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HOW THEY WORK Moving-floor trailers comprise a series of hydraulically
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powered slats that move longitudinally along the trailer, first towards the front bulkhead and then towards the rear. The slats are usually aluminium; hightensile steel slats are an alternative for rough loads.
The slats move in a one-two-three sequence, so one-third of the slats are moving while the other two sections stay static. This provides enough friction between the load and the floor to prevent forward movement. Once all three sections have moved forwards all the slats move rearwards simultaneously, shifting the load rearwards. The number of slats depends on the size of the trailer. Slats vary ii thickness from 4-10mm and the more abrasive the load, the thicker the slat needs to be to resist wear. Buckled slats can impair or even prevent the actuation of the floor.
The hydraulic drive units are underslung beneath the floor, ahead of the running gear. Actual speed of unloading is determined by the amount of hydraulic fluid circulating through the pump. Keith specifies hydraulics capable of pumping 200 litres of fluid a minute, and quotes an unloading time of under four minutes for its Running Floor II system.