Weight confusior dears Hanson
Page 18
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Overloading charges again: M F Hanson (Transport) and one of its drivers were dropped by Bingley Magistrates following evidence of different results from two weighbridge tests on the same vehicle at the Department of Transport' testing station at Steeton.
Traffic examiner Sandy Stewart said that when he haC weighed a four-axled tipper being driven by George Shirtcliffe at the DTp weighbridge at Steeton he haC found that the first axle had weighed 6,685kg — an overload of some 9.5%. Shirtcliffe had had a weight ticket from TiIcon which showed that the gross weight had been within the permitted maximum at an approximate weight of 18,800kg for the tw• rear compensating axles.
In reply to Jonathan Lawton defending, Stewart said that if the compensating axles had weighed 18,800kg it was unlikely that the first or secon axle weights would have been exceeded, but it was only an approximate weight which should not have been relied upon by the driver. He accepted that the Tilcon weigl ticket had shown a gross weight of 30,480kg and that the Steeton weight certificate had showed a gross weight of 30,590kg, but maintained that difference of 110kg was "trivial".
Stewart initially said that he could not remember issuing a second weight certificate at Steeton.
When shown a second weight certificate, however, h said that it was not authoritative as he could not b certain whether the driver hat been in or out of the cab,
Lawton pointed out that the weights shown in the two weight certificates at Steeton varied. The first certificate gave a first axle weight of 6,685kg, a second axle weight of 5,735kg, compensating axle weight of 18,170kg, and a gross weight of 30,590kg. Th( second certificate gave a first axle weight of 6,630kg, a second axle weight of 5,755kg compensating axles weight of 18,195kg, and a gross weight of 30,580kg.