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Do you want to comment on any of the stories in Commercial witnt? Does someone in the industry deserve a pat on the back—or a public dressing down? Or is there simply something you want to say to our readers? Don't keep it to yourseff —drop us a line at CM Letters, Rm H203, Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5AS. Alternatively, you can fax your letter to us on 0181 652 8971 or e-mail it to Nbles.Brinallcrti.co.uk Letters may be edited for length and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor.
Height warning kits
your readers in the tipper industry might be interested in our interpretation of the Construction and Use Regulations due to come into force today (1 October) with regard to height warning devices.
I have read recent advertisements for height warning devices, the Fleet Focus article by Steve Banner and the notes contained in the Trailer Law wallchart (both in CM 17-23 Sept).
All contain elements of the regulations but none clarifies completely the regulations with regard to the tipping industry.
The comment by We!ford Truck Bodies is correct in that rigid tippers registered before 1 April 1998 are exempt, but a tractor unit registered before 1 April 1998 pulling a trailer first built after 1 April 1998 is not, From 1 October these units will need to be fitted with the appropriate visible warning device and a height indicator if the overall travelling height exceeds 3.0 metres.
I understand that most lorry-loader suppliers and manufacturers are supplying their equipment with audible warnings which change in tone as the crane nears the overload condition. This is a useful device but nowhere in the new regulations does it require an audible warning device to be fitted, either as a retro-fit or as a part of a new installation.
The majority of tippers are designed to go on to overload at the end of the cylinder's stroke, and in many instances are required to remain tipped for long periods. I can see no advantage in tipper operators fitting audible warnings.
I agree with Doug Dyson that drivers would be likely to take the law into their own hands if confronted with a constant buzz while tipping Tarmac into a hopper.
We believe the only demand for over-height warning kits in the retro-fit market is for tractor units fitted with a wet kit that will pull trailers built after 1 April.
These units either have a rank mounted or remote hydraulic valve with a supply pipe leading to the trailer tipping ram. A simple in-line pressure switch leading to a light in the cab with a suitable height warning label will, we believe, meet the requirements for this type of combination.
Brian Alcock
Underfloor Tipping Gears, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear