., one of the biggest A-licensed refrigerated transport operators.
The company's home fleet at present consists of a mixture of container-carrying rigid platform and drawbar-trailer platform vehicles, and articulated vehicles.
First phase of the modernization programme is the introduction of 103 new articulated outfits consisting of single axle 24ft Crane Fruehauf refrigerated Vanguard vans and Guy Big J4 tractors, to carry a payload of 14 tons at 24 tons g.t.w. Overall length of the outfits is 33ft 8in.
They are insulated by foamed-in-situ urethane foam 4in. thick on the floor, walls and doors and 6in. thick on the ceiling. Petter Thermo King KL refrigeration units enable goods to be carried at a 100 deg F temperature differential, i.e. ambient at 90 deg F, and goods at 10 deg. F.
The vans incorporate a number of special features specified by Union Cartage to meet the congested conditions of meat markets.
Special features specified by Union Cartage include a second set of support legs attached to the front bulkhead. These are fitted in addition to the standard support legs as an added safety feature to prevent any possibility of collapse if a van is grossly overloaded at the front end while the rear is empty. The additional support legs are of tubular steel and when not in use slide up to stow against the front bulkhead.
Other special features specified by Union Cartage are additional operating handles, for the standard two-speed support legs, which enable drivers to raise or lower the legs from both sides or from underneath the vehicle.
All the vans are fitted with Crane Fruehauf Pro-Par axles.